Ghouls 'N Ghosts kicks off its madness without an enchanting tale highlighted by engrossing characters and complicated plot points. This sequel to Ghosts 'N Goblins rehashes the age-old save-the-maiden plot, thrusting resident armor-clad knight Sir Arthur into a mission to recover his sweetheart Princess Prin Prin from the demonic overlord, Lucifer. You command the stereotypical warrior through five desolate worlds teeming with nightmarish creatures, ranging from robed skeletons to enormous insects to the dreaded Red Arremer. Thankfully, Arthur is no slouch, as he possesses athletic capabilities that include throwing huge lances and leaping over six feet into the air--whilst wearing armor, no less! As it turns out, his mission mostly consists of throwing things at monsters and jumping, so he's a perfect fit for the challenge.
Capcom worked hard to translate Ghouls 'N Ghosts' premise into a beastly, addictive video game. For starters, they smoothed out the previous title's mechanics, crafting a platformer with straightforward, streamlined levels and tight control response. The experience focuses on the simple task of charging through an obvious rail while fighting off whatever satanic forces come your way. To make matters trickier, some of your foes don't spawn in set locations. During certain phases, you run afoul of adversaries that bleed out of every crevice, such as the undead horrors at the beginning of the campaign. Impressively, though, Ghouls 'N Ghosts' instances of random enemy placement remain fair enough that you can't entirely blame the game for your shortcomings.
Ghouls 'N Ghosts' menagerie of monsters isn't the only thing out to kill you. Though the game's stages sport simple layouts, they feature intricate little traps that require patience, timing and daring in order to surmount. The first stage pits you against slithering plant tendrils that seem benign at first. As you approach them, though, they threaten to impale you on their spear-like tips. As you advance, you'll leap over lava pools in a burning temple, ascend a haunted elevator teeming with giant knights and spikes, and even wade in rapid waters that aim to push you into razor-sharp crystal shards. With such nasty perils, you'll realize by the end of your quest that Capcom wants you dead in the worst way.
Staff review by Joseph Shaffer (June 07, 2018)
Rumor has it that Joe is not actually a man, but a machine that likes video games, horror movies, and long walks on the beach. His/Its first contribution to HonestGamers was a review of Breath of Fire III. |
More Reviews by Joseph Shaffer [+]
|
|
If you enjoyed this Ghouls 'N Ghosts review, you're encouraged to discuss it with the author and with other members of the site's community. If you don't already have an HonestGamers account, you can sign up for one in a snap. Thank you for reading!
User Help | Contact | Ethics | Sponsor Guide | Links