Ghostrunner Review (PS5): Ghost in the new Machine
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Ghostrunner released onto PC, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch and PS4 last year. I originally played the PC version and loved every single second of it. The game ran flawlessly on PC and the high speed platforming and action made for an extremely compelling game.
Enhanced Cybernetics
Now, a year later, we have Ghostrunner being given the next-gen console treatment with the PS5 and Xbox Series release. Playing the PS5 version a year later, it’s great to see that there’s now Ray Tracing in the console version. There’s also some nifty new features such as the “Assist mode” as well as instant loading, photo mode and 4K 120 FPS.
Players will take on the role of a “Ghostrunner”. There are multiple “Ghostrunners” in the game world but as is usually the case in fiction, your one is different. After being brutally defeated and cast down from Dharma Tower, you are repaired by a group of rebels and re-activated.
The rebels unfortunately are wiped out and an Artificial Intelligence eventually finds you. This is where things really kick it up a notch since you’re tasked with “Freeing” the Artificial Intelligence from his digital prison and enacting sweet cybernetic vengeance.
Once you’ve freed the A.I, you will slowly but surely progress through the levels in the game world and build up your fighting prowess. Gameplay in Ghostrunner starts off incredibly simple.
Running, jumping and wall running. Shortly afterwards you’ll be sword slashing some basic enemies. Then you’ll be dashing, blinking and unleashing Tempest strikes upon groups of foes. The progression system is incredibly rewarding coupled with the game’s challenging level design.
Getting through each level in Ghostrunner is not an easy task. Players will die over and over and over again. If you hate games that cause frustration or that prevent you from progressing until you “Get good”, you will definitely be annoyed with Ghostrunner.
If, however, you love challenges and are willing to push yourself, you will be hooked. Learning from your mistakes, trying different approaches and adapting your play style is essential to completing levels in Ghostrunner.
The PS5 version of the game now has an “Assist Mode” though which players can enable in the options menu. This does alleviate some of the difficulty, but it’s still quite challenging even with this enabled.
As with the PC version of Ghostrunner, the PS5 version instantly loads you back into the game if you die and respawn. This keeps the game’s momentum going since you’ll be slashing your way through enemies and might be caught off guard and die.
Instantly respawning and being able to attempt a section again without sitting through a long loading screen is great and a core part of why Ghostrunner on PC was the best place to play this game. Console players will appreciate the instant loading a lot.
Players in Ghostrunner will unlock a circuit board later on in the game. This allows them to slot in upgrade blocks which gives you new abilities or special perks such as being able to dash twice or highlight enemies. Players will gain new upgrades simply by progressing through the game’s levels.
Levels in Ghostrunner are split up into smaller segments by checkpoints. These checkpoints however can be the cause of a lot of frustration in the game since some of them are placed before some extremely tough platforming or combat segments.
In some levels, you’ll have to get through a lot before reaching the next checkpoint. The levels in Ghostrunner are all well crafted with a lot of platforming and combat intertwined throughout. Without spoiling too much, there’s also numerous types of enemies to fight against and there’s even boss fights to get through.
The deeper story of Ghostrunner is explained to players by means of in-game lore which is tied to collectible items that you can find hidden within levels. The basic story is told through conversations that play out while you’re platforming your way through levels.
Overall, it’s pretty good at driving the plot forward. You’ll get drawn into the futuristic world of Dharma Tower in no time and even though the game can be rather difficult, you’ll want to push on through to the end.
Ray Tracing
Graphically, Ghostrunner looks flat out amazing. Now that the PS5 version is available, players can experience Ray Tracing on console and see just how visually pleasing everything in this game can truly be.
I didn’t notice any frame rate drop or slowdown at all throughout my playthrough. Gameplay is still as fluid as ever. With all that said, the game did crash on me while I was playing and in one level I clipped straight through a ramp and fell to my death.
There’s also a minor issue in that if you remap your controls, the interact button is still labelled as the default “X” on control panels and switches.
Ghostrunner on PS5 also includes the “Kill Run” and “Wave Mode” updates. These two modes add even more longevity to the game and players can spend literally hours and hours on either mode trying to rack up high scores.
The “Wave Mode” in particular is something I’ve spent a lot of time in on PC fairly recently. It’s great that it’s available here on launch in the PS5 version.
Ghostrunner on PS5 unfortunately does not give players all the cosmetic DLC items released so far. Players will have to fork out more real world money if they want these unlocked in game.
These items are various sword skins and glove skins for your Ghostrunner to use but thankfully, they are just cosmetic items that don’t affect gameplay at all. With that said, they look amazing and if you do purchase them, you are supporting the developer.
The soundtrack of Ghostrunner is excellent with synth tracks that perfectly fit this futuristic slasher platformer. The voice acting is also on par with the A.I, your Ghostrunner himself and the other characters all sounding believable. The PS5 version of the game also includes 3D audio and overall the sound effects are well done.
Final Verdict
When I played Ghostrunner last year, I called it “One of 2020’s best platforming action games”.
That statement still holds true and it’s great to see that the console version is finally brought up to par with the excellent PC version. PS5 gamers can rejoice knowing that Ghostrunner is still as great as ever.
This game comes highly recommended by me and while the “One-shot-one-kill” mechanics might frustrate some gamers, the assist mode helps to lessen the frustration this game can cause.
If you’re still on the fence, try out the demo and see if you like it.
Ghostrunner
Ghostrunner has finally been given the Next-Gen console treatment and is definitely worth playing on PS5
