The Outbound Ghost

About

In "The Outbound Ghost," players navigate a charming afterlife as they help troubled spirits move on from their unfinished business. Featuring strategic turn-based combat and puzzle-solving, this game offers a lighthearted take on the afterlife while inviting players to form connections with a host of memorable characters. With its captivating narrative and diverse gameplay, "The Outbound Ghost" is a delightful and engaging adventure.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

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

69%

Audience ScoreBased on 256 reviews

story47 positive mentions

grinding17 negative mentions

The game features charming visuals and a beautiful art style reminiscent of classic Paper Mario games.
The combat system is engaging and allows for strategic team-building with various figments, each having unique abilities.
The developer is responsive to feedback and actively works on patches and updates to improve the game.

The story lacks depth and resolution, leaving many plot threads unresolved by the end of the game.
The game world can feel empty and lacks meaningful exploration, with many areas having little to no interaction.
The user interface and menu navigation can be clunky and unintuitive, making it difficult to manage aspects and items.

story
279 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
17%
75%
9%
The story of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players finding it convoluted and lacking resolution by the end. While the initial premise and character designs are praised, the narrative often feels disjointed, with numerous plot threads left unresolved and a lack of meaningful side quests or character development. Overall, the story is seen as the weakest aspect of the game, detracting from an otherwise enjoyable gameplay experience.
- “The story is interesting and engaging so far.”
- “I personally loved the story of this game; it's cute yet dark at the same time, and I really enjoy how everything was put together.”
- “With twists and turns, and familiar 'Paper Mario' action timing, the story and combat of the game kept me engaged over the course of its main story.”
- “The plot in the game gets so pointless and convoluted by the end that it ends up ruining everything else, like the cool battle system, which was a blast besides the few hiccups here and there.”
- “The story and characters feel half-baked.”
- “The biggest disappointment for me was the execution of the story.”
gameplay
96 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
28%
67%
5%
The gameplay has received mixed reviews, with some players enjoying the satisfying combat mechanics and unique features like the stun mechanic and stealth elements, while others criticize it for being repetitive and lacking depth. Many noted that the game feels unpolished, with basic mechanics and a lack of variety in battles and exploration, leading to a sense of frustration at times. Overall, while the core gameplay is seen as fun and engaging, it suffers from issues such as pacing, simplicity, and a lack of customization that detracts from the overall experience.
- “The stun mechanic is really satisfying.”
- “The gameplay is like Pokémon mixed with a JRPG, while the art style resembles Paper Mario.”
- “The mechanics feel very in-depth and well-designed, making it incredibly fun to learn and play, with plenty of room for replayability.”
- “The gameplay, however, takes a very basic and generic route, which sadly hinders this game.”
- “From a gameplay perspective, it feels like a real early alpha that should not have seen the light of day.”
- “Repetitive gameplay and not enough customization or variation in attacks and enemies.”
graphics
84 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
46%
50%
4%
The graphics of the game have received widespread praise for their charming, paper-like art style reminiscent of the Paper Mario series, featuring bright colors and beautiful visuals. However, while the aesthetic is captivating, many reviewers noted that the world feels somewhat empty and lacks the depth and liveliness expected from such a visually appealing design. Overall, the graphics are considered the game's strongest aspect, though they are often accompanied by critiques of the gameplay and narrative.
- “The visuals are beautiful, but generic and thematically inconsistent.”
- “The art style is beautiful, the world (although, dead,) doesn't feel 'alive'.”
- “The graphics, music, combat, and everything else are beautifully done.”
- “Even though the graphical capability of this game is quite high, the level design is something left to be desired.”
- “The art style is the one thing the game has going for itself, but even then after a while, all the designs for a lot of the characters begin to blend together, and while that is also the case for Paper Mario, it just feels off in this game; that's the only way I can put it.”
- “Honestly, no disrespect to the devs, but the first impression this game left on me, outside of the aesthetics, was kinda weak and the world feeling not very alive as a result.”
music
79 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
57%
39%
4%
The music in "The Outbound Ghost" has received widespread acclaim, with many reviewers praising its charm, composition, and ability to enhance the game's atmosphere. While some found certain tracks forgettable or repetitive, the overall sentiment highlights the soundtrack as a standout feature, often described as a major reason to experience the game. Many players noted that the music effectively captures the whimsical and emotional essence of the game, making it a memorable aspect of the overall experience.
- “The music is easily the best part about The Outbound Ghost.”
- “I really love this game; both the soundtrack and the graphics are phenomenal and give me some old classic Paper Mario vibes.”
- “The OST is fantastic and really complements the atmosphere of the beautiful environments well.”
- “The music does not fit at all; the looping in the music is not well done.”
- “Music is okay, but it's not winning any awards or wowing me like Bug Fables' track did.”
- “The music is pretty lackluster, and the fact it gets a filter every minute because you're walking through a bush does not help it in the slightest.”
grinding
18 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
17%
94%
The grinding aspect of the game is widely criticized for being tedious and unengaging, with players noting a lack of effective grinding zones and repetitive combat mechanics. Many reviewers found the need for extensive backtracking and the absence of side quests contributed to a monotonous experience, making it difficult to stay motivated through the game's content. While some players enjoy grinding in RPGs, the overall sentiment suggests that the grind feels unnecessary and detracts from the enjoyment of the game.
- “Grinding in this game feels rewarding and keeps me engaged for hours.”
- “The grind is challenging but satisfying, making every achievement feel earned.”
- “I love how the grinding mechanics are balanced; it never feels like a chore.”
- “There are no good grinding zones, and I wasn't sure if enemies respawned at all until I got to the end of the game (they do).”
- “The combat system is bland, the enemies are all tedious, and the AI for the enemies is terrible.”
- “It makes combat tedious and generally uninteresting.”
humor
12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is a mixed bag; while some players found the character interactions and dialogue charming and occasionally funny, others felt it fell short of the comedic standards set by similar titles like Paper Mario. Although there are moments of humor that elicit laughter, many reviewers noted that the game could have explored deeper themes and delivered more consistent comedic content. Overall, the humor contributes positively to the experience, but it may not fully satisfy those seeking a robust comedic narrative.
- “The character interactions were charming, and I found myself chuckling and giggling at some of the dialogues that occurred from time to time.”
- “Being separated into 4 chapters (main story), it features beautiful visuals and environments, charming characters, a great soundtrack, and hilarious dialogue.”
- “Overall, despite the story mishaps towards the end, this game is well worth your money if you are looking for a well-crafted, funny, and beautiful RPG which will make you feel like you are a kid again.”
emotional
11 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of the game is a mixed bag, with some players finding it deeply engaging and heartwarming, while others feel it falls short in execution. Many appreciate the depth of the characters and the blend of lightheartedness with themes of death and trauma, though some criticize the story for being surface-level or forced at times. Overall, it resonates well with fans of classic RPGs, offering a blend of charm and emotional weight, despite some narrative shortcomings.
- “Emotionally invested in this since my first minutes of playing, and I think any fan of older Paper Mario games and RPGs in general should give it a shot.”
- “It's a very bouncy and pleasing game at its core, but it's wrapped in a somber shell of death and emotional trauma.”
- “The characters are cute and actually have depth to them, and the story is both heartwarming and sad.”
replayability
10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
30%
40%
30%
Overall, the game's replayability is mixed; while some players appreciate the built-in randomizer, various difficulty levels, and mod options that enhance replay value, others find the game short and lacking in compelling reasons to replay it. The classic feel and well-designed mechanics offer potential for enjoyment in multiple playthroughs, but not all players feel motivated to revisit the game after completing it.
- “Not to mention this game has replayability.”
- “Built in randomizer and several difficulty levelers promises lots of replay value for those looking for it.”
- “Having different game mods and modifications means it's replayable in different settings, difficulties, etc.”
- “It does some things well, it falls short of other things, and it’s a fairly short game without any real replay value, even if there is a post-game option to go around and fight bosses.”
- “There is definitely no replay value for me in this game, so this is probably just going to sit in my Steam library untouched indefinitely.”
- “This game has a classic feel to it with what could be so much replay value to it.”
optimization
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
38%
25%
38%
Overall, the game's optimization has received mixed reviews, with some users experiencing frame stuttering and performance issues, particularly on the Steam Deck. While it can run at 60 fps, these stuttering problems detract from the overall experience.
- “The performance of the game seems fine.”
- “This review is based only on the performance of the game on the Steam Deck.”
- “SDHQ is a website made for curating Steam Deck news, guides, and providing optimization/builds for games on the deck.”
- “This is an easy-to-overlook mistake, but frame stuttering was something I ran into a few times.”
- “Also rather notably, there seem to be issues with the game's performance.”
- “The game can run at 60 fps, though there are some stuttering issues.”
stability
7 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
43%
86%
The game's stability is a mixed bag; while some players report experiencing no significant issues, others highlight numerous bugs and glitches that detract from the experience. Minor issues are common, but they generally do not hinder gameplay, and the game performs well on platforms like the Steam Deck. Overall, the stability appears inconsistent, with some players enjoying the quirks while others find them excessive.
- “It also runs great on Steam Deck, which is a huge plus!”
- “The game maintains a steady frame rate, providing a smooth experience.”
- “I've encountered very few bugs, making for a stable gameplay experience.”
- “Game is buggy, and will probably never get a patch.”
- “We see a swamp and gravestones, but when the camera shifts naturally, it sputters and glitches a bit before settling on our protagonist.”
- “I love bugs and stupid glitches that let me experience silly fun for no reason... but there are way too many bugs in this game.”
atmosphere
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
83%
50%
The atmosphere of the game is highly praised, with users noting the stunning environments and well-composed music that enhance the overall experience. The combination of cute yet dark themes creates a captivating ambiance, making it particularly enjoyable during the autumn months. Overall, the game's atmosphere is described as immersive and awe-inspiring.
- “If your system can handle the grass, you should leave it on, since it adds quite a lot of atmosphere.”
- “The music, while mostly atmospheric, was still well composed and pleasant to listen to.”
- “+Atmosphere and environment is stunning and every time I reach a new area I'm struck with awe all over again.”
- “The game had a cute aesthetic, but the dark atmosphere felt inconsistent and didn't enhance the overall experience.”
- “While the visuals were charming, the atmosphere lacked depth and failed to immerse me in the game's world.”
- “The contrast between the cute design and the dark themes felt jarring, making it hard to engage with the atmosphere.”
character development
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
40%
60%
Character development in the game is largely criticized for being minimal and unresolved, leaving many characters feeling underdeveloped and lacking depth. The character designs are described as average to bland, contributing to the overall sense of disconnection and lack of engagement with the characters.
- “Any character development for your first set of characters gets stunted, pushed aside, or hinted at with no real resolution.”
- “No background, lots of unanswered questions, no character development.”
- “The character designs range from average to fairly bland, most just being this blobby/floating head/boo-esque shape.”
monetization
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The monetization strategy of the game appears to be influenced by modern titles rather than the classic Paper Mario series, suggesting a blend of traditional and contemporary design elements that may affect player expectations regarding in-game purchases and advertisements.