Ghostbusters: Spirits Unleashed played – Bustin’ feels good!

Asymmetric multiplayer paired with big brands from the world of film and television: That has been the tried and tested concept of the US development studio so far IllFonic. In Friday the 13th: The Game, four teenagers had to fight against the bloodthirsty serial killer Jason Vorhees at Camp Crystal Lake. Predator: Hunting Grounds then threw four Marines into the dense jungles of South America to take down the infamous Yautja hunter.

True to the motto “All good things come in threes”, the next title follows the same pattern, Ghostbusters: Spirits Unleashed. That’s an unsurprising one too co-op shooter, in which four players try to hold their own against an overwhelming opponent. But this time it’s all about converted hearses, proton packs and paranormal dangers like slimer or Marshmallow Men. During a hands-on session at Gamescom, we took a look at how well this fits together.

Most important information first: No, you play in Spirits Unleashed Not with the four iconic heroes of the original films. Instead, you create your own character at the beginning of the game. You don’t have to commit to one look. As you progress through the game, you’ll unlock new cosmetic items that you can use to customize your style. Also Gameplay Upgrades are possible: You improve existing equipment with additional parts or procure completely new toys, such as one climbing hook for faster movement.

Also interesting: All news, trailers, previews on the Gamescom overview page

All this takes place in the well-known fire station instead of. The serves as Social Hub, where you can start a party with your friends. Also, one awaits you training arena to learn and master the mechanics of the game. From time to time, small story cutscenes will also be played in your base. For the developers have Dan Aikroyd and Ernie Hudson, two of the four original Ghostbusters from 1984, were brought on board. The plot is supposed to be sometime after the current film Ghostbusters: Afterlife play and was written in cooperation with its author Gil Kenan. However, you should not expect a narrative gaming experience. You can play alone with the AI, but Spirits Unleashed is clearly open multiplayer trimmed.

Bustin’ makes me feel good

Accordingly, in terms of gameplay, a familiar picture emerges Predator: Hunting Grounds knows. You jump over that matchmaking into a game and see which role you take on: you start as a ghost hunter in the First person perspective and searches the semi-open game world after supernatural phenomena. Use the PKE meter to track down the ghost, throw a trap, and then try to pull the guy into it with the help of proton beams.

That sounds easier on paper than it is. Ghostbusters: Spirits Unleashed requires tactics: You cannot throw your trap while doing this proton pack used. In addition, your weapons can overheat at any time. It is therefore important to consult with colleagues. Optionally via the voice chat or the ping system you delegate tasks to each other. For example, three players can focus on ghost hunting while a fourth keeps the haunted damage in check by calming civilians.

I ain’t afraid of no Ghost!

The ghost, on the other hand, is controlled in the third-person perspective. This provides a better overview, you can see your pursuers from afar and quickly take to their heels. As an additional resource, you have a kind of “Ghost Vision“, with which you are shown dangers through walls. The goal of the spirit is to spread as much fear as possible. You scare passers-by, bewitch surrounding objects, slime the environment or break things. Then the new one comes along environmental destruction to carry.

Ghostbusters: Spirits Unleashed in the Gamescom preview.

Source: Illfonic



With every action you drive one progress bar at the top of the screen. Reaches 100 percent, the game changes to the Sudden Death mode. Then the hunters have 100 seconds to catch the ghost, otherwise the round ends.

Of course, ghost players have a few options to escape this fate. Similar to in prophet you can slip into objects and hide yourself. There are also a number of abilities that you can use to actively defend yourself: you send out minions, throw ectoplasm, sabotage the Ghostbusters’ proton packs or unleash a rechargeable one Ultimate attack. However, each of these skills consumes psycho-kinetic energyso to say a kind of perseverance. If that is used up, nothing works anymore – not even a normal sprint. Then you are supernatural fair game.

If you get caught, it’s not the end of the world. you can come with button mashing try to escape. If that doesn’t work, you have two spare life in the form of so-called rifts. These are mystical objects like a cursed teddy bear or an old stone tablet that you use to respawn. Only when all rifts have been used up is there a layer in the shaft. This makes Ghostbusters: Spirits Unleashed far less stressful than Predator: Hunting Grounds. As a ghost, you don’t just have one try, you have a second chance. The same applies to the Ghostbusters: they cannot die and thus concentrate on the hunt.