Ghoulboy

About

Ghoulboy is a single player casual role playing game. It was developed by Serkan Bakar and was released on November 29, 2017. It received mostly positive reviews from players.

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

Skip User Reviews

62%

Audience ScoreBased on 120 reviews

gameplay12 positive mentions

stability5 negative mentions

Charming retro graphics reminiscent of classic 16-bit games, enhancing the nostalgic experience.
Engaging gameplay with a unique spear mechanic that allows players to create platforms and solve puzzles.
Fun and varied level design with a decent length, providing a satisfying challenge without being overly punishing.

Controls can be unresponsive at times, leading to frustrating gameplay experiences, especially during precise platforming sections.
Some levels feature poorly designed traps and blind jumps that can result in unfair deaths, detracting from the overall enjoyment.
The game suffers from bugs and glitches, including issues with weapon switching and menu navigation, which can disrupt the flow of play.

gameplay
38 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
32%
60%
8%
The gameplay of "Ghoulboy - Dark Sword of Goblin" is generally well-received, featuring a mix of hack-and-slash combat and puzzle-platforming elements, with a unique spear-throwing mechanic that allows players to create makeshift platforms. However, some players have noted issues such as gameplay-related bugs, poor level design that can lead to frustrating soft locks, and control lag, which detracts from the overall experience. Despite these drawbacks, many find the gameplay enjoyable and reminiscent of classic retro titles, making it a solid choice for fans of the genre.
- “Now let’s get into the likes, the gameplay is very good and in a lot of ways it's an improvement over their previous game. It feels a lot more fair, although there is a downgrade and some bunk, but I'll get to that in the dislikes. Also, it's a bit of a puzzle platformer as well as a hack and slash one.”
- “So then with that all said, Ghoulboy - Dark Sword of Goblin is a good hack and slash platformer, done by the same people that made Mahluk: Dark Demon. This game is even better than that, with very good gameplay, a good story, and good graphics. I definitely recommend getting this game if you are looking for a nice retro-styled hack and slash puzzle game.”
- “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.”
- “The main downside are gameplay-related bugs and poor design of some levels, where the 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.”
- “A very amateurish attempt at creating a metroidvania game, charming you with the graphics, but quickly backstabbing you with poor mechanics and design.”
- “Controls are garbage; they even lag for some reason, not registering on time, missing much-needed dodge or block mechanics, overall a waste of time.”
graphics
27 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
44%
45%
11%
The graphics of the game are widely praised for their vibrant, retro-inspired pixel art that evokes nostalgia for classic side-scrollers and 16-bit aesthetics. Many reviewers appreciate the charming designs and the variety of graphical styles available, which enhance the overall experience, although some note minor glitches and a lack of innovation in gameplay mechanics. Overall, the visuals are considered a strong point, complementing the game's casual yet engaging atmosphere.
- “A cool little platformer, casual but also some tricky parts, lovely old TV/VHS/16-bit graphics.”
- “The graphics are very colorful with some nice designs that really capture the feel of classic side scrollers. It’s both spooky yet also adorable in a way with its designs and colors.”
- “You can tell this was made with a lot of love, especially from the assortment of custom retro filters you can run the graphics through.”
- “A very amateurish attempt at creating a metroidvania game, charming you with the graphics, but quickly backstabbing you with poor mechanics and design.”
- “I did experience an odd graphical glitch.”
- “There are a lot of ways to do retro, far more than just throwing something together with blocky pixel graphics.”
music
24 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
46%
41%
13%
The music in the game is generally well-received, with many players appreciating its catchy, nostalgic 8-bit style that complements the visuals and overall theme. While some tracks are noted for their repetitive nature, the soundtrack is described as fitting and enjoyable, enhancing the gameplay experience without being overly distracting. Overall, the music contributes positively to the game's classic vibe, with some levels evoking memories of iconic titles like Mega Man and Castlevania.
- “The music was good; it really fit the game’s classic vibe very well.”
- “Somewhat relaxing and nostalgic with the retro effects and great soundtrack.”
- “Music is amazing; I can't really say much about it, but it didn't feel repetitive, and each new level had a nice sound to it.”
- “Except for the boss track, only one song loops through the whole game.”
- “The music sounds like it's on a 2 and a half minute loop and will get irritating after listening to it for a while.”
- “As a die-hard horror fan, I wanted this game to be like the tags say it is 'Castlevania.' Sadly, the only thing Castlevania in it is the asset packs used and the music.”
story
23 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
13%
74%
13%
The story of "Ghoulboy - Dark Sword of Goblin" is a straightforward narrative centered around a classic rescue mission, featuring a few twists that add charm. While the plot is simple and primarily conveyed through storyboards at the beginning and end, it lacks depth and emotional engagement, aligning with the retro platformer style. Overall, the story serves its purpose but is not a focal point of the gameplay experience.
- “The story is good, a bit more detailed than their other game. It’s still a simple stop the bad guy story, but it does have a little twist at the end I felt was adorable and cool.”
- “The evil king imprisons the man out of fear of a prophecy that the hunter will one day topple his reign, but this only sets the boy out on a quest to rescue his father.”
- “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.”
- “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.”
- “A basic rescue the kidnapped princess type of story, nothing too deep where you would feel emotions towards the character.”
stability
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
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 more suitable for those who enjoy exploring glitches.
- “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.”
humor
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is largely derived from its quirky keybindings and amusing translation errors, which contribute to its retro charm. However, many players feel that the overall comedic elements fall flat, especially considering the game's short playtime and questionable pricing.
- “The keybindings of the controller are a bit funny.”
- “Also, the in-game menu keeps the funny config.”
- “There are some translation errors and odd sentences that are funny ("galdar have been freed off a long thraldom!") but add to the charm of the retro style.”
replayability
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
75%
75%
The game offers limited replayability, typically taking only 2-3 hours to complete, with most players finding little incentive to replay it. However, some users suggest alternative playthroughs, such as avoiding upgrades or attempting to finish without continues, as a way to enhance the experience.
- “The game offers a choose-your-path mechanic that significantly increases its replay value.”
- “Each playthrough feels fresh due to the diverse choices available, making you want to come back for more.”
- “With multiple endings and varied character interactions, the replayability is off the charts!”
- “What's hilarious about this is that it's a game that you can defeat in about 2-3 hours, with no replay value, so how do they conclude it's worth $8 despite doing nothing to validate its price increase?”
- “For this type of game, normally there would be no replay value, but I guess you could play without upgrading your weapon or health bar and try to beat it without using a continue.”
- “- a type of choose your path to increase replay value”
atmosphere
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The atmosphere of Ghoulboy is characterized by a blend of nostalgic platforming reminiscent of classic Super Mario Bros, combined with the eerie and immersive ambiance typical of classic Castlevania, all while maintaining a more accessible difficulty level.
- “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).”
grinding
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players appreciate that the game avoids tedious grinding for achievements, as progression naturally leads to earning them.
- “You earn achievements through progression, so there's no grinding for achievements in this game.”