TheGhostbusterslicense has had a surprisingly extensive history in the video game market, with titles dating all the way back to 1984. In terms of quality, it’s been a pretty mixed bag. Even what many consider to be the pinnacle of the series,2009’sGhostbusters: The Video Game, isn’t without its faults. Illfonic is the latest developer to give this license a go, and just from the brief trailer released so far,Ghostbusters: Spirits Unleashedlooks like it has some real promise.
WhileGhostbusters: The Video Gameacted like a continuation of the original duology, with all the original cast reprising their roles,Ghostbusters: Spirits Unleashedbrings the story to the modern day, and seems to pick up right where the most recent movie,Ghostbusters: Afterlife, left off.
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How Ghostbusters: Afterlife Ends
Though it wasn’t met with the best critical reception, currently sitting at a 45% on Metacritic,Ghostbusters: Afterlifeactually ended uppleasing a good portion ofGhostbustersfans. It may not have been the most original or tight story, but many fans could set that aside to enjoy the movie for what it was; a continuation of the original crew’s story, told through the lens of the younger generation.
From the get-go,Ghostbusters: Afterlifecements itself in the pre-establishedGhostbustersuniverse. The movie’s opening scene shows Egon Spengler engaged in a pretty terrifying ghost chase, which ultimately ends in his death. The rest of the movie then seesEgon’s daughter and grandchildrenwork alongside Egon’s ghost to help put a stop to the town’s spectral threats.
Along the way, a few cameo appearances fromErnie Hudson’s Winston Zeddemoreand Dan Akroyd’s Ray Stantz are sprinkled in; with the former now being a millionaire business tycoon, and the latter being the owner of an occult bookstore. The big bad of the movie is revealed to once again be Gozer, the ancient god antagonist of the original 1984 movie.
In the final scene of the movie, Egon’s grandchildren lure Gozer back to the farmhouse, and attempt to trap the spirit. Gozer ends up being too powerful for the kids to handle, and in a moment of pure fan-service, the camera pans to revealthe original Ghostbusters, all suited-up and ready to take down the phantom.
Bill Murray’s Venkman is hurling one-liners, Winston and Ray and blasting ghosts with their Neutrona Wand, and the whole cast comes together to defeat Gozer and their ghostly minions. In a bittersweet final moment, Egon’s apparition appears (a prettyconvincing CG Harold Ramis), joining the other three Ghostbusters as they all try to trap Gozer. Egon makes amends with his friends and family, and his spirit disappears into the night’s sky.
Just before the credits roll, the camera pans down to New York City, revealingthe Ecto-1, sirens blaring, speeding along the road, all while the iconic Ray Parker Jr.Ghostbusterstheme plays. The final post-credits scene of the movie shows Winston walking into the oldGhostbustersfirehouse, the Ecto-1 being brought in behind him.
A Team of New Recruits
Based on the recently released trailer,Ghostbusters: Spirits Unleashedseems to be directly following the end ofGhostbusters: Afterlife, with its general premise being that the player is taking the role of a new Ghostbuster recruit in Winston’s new Ghostbusting agency. In a bit of a departure fromIllfonic’s previous games,Ghostbusters: Spirits Unleashedis going to have a narrative through-line.
Between each 4v1 asymmetrical multiplayer match, players will be able to freely explore theGhostbustersfirehouse. Here, they can upgrade their equipment and gear, and talk to Winston for advice. Players can also head to Ray’s bookstore, where they can learn more about their ghostly opponents. Ernie Hudson andDan Akroyd are reprising their rolesyet again, so it does seem thatSpirits Unleashedis acting as somewhat of a sequel to the latest movie.
Ghostbusters: Spirit Unleashedreleases in Q4 2022, for PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
