Written by Anthony L. Cuaycong
Title:
Ghosts ‘n Goblins ResurrectionDeveloper: Capcom
Publisher: Capcom
Genre: Action
Price: $29.99
Ghosts ‘n Goblins has had a reputation for being a hard game, and is infamous for its high difficulty curve and punishing design. Considering what it stands for, no eyebrows were raised when Capcom opted to stick to its extremely punishing gameplay when it comes to its successor. In fact, the Japan-based developer stuck to a familiar story in presenting Ghosts ‘n Goblins Resurrection as knight Arthur’s quest to rescue his damsel in distress from the clutches of an evil demon. A missed opportunity to expand upon the source material’s premise? Perhaps. All things considered, however, it’s not really that much of a loss when the gameplay does the intellectual property proud and sticks the landing.
With seven brutal levels to play through and eight different weapons to wield, Ghosts ‘n Goblins Resurrection is the classic Ghosts ‘n Goblins experience cranked to 11. Enemies continually spawn to harass you, invariably with a desperate vigor to take you down. You’ll trek through all the classic stages, from haunted graveyards to ruined castles, and fight a plethora of difficult foes and min-bosses that stand in your way. It’s a tough experience, especially given the fact that Arthur’s constitution is far more fragile than his knightly stature would imply. It’s not an easy game by any means, and, given how aggressive the enemies are, it occasionally borders on being unfair. But that’s what makes it so engrossing. The seemingly insurmountable struggles make victories taste all the sweeter. And while you’ll die again, and again, and again, Ghosts ‘n Goblins Resurrection is all about learning patterns and being patient. Make that extremely patient. When you understand the proper balance between rushing forward and stopping, that’s when the game is at its finest.
Fear not, though, for while Ghosts ‘n Goblins Resurrection can be frustrating, it’s got some extra features that can give you a helping hand if you’re having trouble. For starters, there are four difficulty levels to choose from, giving you plenty of flexibility in how you want your experience to be – with the lower difficulty levels giving you extra hit points to help you get through the stage. The ability of a cooperative feature means you can team up with another player if you don’t feel confident you can finish a level on your own. Meanwhile, the game’s checkpoints are spaced just enough to not feel too frustrating. (If you ever feel the need to challenge yourself, the "Legend" difficulty will more than test your skills.)
All told, Ghosts ‘n Goblins Resurrection stands as the franchise’s best release, especially when combined with its stylized visual design. It’s brilliant side-scroller, one that will definitely test your mental fortitude AND your skill. In the aftermath of one of your myriad deaths in the game, you will find yourself asking if you’re ready for another challenge. No matter your decision, you’ll never forget your experience – no small feat for a game that uses the same formula of the 36-year-old original. Clearly, the best classics last. The spit and polish simply make it look prettier.
THE GOOD- The classic Ghosts ‘n Goblins experience at its finest
- Allows for more flexibility in how it can be enjoyed, with various difficulty modes and a coop feature to spice things up
- Striking new, stylized art that also helps in letting monsters stand out
THE BAD- Not much added content
- Can still be as frustrating as ever
- Depending on how skilled you are and what difficulty you choose, can have a short runtime
RATING: 9/10
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