When the original Ghostbusters movie hit movie theaters, it not only became a box office success but it was also one of those comedies that had become a timeless classic for every generation to love. As a fan of the movies, I couldn’t wait to get my hands on the game and hoping that - even with the cast of the movies present and the story written by Dan Akyroyd and Harold Ramis - the game would be true to the movies. As it turns out, Ghostbusters: The Video Game is actually better than I had expected.

 
Murray: “I’ve been slimed again? What is this ‘Groundhog’s Day?’”

The game’s story mode begins several years after the events of the second movie in the early 1990s as a supernatural occurrence takes place in the museum’s Gozer exhibit. Back in the Ghostbusters headquarters, tucked somewhere in New York City, you are being introduced as the new nameless rookie teammate. Doctor Egon (Ramis) is going through the basics of the Proton Pack when a misfire hits the containment chamber releasing movie favorite Slimer as well as a few other ghosts.

The problem, however, is that the ghosts seem to be drawn by a great power that suddenly sends them into a frenzy. On top of that, an attractive Doctor who works at the museum tells them that the problem might have something to do with the return of Gozer. Backed by the new Mayor and working alongside their old rival, the still unpleasant Walter Peck (once again played by William Atherton), the Ghostbusters set out to investigate the supernatural elements that once again threaten the city and the world.

Played like a true sequel to the films, the story brings back familiar elements from both movies as you investigate. Early in the game you not only return to the Sedgewick Hotel to hunt down Slimer in the same banquet hall but you also go up against one of Gozer’s recognizable incarnations … Stay Puft in all his marshmallowy glory. If you thought it might be fun to track and capture Slimer, you’ll have a blast taking on the massive monstrosity in one of the game’s most memorable moments. Oh, you also get to head back to the public library where you will, once and for all, capture the ghost that made fools of the ghost hunters … the famous Grey Lady librarian ghost from the first movie.

As a fan, it’s great to see familiar setting, ghost and Ecto-1. You’ll find yourself cheerfully exploring headquarters (which is an old fire station) where Janine is taking calls from clients and where the painting of Viggo (from Ghostbusters 2) is propped up against the wall spouting hilarious curses. The best part is that you will also be taking on new ghosts and other evil entities as well as testing out Egon’s latest upgrades to the Proton Packs. You’ll also be exploring some really interesting places such as a dimension you enter through a basement in the public library.

 
“I’m getting high readings of dark ectoplasmic material … I think Paris Hilton was here!”

While you’re placed on a linear path during the story, the levels themselves offer plenty to do and what the Ghostbusters do well is catch ghosts. The ghost catching aspect of the game is actually very fun. Your Proton Pack shoots a stream burst that can also be changed to a capture stream that can wrangle a ghost. The trick is to grab it, slam it to faze it a little then throw the trap you must lead the ghost into to contain it. It’s kind of tricky and challenging but that’s what makes it so fun. Thankfully, the game’s multiplayer mode contains a few ghost-catching competitive games.

The good news is that you will be catching several kinds of ghosts that include the spirits of angry construction workers, opera singers and even hobo ghost. Then there are the entities that possess items to turn into a monster made of coal or even stacks of books. Thankfully, the Proton Pack comes equip with new secondary and primary fire options such as the Boson Dart and the helpful Stasis Stream that freezes ghosts in place. The Slime Tether shoots a string of slime that can be used to bring things closer or, if used right, yank heavy steel beams blocking your path. You can always purchase upgrades with the money you earn for capturing or destroying ghosts.

While most of the levels are fun and have plenty of action, there are times when you will feel frustrated by sections in the game that feel more like trail-and-error events. Yes, I love taking on evil spirits in the creepy kids section of the library with Ray. Another frustrating element is that when you’re knocked down by a particularly difficult spirit or entity, you need your fellow teammate to help you off the ground. If your teammate is also down you have to do the same but what happens when both of you are down? Well, let’s just say you will be staring at the one-minute load screen … a lot.

There’s also a multiplayer mode that gives the game high replay value and, for the most part, the six game types are actually fun to play. There are competitive modes such as Containment, Destruction and Thief (a fun capture-the-flag-like game mode). Protection and Slime Dunk are the games that will have you playing this game for a long time to come. Thankfully, online the game runs at a very steady framerate much like the single-player portion.

 
“I don’t care if she’s been dead for a hundred years! I think she’s hot!”

Visually, Ghostbusters looks decent on the PlayStation 3 and there are times when the game will really impress you with some amazing visual effects and stunning levels. Then again, there are times when the backgrounds can look a little on the bland PS2 side as well. The character models look good, though, and the stars of the game all look like they’re suppose to look during cut scenes or during the in-game action. It’s too bad your character is the most generic-looking character in the game.

As I mentioned earlier, the cast is back and not only for the visuals. Each actor makes a return and does a great job of returning to their role. Ramis still sounds like Egon and Akyroyd is still his likeable self even when he’s talking about Meson Collidors or ectoplasm. Now, I love Bill Murray and think he’s funny in the game, but he’s the only one who sounds like he’s trying hard to do Venkman. Even the music from the film is back as well as the Ray Parker opening theme song.

A fun rollercoaster of a ride, Ghostbusters: The Video Game for the PlayStation 3 succeeds in not only telling a great story with some familiar faces but also being a thoroughly entertaining game. While some elements don’t come off as well as it should, the rest of the game simply rises above the weaknesses to offer an absorbing game fans will certainly appreciate. This kind of bustin’ definitely makes me feel good.

Gameplay: 8.2
The story will not fail to make you smile or happy to see Akyroyd, Murray, Ramis and Hudson bustin’ ghosts again. There are levels that turn up the creepy factor and others that are considerably fun and true to the films. Catching ghosts with the Proton Pack is just way too much fun … just don’t cross the streams. Crossing the streams is bad.

Graphics: 7.9
We seen better graphics on the PlayStation 3 but that doesn’t mean the Ghostbusters: The Video Game isn’t pretty or occasionally impressive. Some levels really do look amazing and it’s just a visual treat seeing Stay Puft scaling his way up a building to get to you. I just wish the graphical glitches weren’t so noticeable.

Sound: 8.0
The cast of the movies, including Annie Potts and William Atherton, are back to voice their characters. I love Bill Murray but Venkman somehow doesn’t sound like, well, Venkman. The music from the movies can be found in the game as well but it tends to repeat often in the game.

Difficulty: Medium
The game is pleasantly challenging throughout the game, although there are some trail-and-error sections that will not fail to frustrate. Some of the more impressive entities in the game are also the more challenging to defeat such as the Gollum made entirely of library books and antique furniture.

Concept: 8.5
With a story handled by Dan Aykroyd and Harold Ramis as well as the support of the two Ghostbusters movies’ main cast, the story feels like a true sequel. The Proton Pack makes for some awesome gameplay mechanics as well. Plus, the PS3 version comes with some juicy extras like a preview of the Blu-ray release of the original movie and a feature about Ecto-1.

Multiplayer: 8.5
The four-player online multiplayer mode is actually loads of fun, although some modes - like Destruction - get too repetitive. At least the multiplayer runs smoothly, although I wish they had included co-op.

Overall: 8.2
You don’t have to be a fan of the movies to really enjoy Ghostbusters: The Video Game but if you are you are in for a very pleasant surprise. Sure, the game isn’t perfect but there are more than enough good qualities to make this a game worth buying.