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Gravity Ghost

Gravity Ghost hits the notes of big-budget platformers on a smaller scale; its story fumbles along the way, but it's short and sweet.
Gravity Ghost Game Cover
84%Game Brain Score
story, gameplay
grinding, replayability
97% User Score Based on 269 reviews
Critic Score 67%Based on 8 reviews

Platforms

LinuxPCPlaystation 5Mac OSPlaystation 4WindowsPlayStation
Gravity Ghost Game Cover

About

Gravity Ghost is a single player action adventure game with fantasy and science fiction themes. It was developed by Ivy Games and was released on January 26, 2015. It received mostly positive reviews from critics and overwhelmingly positive reviews from players.

Gravity Ghost is a peaceful, non-violent gravity-based game where you play as Iona, a ghost searching for her lost friend. Explore a handpainted galaxy, solve unique gravity challenges, and meet magical guardians. Features 100+ levels, 10+ powerups, and a beautiful original soundtrack. Discover the story through 25+ minutes of animation hidden throughout the game. Available on Windows, Mac, and Linux.

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97%
Audience ScoreBased on 269 reviews
story125 positive mentions
grinding5 negative mentions

  • The game features a beautiful hand-drawn art style and a captivating soundtrack that enhances the overall experience.
  • Gravity Ghost offers a unique and engaging gameplay mechanic centered around gravity, allowing for creative puzzle-solving.
  • The story is touching and well-written, exploring themes of loss and personal growth in a way that resonates emotionally with players.
  • The game is relatively short, with a playtime of around 2-4 hours, which may not justify the price for some players.
  • Some players may find the gameplay too easy, lacking significant challenge as many levels can be completed quickly.
  • The voice acting and cutscene animations can feel inconsistent, with some performances lacking polish and clarity.
  • story
    258 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The story of "Gravity Ghost" is a poignant and emotionally resonant journey that unfolds through a series of non-linear vignettes, allowing players to piece together the protagonist's past and themes of loss and acceptance. While some find the storytelling method disjointed or cluttered, many appreciate its heartfelt narrative and the way it harmonizes with the game's beautiful art and music. Overall, the narrative is described as touching, engaging, and capable of evoking strong emotions, making it a standout aspect of the game.

    • “The story is simple but heartbreaking and the pacing is excellent.”
    • “Gravity Ghost is a beautiful physics platformer wrapped around a sweet and touching story.”
    • “The voice acting, art style, and gameplay all perfectly harmonize together to deliver what truly feels like a storybook experience made into a game.”
    • “The actual story of the game is presented in a fragmented sort of way that was more confusing than interesting.”
    • “There was also just a lot of story beats and details that were not needed to tell this kind of story, yet I guess they were included for the sake of charm.”
    • “It's not that the story is bad, exactly; rather, it's underwhelming and doesn't carry much weight.”
  • gameplay
    191 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The gameplay in "Gravity Ghost" is characterized by its unique gravity-based mechanics that allow players to navigate through various planets, creating a blend of relaxing yet engaging physics platforming. While many players appreciate the innovative mechanics and charming aesthetics, some find the gameplay to be simplistic or occasionally tedious, with a lack of challenge in certain levels. Overall, the game offers a short but enjoyable experience, combining fun mechanics with a touching narrative and beautiful visuals.

    • “The gameplay is fun and the story is touching.”
    • “Gravity Ghost is a great game, certainly a more mechanically robust and sophisticated one than I would have expected, and you could play it for that side and come away impressed.”
    • “The gameplay, together with the music, is relaxing and mesmerizing -- while the levels do get progressively more complex, it never feels frustrating or impossible.”
    • “The biggest beef I actually have with this game is that some of the later power-ups you receive completely break the game and let you ignore some of the game's mechanics entirely.”
    • “But to me, the gameplay and accompanying collect-a-thon are more tedious than anything else.”
    • “It's adorable and the story I saw looks like it's shaping up to be heartbreaking, but the gameplay is tedious and doesn't look to be evolving much.”
  • music
    148 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The music in the game is widely praised for its beauty and emotional depth, with many reviewers highlighting the work of composer Ben Prunty, known for his previous work on *FTL: Faster Than Light*. The soundtrack is described as calming, enchanting, and perfectly suited to the game's whimsical art style and narrative, enhancing the overall experience. While most players find the music to be a standout feature, a few critiques mention a desire for more variety in the tracks.

    • “The music is beautifully crafted and perfectly complements the game's enchanting atmosphere, making it a truly immersive experience.”
    • “Gravity Ghost features a stunning soundtrack by Ben Prunty that enhances the emotional depth of the game, creating a captivating and relaxing experience.”
    • “The combination of gorgeous visuals and a mesmerizing soundtrack makes this game a delightful journey through space, filled with charm and wonder.”
    • “I thought that the game soundtrack was okay, but it wasn't noteworthy or didn't enhance the gameplay experience.”
    • “It has a serviceable soundtrack with questionable sample quality that is a little better than the things you'd find on Newgrounds at the boon of flash games, but it is by no means 'great' and I cannot recommend paying extra for the soundtrack edition.”
    • “I find it interesting that the person who made this OST is apparently known for making the music to other games, though, and I find that more than a little disappointing.”
  • graphics
    94 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The graphics of the game are widely praised for their vibrant, hand-drawn art style, often described as a charming mix of crayon and pastel aesthetics that beautifully complement the game's themes and story. Many reviewers highlight the visuals as captivating and relaxing, contributing to an enchanting atmosphere, although some note inconsistencies in animation quality and a disconnect between cutscenes and gameplay graphics. Overall, the unique and colorful art style, along with a soothing soundtrack, enhances the emotional experience of the game.

    • “I adored the vibrant art style of this game!”
    • “The graphics and music are also incredibly pretty and relaxing.”
    • “The art style is beautiful; flat 2D, chalk or pastel type drawings that are just so pleasant to look at.”
    • “I found the art style to be weird and not that good.”
    • “No real graphics options, some stuttering, and occasional frame drops.”
    • “My only (mild) dislike of the game is here: there is a very disconnected art style between the cutscenes and game that some may find off-putting enough that it takes away from the experience.”
  • emotional
    51 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The emotional aspect of the game is widely praised, with many players noting its ability to evoke strong feelings, including tears, through its touching narrative about loss, acceptance, and personal connections. The storytelling is described as heartwarming yet heartbreaking, enhanced by beautiful visuals and music that create a deeply engaging atmosphere. While some players found the gameplay tedious, the emotional depth and compelling story left a lasting impact, making it a memorable experience.

    • “This game won my heart; the story is amazing and touching.”
    • “The story is simple but heartbreaking, and the pacing is excellent.”
    • “Everything from the art to the music to the story is wonderful, and it made me feel things that a video game hasn't made me feel for a long while.”
    • “I know that seems like a YouTuber complaining, but with some of the touching cutscenes here, it would be nice to be able to replay them easily.”
  • atmosphere
    19 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The atmosphere of "Gravity Ghost" is characterized by a charming and serene blend of cute visuals and calming soundscapes, evolving from a lighthearted tone to darker undertones as the game progresses. Players appreciate the ethereal, otherworldly quality that evokes nostalgia and encourages a relaxed, immersive experience, making it a perfect fit for those who enjoy atmospheric indie games focused on exploration and puzzle-solving without the pressure of failure. The game's painted graphics and evocative soundtrack further enhance its enchanting ambiance, creating a captivating environment that draws players in.

    • “The graphics and sound combine to form a nice relaxing atmosphere.”
    • “The atmosphere is very calm and serene and you can't die (obviously because you're already a ghost...), which makes the game very relaxing.”
    • “The space-y and emotional atmosphere given by the music is strongly evocative of the sound in 'FTL', and if you were a fan of Ben Prunty's masterful soundtrack there you are in for a serious treat with the sounds of 'Gravity Ghost'.”
    • “The atmosphere of the game starts cute and positive but gets a lot of darker tones later.”
    • “The atmosphere of the game reminds me of Endless Ocean and games of its type.”
    • “The space-y and emotional atmosphere given by the music is strongly evocative of the sound in FTL, and if you were a fan of Ben Prunty's masterful soundtrack there you are in for a serious treat with the sounds of Gravity Ghost.”
  • humor
    9 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The humor in the game is a mixed bag, featuring a blend of "dad jokes" and darker themes that sometimes clash with its spiritual aesthetic. While some players find the comedic moments genuinely funny and heartwarming, others feel the tone can be inconsistent, oscillating between childish humor and more serious topics. Overall, the writing is praised for its ability to evoke both laughter and emotional depth.

    • “The writing ranges from funny 'dad jokes' to more sad and serious topics.”
    • “But the game also doesn't take itself too seriously and there are some great humorous moments.”
    • “Surprisingly hilarious when it wants to be and oddly heartwarming.”
    • “The comedy feels rough, like an unfunny joke told by a friend or relative.”
    • “The humor falls flat and often feels forced, lacking genuine wit.”
    • “The attempts at humor are cringeworthy and miss the mark completely.”
  • grinding
    5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and disorienting, often detracting from the overall experience despite the charming story and calming art and music. While some boss encounters offer variety, the repetitive nature of the gameplay can lead to frustration, making it less engaging for some players.

    • “But to me, the gameplay and accompanying collect-a-thon are more tedious than anything else.”
    • “It's adorable and the story I saw looks like it's shaping up to be heartbreaking, but the gameplay is tedious and doesn't look to be evolving much.”
    • “The 'boss' encounters vary wildly in how easy they are, and some are more tedious than others.”
  • replayability
    5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Overall, the game's replayability is mixed; while it is relatively short and primarily driven by its story, many players find it enjoyable enough to revisit. The non-linear narrative adds some replay value, though it largely hinges on achievements and the desire to relive the experience. Despite some limitations, players express a willingness to return to this engaging title.

    • “While the game is short and many will finish it within a few hours of play, it's such an enjoyable experience that it should be very replayable.”
    • “The overarching story kept me playing through it for longer stretches than I'd usually allocate to a puzzle/physics game; the non-linear narrative contributes to its replay value.”
    • “Replayability isn't super high, and that's probably the only bad thing I'll ever say about this game. It's not even that bad, especially for a game where a lot of its impact comes from the story.”
    • “Replayability is somewhat limited to just achievements, but I personally was immersed enough to know I will be revisiting this hidden gem from time to time.”
    • “If you're looking for replay value, it mostly lies in the achievements, but you may also find yourself wanting to experience something from the story once more as well.”
  • optimization
    4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's optimization is lacking, with no significant graphics options, noticeable stuttering, and occasional frame drops. While the voice acting quality varies, with some standout performances, the overall sound quality and script do not fully support exceptional delivery. The soundtrack by Ben Prunty is a highlight, enhancing the game's atmosphere despite the optimization issues.

    • “Ben Prunty's soundtrack provides a wonderful counterpoint, feeling spacey and grand without feeling too isolated, and the voice acting is solid across the board, particularly Ashly Burch's performances.”
    • “No real graphics options, some stuttering, and occasional frame drops.”
    • “The voice acting is also hit or miss: some performances shine including the main character, Iona, while others have sound quality issues and just don't sound quite right.”
    • “The script doesn't really lend itself to standout voice performances, but they're quite solid.”
  • character development
    3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Character development is highly praised, as it fosters a strong emotional connection with the characters, enhanced by the game's beautiful art and sound design. The creative and endearing extraterrestrial character designs contribute to an engaging and immersive experience.

    • “The character development has kept me caring for everyone on screen, and the art and sound tie it together nicely.”
    • “You could play it because it’s beautiful and inspired, bursting with creativity and this sort of creepy but endearing sensibility to its extraterrestrial character designs.”
    • “The character development feels shallow and lacks depth, making it hard to connect with the characters on a meaningful level.”
    • “I found the character arcs to be predictable and uninspired, leaving me disappointed with their growth throughout the game.”
    • “Despite the interesting premise, the character development is poorly executed, resulting in flat personalities that fail to engage the player.”
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4h Median play time
5h Average play time
3-7h Spent by most gamers
*Based on 3 analyzed playthroughs
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Frequently Asked Questions

Gravity Ghost is a action adventure game with fantasy and science fiction themes.

Gravity Ghost is available on PC, PlayStation 5, Mac OS, PlayStation 4 and others.

On average players spend around 5 hours playing Gravity Ghost.

Gravity Ghost was released on January 26, 2015.

Gravity Ghost was developed by Ivy Games.

Gravity Ghost has received mostly positive reviews from players and mostly positive reviews from critics. Most players liked this game for its story but disliked it for its grinding.

Gravity Ghost is a single player game.

Similar games include Planet of Lana, Contrast, A Story About My Uncle, Gris, The Gardens Between and others.