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.

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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.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

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

Reviews

97%

Audience ScoreBased on 267 reviews

story123 positive mentions

grinding5 negative mentions

Beautiful hand-drawn art style and a captivating soundtrack that enhances the overall experience.
Engaging gameplay mechanics that creatively utilize gravity, allowing for a unique and enjoyable platforming experience.
A touching and emotional story that explores themes of loss and healing, resonating with players on a personal level.

The game is relatively short, with a playtime of around 2-4 hours, which may leave some players wanting more content.
Some players may find the gameplay too easy, lacking significant challenges or difficulty spikes.
The voice acting and some cutscenes may feel inconsistent or awkward, detracting from the overall narrative experience.

story
253 mentions
49 % positive mentions
49 % neutral mentions
2 % negative mentions
The story of the game is widely praised for its emotional depth and unique presentation, often revealed through fragmented vignettes and animated cutscenes that enhance the gameplay experience. While some players found the narrative disjointed or confusing at times, many appreciated its heartfelt themes of loss and family, complemented by beautiful art and music. Overall, the storytelling is considered a standout feature, making the game a compelling journey that resonates with players.
- “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
186 mentions
39 % positive mentions
59 % neutral mentions
2 % negative mentions
The gameplay of "Gravity Ghost" is characterized by its unique gravity-based mechanics that allow players to navigate through various planets, collecting stars and elements while solving puzzles. While the game is generally described as fun and relaxing, with a charming aesthetic and engaging story, some players found the mechanics to be simplistic or occasionally tedious, particularly in later levels where power-ups could disrupt the intended gameplay experience. Overall, it offers a blend of enjoyable physics-based challenges and a captivating narrative, making it a worthwhile experience for fans of indie platformers.
- “The gameplay has you jumping off of planets and using their gravity to grab stars and objects that extend the length of your hair; stars open the door that completes the level.”
- “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 is fun and the story is touching.”
- “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
146 mentions
61 % positive mentions
37 % neutral mentions
2 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received widespread acclaim, with many reviewers praising its beauty, soothing qualities, and how well it complements the game's art and narrative. Composed by Ben Prunty, known for his work on FTL, the soundtrack is described as both captivating and evocative, enhancing the overall experience and atmosphere of the game. While some critiques mention a desire for more variety, the majority agree that the music is a standout feature that significantly contributes to the game's charm and emotional depth.
- “The music is beautifully crafted and perfectly complements the enchanting visuals, creating a truly immersive experience.”
- “Gravity Ghost features a stunning soundtrack by Ben Prunty that enhances the game's emotional depth and whimsical atmosphere.”
- “The soundtrack is not only relaxing but also elevates the gameplay, making every moment feel magical and engaging.”
- “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
52 % positive mentions
45 % neutral mentions
3 % negative mentions
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 complements the game's themes and story. While some reviewers noted inconsistencies in animation quality, the overall visual presentation is considered captivating and unique, contributing to a relaxing and enchanting atmosphere. The combination of stunning visuals and a compelling soundtrack enhances the emotional experience, making it a standout feature 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 magnificent, and has a wonderful hand-drawn storybook feel throughout.”
- “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
50 mentions
98 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
2 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is widely praised, with many players noting its ability to evoke strong feelings, including tears, through a touching narrative about loss, acceptance, and family. The storytelling is described as heartfelt and engaging, often enhanced by beautiful art and music, creating a profound emotional experience that resonates deeply with players. While some critiques mention gameplay issues, the overall sentiment highlights the game's unexpected emotional depth and its capacity to leave a lasting impact.
- “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
42 % positive mentions
42 % neutral mentions
16 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of "Gravity Ghost" is a captivating blend of cute and serene elements that gradually shift to darker tones, creating an ethereal and otherworldly experience. The game's painted graphics and evocative soundtrack enhance its relaxing ambiance, making it feel like a nostalgic journey through childhood imagination. Players appreciate the low-pressure environment, where the focus is on enjoying the atmosphere and solving puzzles without the threat of failure.
- “The graphics and sound combine to form a nice relaxing atmosphere.”
- “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 is very calm and serene and you can't die (obviously because you're already a ghost...), which makes the game very relaxing.”
- “The atmosphere of the game reminds me of Endless Ocean and games of its type.”
humor
8 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is a mixed bag, blending "dad jokes" with darker themes, which some players feel clash with the spiritual aesthetic. However, many reviewers appreciate the balance, noting that the writing can be both genuinely funny and heartwarming, leading to moments of laughter amidst the more serious narrative elements. Overall, the humor is seen as a highlight, contributing to an engaging and emotionally resonant experience.
- “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.”
grinding
5 mentions
0 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
100 % negative mentions
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
40 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
60 % negative mentions
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, but ultimately, replayability is largely tied to achievements and the desire to experience the story again.
- “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
25 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
75 % negative mentions
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
2 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
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 a unique 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.”