GHOSTWARE: Arena of the Dead

84%
Game Brain Score Based on 136 reviews
  • story
  • gameplay
  • music
GHOSTWARE: Arena of the Dead Game Cover
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In "Ghostware: Arena of the Dead," play as Molly, a soul trapped in a magical arena shooter with five others. Explore diverse dimensions, from a decaying cyber-afterlife to real-world locales, while uncovering a conspiracy surrounding the arena's creation. Experience a fusion of retro-FPS action and adventure game exploration.

  • PC
  • Windows
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

84%
Audience ScoreBased on 136 reviews
story28 positive mentions
stability3 negative mentions
  • The game offers a unique blend of nostalgia for 90s arena shooters with a fresh narrative twist, making it an interesting experience for fans of the genre.
  • Movement mechanics are engaging and fun, allowing for fluid gameplay reminiscent of classic titles like Unreal Tournament.
  • The aesthetic and atmosphere are well-crafted, with solid voice acting and a compelling story that encourages exploration and discovery.
  • The game suffers from inconsistent AI behavior, with both enemy and ally bots often feeling unresponsive or ineffective during combat.
  • Level design can be confusing and poorly structured, leading to moments of frustration as players navigate through disorienting environments.
  • The story can feel rushed and disjointed, with a lack of clarity in character motivations and plot progression, leaving players wanting more depth.
  • story104 mentions

    The story of the game is a mixed bag, with many players finding it intriguing yet confusing, often feeling disjointed and poorly paced. While it attempts to weave a narrative rich in themes of nostalgia and corporate power, the execution leaves much to be desired, leading to a lack of clarity and coherence as the plot progresses. Despite its flaws, the game offers engaging world-building and lore that rewards exploration, appealing to those who appreciate a deeper narrative experience in their gameplay.

    • “While being obviously influenced by the Unreal series in terms of aesthetics, the game pulls from a lot of influences ranging from 1984, Series 7: The Corrections, and No Players Online as you're immersed in a gripping story about interstellar corporate power, the intentional diminishment of the value of human life, and the evil that nostalgia is capable of.”
    • “The game turned out to be surprisingly narrative-driven, and luckily the story and worldbuilding are really interesting and definitely seem like the kind of thing that could be explored more in the future.”
    • “The story really shines in the message items you discover throughout the game, particularly the forums. It's a really engaging way to explore the story, especially as the story elements serve as a reward for exploration.”
    • “The story can be rather opaque and I'm not sure how much I eventually understood.”
    • “The story is... all over the place.”
    • “Imperfect translations, inconsistent and erratic pacing, and plot points that seem to go nowhere all result in a somewhat confusing experience.”
  • gameplay39 mentions

    The gameplay is a mixed bag, featuring solid shooting mechanics and enjoyable arena combat that shines in its fast-paced segments, but suffers from uneven pacing and a lack of depth in enemy AI and certain mechanics. While the game successfully captures the nostalgic feel of classic arena shooters, it struggles with narrative interruptions and a shift away from its initial gameplay style, leading to a less engaging experience in later chapters. Overall, it offers a fun experience with great ideas, but is hampered by inconsistencies and underutilized features.

    • “The combat during the arena sections of the game feels great though, it's easily where the game shines best in terms of gameplay, combined with some excellent movement mechanics to gain a ton of speed and feel cool doing it.”
    • “The gameplay is really fun and there are a lot of tiny hints to gems of that era.”
    • “Gameplay itself is solid and built around some modern yet mostly retro mechanics.”
    • “Sadly, the arena gameplay is fleeting, but due to the game's themes and narrative, it is also rather fitting that it often gets cut short.”
    • “It's definitely one of the most uneven boomer shooters on a gameplay level, but it is also one of the most interesting I've played in a while.”
    • “The messiness extends to the gameplay as well.”
  • music28 mentions

    The music in the game has received widespread acclaim, with many reviewers praising its atmospheric quality and nostalgic ties to classic titles like Unreal and Deus Ex. Composed by Mothership Loudspeakerz, the soundtrack features a mix of 90s-inspired jungle, drum and bass, and haunting ambient tracks that enhance the game's immersive experience. Overall, the music is highlighted as a standout element, contributing significantly to the game's unique vibe and atmosphere.

    • “Especially shoutout for the soundtrack, top notch!”
    • “The overall atmosphere created by the visuals, music, and level design is fantastic.”
    • “I absolutely loved the game’s art style, soundtrack, and atmosphere.”
    • “The moments when you have to explore a whole, empty map, with a creepy soundtrack is so relatable when you try to play an old game.”
    • “Soundtrack made of tracker music with 90s samples ranging from jungle/dnb to haunting ambient, it's all so very fitting to the theme of a resurrected game full of dead people.”
    • “There is no music.”
  • graphics22 mentions

    The graphics of the game are praised for their unique aesthetic, blending retro influences with modern design elements, creating a visually pleasing experience reminiscent of 90s arena FPS games. The art style is highlighted as a standout feature, effectively capturing the intended atmosphere and enhancing the storytelling. While the overall visuals are well-received, some reviewers suggest areas for improvement, particularly in differentiating between the game world and real-world settings.

    • “The overall atmosphere created by the visuals, music, and level design is fantastic.”
    • “They nailed the aesthetic in everything from character and environmental design, down to the UI.”
    • “Visually pleasing, successfully mimicking the intended aesthetic for the character models, maps, and weapons, good voice acting, and a really interesting story.”
    • “Sure, I get that the low-fidelity visuals are part of the game-within-a-game setting, though I think there should be a lot more in the way of visual distinction between the game world and touching (in-game) grass.”
    • “One other nitpick I have is relating to a late game spoiler, but personally, I think there should be a drastic change in art style in 03_ctf3 due to that map taking place in the real world.”
    • “I do like the visuals, but I think the dev is missing the point with some of the levels. It depends on the location; I think there is a lot of room for improvement. You could even rely more on platforming to create challenges since you can move so much in this game. Don't be afraid to create more verticality for the player to jump around.”
  • atmosphere12 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its fantastic blend of visuals, music, and level design, creating a haunting and nostalgic experience reminiscent of classic shooters. Players appreciate the iconic soundtrack and the eerie vibe that enhances gameplay, although some note that the storytelling elements do not fully match the atmospheric quality. Overall, the game successfully evokes a sense of mystery and discovery, making it a standout in its genre.

    • “The overall atmosphere created by the visuals, music, and level design is fantastic.”
    • “The general vibe of the game is really good with a comfortably eerie atmosphere.”
    • “After a frantic match of deathmatch, domination, or capture the flag, you can revisit the levels, but this time the atmosphere is very different.”
    • “Just a haunting atmosphere and the fear of the unknown in the virtual void... while you crouch slide, double jump, wall jump and try the level's limits to find all the secret places.”
    • “I think the game gets the atmosphere and the gameplay right for the most part, but when you look into the details, like the magic of unreal level design, it needs a lot of work.”
  • humor9 mentions

    The game's humor is a mixed bag, with some players enjoying its quirky moments and nostalgic references, while others find it shallow and clichéd. While there are instances of genuine laughter and clever storytelling, some reviewers feel the humor could be toned down or improved for a more impactful experience. Overall, it elicits a range of reactions, from appreciation to disappointment.

    • “My playermodel hilariously changed with that of another important character a few times.”
    • “Or even some quirky power-ups to add humorous effects to the game.”
    • “Simultaneously funny, nostalgic, and creepy all at the same time.”
  • emotional2 mentions

    Players express a sense of nostalgia and introspection, with some feeling a poignant reminder of aging as they navigate the game's low-fidelity visuals. While the aesthetic choice aligns with the game's concept, there is a desire for clearer visual differentiation to enhance emotional engagement.

    • “This game made me feel old.”
  • stability1 mentions

    Users report that the game exhibits significant stability issues, with frequent bugs affecting the overall experience.

    • “The game is plagued with bugs that disrupt the experience.”
    • “I encountered frequent crashes that made it unplayable at times.”
    • “There are numerous stability issues that need to be addressed.”
  • replayability1 mentions

    The game offers a moderate level of replayability, primarily revolving around the challenge of acquiring the final collectibles, though the overall experience is relatively brief.

    • “The game offers a decent amount of replayability, allowing players to explore different strategies and approaches.”
    • “Each playthrough feels unique, thanks to the variety of choices and outcomes available.”
    • “The challenge of collecting all the items keeps me coming back for more, making every session feel fresh.”
    • “There is a decent amount of replayability, but it's pretty quick and mostly revolves around having the right power to collect the last items.”
    • “Once you've completed the game, there's little incentive to go back; the experience feels repetitive and lacks new challenges.”
    • “The game offers minimal replay value, as the story remains the same and the choices you make don't significantly alter the outcome.”
  • character development1 mentions

    Character development in the game is seen as enjoyable, though some reviewers feel that it lacks the more extravagant character designs found in titles like Unreal or Quake 3. Overall, while the designs may not be as outlandish, they still contribute positively to the gaming experience.

Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

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