69
MONSTER
An all-ages take on its brand of four-versus-one asymmetric multiplayer games, where you play as your own original Ghostbusters team — or take on the role of a ghost hellbent on wreaking haunted havoc.
Game analysis
Monster Scorecard
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Story and Narrative
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58
Nostalgia-driven but narratively shallow, Ghostbusters: Spirits Unleashed trades depth for brief, charming moments, prioritizing multiplayer and fan-service over cohesive storytelling—its story feels like a tutorial, not a tale.
SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR STORY
Story Score
58
Positive Reviews (80-100)
4%
Mixed Reviews (50-79)
75%
Negative Reviews (0-49)
22%
Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the story and narrative.
TL;DR
story and narrative
Nostalgia-driven but narratively shallow, Ghostbusters: Spirits Unleashed trades depth for brief, charming moments, prioritizing multiplayer and fan-service over cohesive storytelling—its story feels like a tutorial, not a tale.
Gameplay Mechanics
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74
Ghostbusters: Spirits Unleashed nails asymmetrical multiplayer with slick roleplay and teamwork but drowns in repetition, shallow mechanics, and lackluster AI—fun for friends, tedious alone.
SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR GAMEPLAY
Gameplay Score
74
Positive Reviews (80-100)
31%
Mixed Reviews (50-79)
64%
Negative Reviews (0-49)
5%
Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the gameplay mechanics.
TL;DR
gameplay mechanics
Ghostbusters: Spirits Unleashed nails asymmetrical multiplayer with slick roleplay and teamwork but drowns in repetition, shallow mechanics, and lackluster AI—fun for friends, tedious alone.
Graphics and Visual Design
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71
Nostalgic visuals nail Ghostbusters' 80s charm but stumble on polish, with clunky tech, generic avatars, and glitches undermining a game that feels more like a themed Fortnite than a bold sequel.
SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR VISUALS
Visual Score
71
Positive Reviews (80-100)
28%
Mixed Reviews (50-79)
65%
Negative Reviews (0-49)
7%
Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the graphics and visual design.
TL;DR
graphics and visual design
Nostalgic visuals nail Ghostbusters' 80s charm but stumble on polish, with clunky tech, generic avatars, and glitches undermining a game that feels more like a themed Fortnite than a bold sequel.
Music and Sound Design
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76
Praise for nostalgic sound design and immersive audio in Ghostbusters: Spirits Unleashed, with critics lauding Elmer Bernstein’s motifs, Ray Parker Jr.’s theme, 3D audio, iconic sounds, and Dan Aykroyd/Ernie Hudson’s voice work—yet technical flaws like missing tracks, desynchronization, and muddy mixes tarnished the experience.
SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR SOUND DESIGN
Sound Score
76
Positive Reviews (80-100)
48%
Mixed Reviews (50-79)
44%
Negative Reviews (0-49)
8%
Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the music and sound design.
TL;DR
music and sound design
Praise for nostalgic sound design and immersive audio in Ghostbusters: Spirits Unleashed, with critics lauding Elmer Bernstein’s motifs, Ray Parker Jr.’s theme, 3D audio, iconic sounds, and Dan Aykroyd/Ernie Hudson’s voice work—yet technical flaws like missing tracks, desynchronization, and muddy mixes tarnished the experience.
Voice Acting
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77
Original cast's nostalgic voice work shines, but underused dialogue, glitches, and shallow supporting roles tarnish the audio experience.
SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR VOICE ACTING
Acting Score
77
Positive Reviews (80-100)
51%
Mixed Reviews (50-79)
46%
Negative Reviews (0-49)
2%
Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the voice acting.
TL;DR
voice acting
Original cast's nostalgic voice work shines, but underused dialogue, glitches, and shallow supporting roles tarnish the audio experience.
Technical Performance
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66
Ghostbusters: Spirits Unleashed is a technically inconsistent mess—PS5 and Switch offer stability, but Xbox and PC grapple with bugs, crashes, and broken crossplay. While its core charm shines, major fixes are needed to polish a flawed experience.
SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR TECHNICAL PERFORMANCE
Tech Score
66
Positive Reviews (80-100)
24%
Mixed Reviews (50-79)
71%
Negative Reviews (0-49)
5%
Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the technical performance.
TL;DR
technical performance
Ghostbusters: Spirits Unleashed is a technically inconsistent mess—PS5 and Switch offer stability, but Xbox and PC grapple with bugs, crashes, and broken crossplay. While its core charm shines, major fixes are needed to polish a flawed experience.
Replay Value
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61
Ghostbusters: Spirits Unleashed delivers asymmetrical multiplayer thrills and customization but falters with repetitive gameplay, sparse content, and shallow progression, making it a fleeting dip into its ghostly world rather than a lasting obsession.
SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR REPLAY VALUE
Replay Score
61
Positive Reviews (80-100)
15%
Mixed Reviews (50-79)
58%
Negative Reviews (0-49)
27%
Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the replay value.
TL;DR
replay value
Ghostbusters: Spirits Unleashed delivers asymmetrical multiplayer thrills and customization but falters with repetitive gameplay, sparse content, and shallow progression, making it a fleeting dip into its ghostly world rather than a lasting obsession.
Overall Verdict
69
MONSTER
OVERALL SCORE DISTRIBUTION
Monster Score
69
Positive Reviews (80-100)
37%
Mixed Reviews (50-79)
62%
Negative Reviews (0-49)
1%
Based on analyzing all available reviews that scored and critiqued the game.
TL;DR
Ghostbusters: Spirits Unleashed thrills with chaotic, nostalgia-driven multiplayer and clever asymmetrical gameplay, but repetition, shallow mechanics, and technical glitches undermine its potential, making it a fan-first experience unlikely to satisfy broader audiences.
69
MONSTER
Reviews
88 reviews found91
Gaming Age
Oct 28, 2022
AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details
The game is praised as a fun, polished asymmetrical multiplayer experience with strong franchise nods. The main criticism is the limited cosmetic variety, but it's considered one of the better entries in the genre.
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90
Shacknews
Oct 14, 2022
AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details
The review praises Ghostbusters: Spirits Unleashed as a must-buy for fans and enthusiasts of asymmetrical multiplayer games. It is hailed as IllFonic's best work, capturing the essence of Ghostbusters with engaging gameplay and nostalgic design.
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90
Digital Chumps
Oct 14, 2022
AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details
A satisfying realization of a Ghostbusters experience with minor flaws, praised for its love letter to fans and engaging gameplay despite some technical issues.
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90
DualShockers
Oct 21, 2022
AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details
A 'real labor of love' that successfully captures the Ghostbusters spirit, praised for its fun, accessibility, and charm, though minor improvements are suggested.
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90
GameSpace
Oct 14, 2022
AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details
The reviewer enjoyed the game, emphasizing its nostalgic value, engaging gameplay, and attention to detail. They express enthusiasm for the title and recommend it to fans of the franchise.
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80
ZTGD
Oct 21, 2022
AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details
A lovingly crafted entry in the Ghostbusters franchise that balances nostalgia with engaging asymmetrical multiplayer. It is praised as Illfonic's best work and a must-experience for fans and newcomers alike.
80
Screen Rant
Oct 16, 2022
AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details
The review calls Spirits Unleashed an earnest and successful attempt to capture the Ghostbusters spirit, praising its enjoyable gameplay and story. It acknowledges minor flaws but concludes it is worth playing for fans.
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80
GameWatcher
Oct 21, 2022
AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details
Considered the closest authentic Ghostbusters experience yet, praised for its balance, nostalgia, and fun mechanics, though the story is not exceptional. Highly recommended for fans.
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80
Windows Central
Oct 14, 2022
AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details
The game is praised as a fun, immersive multiplayer experience with strong fan service, though its longevity depends on future updates. It is recommended for fans with friends but criticized for single-player shortcomings and limited content.
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80
WellPlayed
Oct 21, 2022
AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details
The game is praised as one of the best Ghostbusters iterations, with engaging multiplayer and fun roles, though it has flaws and relies on future updates for longevity.
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