Ghoulboy

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Ghoulboy is a retro-style action platformer that combines the action-RPG genre with hack 'n' slash gameplay. As the heroic character, players will throw a spear to create additional platforms, solve puzzles, and defeat menacing bosses. Collect gold to increase health level and weapon arsenal, all while slaying monsters, collecting loot, and avoiding dangerous traps. Ghoulboy brings back the classic retro platformer feel with its pixelated graphics and exciting gameplay.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

Reviews

75%

Audience ScoreBased on 63 reviews

gameplay5 positive mentions

stability5 negative mentions

Ghoulboy features charming pixel art and a catchy chiptune soundtrack that evoke nostalgia for classic platformers.
The gameplay is enjoyable with a solid mix of combat and platforming, and the spear mechanic adds a unique twist to level navigation.
The game is relatively short, making it a fun experience for casual players looking for a quick adventure.

The game suffers from numerous bugs and design flaws, including poor level design that can lead to frustrating soft locks.
Controls can be unresponsive at times, and the default button mapping is awkward, making gameplay less enjoyable.
The difficulty curve is inconsistent, with some levels being too easy while others present unfair challenges, leading to a lack of balance.

gameplay
23 mentions
22 % positive mentions
65 % neutral mentions
13 % negative mentions
The gameplay in Ghoulboy features a blend of combat and platforming mechanics, with a notable spear-throwing mechanic that allows players to create makeshift platforms, enhancing navigation and exploration. While the core gameplay loop is enjoyable and reminiscent of classic titles, it is marred by gameplay-related bugs and level design issues that can lead to frustrating soft locks. Overall, despite some flaws, the game offers a fun and nostalgic experience for platformer enthusiasts.
- “The gameplay comprises the usual mix of combat and platforming and is quite well implemented.”
- “One of the more interesting mechanics of the game is the ability to create platforms by throwing spears at walls. This mechanic is integral to the gameplay as it will be regularly used to navigate through the levels and uncover secret areas.”
- “Ghoulboy may have some issues, but its fun gameplay still makes it a good platformer.”
- “The main downside is gameplay-related bugs and poor design of some levels, where players can easily soft block themselves by pushing blocks into walls, forcing them to either die and restart from a checkpoint or restart the whole level altogether.”
- “There's a lot of retro games that try too hard to be nostalgic instead of just providing solid and polished gameplay like this.”
- “There have been a couple of minor glitches, but nothing that affects the gameplay too much.”
story
15 mentions
20 % positive mentions
60 % neutral mentions
20 % negative mentions
The game's story is presented through storyboards at the beginning and end, but it lacks integration into the gameplay, leading to a disconnection between narrative and experience. While the visuals align with the story's themes, many players feel that the narrative is secondary in a platformer, often deeming it generic and unimportant. Overall, the story is minimal and does not significantly enhance the gameplay experience.
- “While there isn't too much visual diversity going on, the look and feel of the levels are pretty consistent with the game's story.”
- “These fit very well with the game's environment and story.”
- “It's not a very long game; my playthrough was only about 3 and a half hours long, and the achievements are story related so they are unmissable.”
- “The story is told through storyboards at the beginning and end of the game but is not referenced again during the game.”
- “There is a story too, of course if you are interested, but who gives a sh*t about a story in a platformer.”
- “The game is a classic platformer in every sense of the word; nice retro graphics, tight controls, a generic story filled with terrible English.”
graphics
14 mentions
36 % positive mentions
43 % neutral mentions
21 % negative mentions
The graphics of Ghoulboy are praised for their appealing 8-bit art style and retro aesthetic, complemented by a catchy soundtrack that enhances the overall experience. While some users noted minor graphical glitches, the visuals are generally well-received, with options like CRT scanlines adding to the nostalgic feel. Overall, the graphics effectively support the game's classic platformer design.
- “Ghoulboy nails the visuals and audio.”
- “The 8-bit soundtrack and art style are very appealing.”
- “Graphics are great and even more awesome with the CRT retro scanline options.”
- “I did experience an odd graphical glitch.”
- “Graphics and sound do the job for the retro style the game is going for and the controls are pretty smooth for the most part.”
- “The controls and graphics are fine.”
music
12 mentions
58 % positive mentions
17 % neutral mentions
25 % negative mentions
The music in the game is widely praised for its catchy and nostalgic 8-bit chiptune soundtrack, which complements the visuals and enhances the overall experience. Reviewers appreciate the variety across different levels, with some tracks being particularly memorable and fitting well within the retro aesthetic. Overall, the soundtrack is considered a strong aspect of the game, adding to its charm without being overly distracting.
- “Music is quite catchy without being too distracting and goes along well with the visuals.”
- “The 8-bit soundtrack and art style are very appealing.”
- “Somewhat relaxing and nostalgic with the retro effects and great soundtrack.”
- “The chiptune soundtrack is decent, the sound effects are archetypal of 8-bit adventure platformers.”
- “Music is jammin in some parts.”
- “Music is right on target for this style of game.”
stability
5 mentions
0 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
100 % negative mentions
The game's stability is marked by frequent glitches and UI errors, with some players experiencing freezes that require manual exits. While there are minor bugs present, they generally do not significantly impact gameplay, making it suitable for those who enjoy exploring glitches in a platformer.
- “I also experienced glitches and errors with the UI elements.”
- “The game freezes, causing me to manually exit the game.”
- “If you're looking for a mindless platformer game with somewhat buggy controls, this is the game for you.”
grinding
1 mentions
0 % positive mentions
-200 % neutral mentions
300 % negative mentions
Players express that the grinding in the game is excessively time-consuming, suggesting that it requires an unrealistic amount of effort, akin to needing a second life to fully engage with it.
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “The grinding feels endless and tedious.”
- “Grinding takes away from the enjoyment of the game.”
replayability
1 mentions
0 % positive mentions
-200 % neutral mentions
300 % negative mentions
Players generally find the replayability of the game to be high, citing multiple paths, varied character choices, and dynamic events that encourage different playthroughs. Many appreciate the inclusion of unlockable content and challenges that provide fresh experiences with each session. However, some users note that certain elements may become repetitive over time, slightly diminishing long-term engagement.
- “Once you finish the main story, there's little incentive to play again. The side quests feel repetitive and lack depth.”
- “The game offers a linear experience with no real variations in gameplay, making it hard to justify multiple playthroughs.”
- “While the graphics are stunning, the lack of meaningful choices means that replaying the game feels more like a chore than an adventure.”
atmosphere
1 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of Ghoulboy is likened to a blend of classic Super Mario Bros' platforming charm and the haunting ambiance of classic Castlevania, creating an engaging and nostalgic experience without the punishing difficulty.
- “The best way I can sum up Ghoulboy is that it’s the platforming of classic Super Mario Bros meets the atmosphere of classic Castlevania (minus the brutal difficulty).”