Cyberpunk Ninja

There are a ton of games vying for everyone’s attention these days. Sometimes it is nice to find one that pulls no punches in trying to get players into the game with no fuss. Ghostrunner is a simple title that relies on speed and quick reflexes as opposed to massive open worlds and complex skill trees. Think of it as a ninja version of Trials set in a post-apocalyptic world and you pretty much get the idea. The game delivers fast-paced action with uncompromising difficulty to create a symphony of death that speed runners and people with short attention spans will undoubtedly love.

While not the main focus, there is a story to be told here. Players take on the role of a cybernetically enhanced ninja who wakes up after being tossed out of a window. The only conversations happen inside his head from an ominous figure known as the architect. What I loved is that it is a well-told, if not predictable tale, that lets players absorb it at their own discretion. Every conversation happens as I move through the world, slicing down enemies. This meant I could stop to smell the roses, or just plow ahead dismembering foes.

MSRP: $29.99
Platforms: XB1 (reviewed), PS4, Switch, PC
Price I’d Pay: $29.99

Games like this live and die on their controls and accessibility. Ghostrunner is HARD. That doesn’t mean it is frustrating though. The first level took my life 16 times, and not once did I want to quit playing. Each death gave me a chance to reflect on my path and actions. I would get better. The loading times are almost instant, and checkpoints are very frequent. This means I am right back in the action taking on the challenge that just shot me down. It is intimidating at first, but by the end of the tutorial I was itching for more.

The game works because the controls are buttery smooth. At first, I was thrown off by the scheme. Having a jump button on a bumper made little sense until I discovered how to maneuver through the world. Once everything clicked, I was hopping through levels with ease. The action is visceral, and I enjoyed solving these action puzzles as the game went on. I don’t wanna know how much I died, but it has to be in the hundreds, if not thousands of times.

The game ramps up as well. It won’t be something where players get a host of abilities to make it easier. Instead the game moves from single shot foes to ones with automatic weapons. This just forces players to get better and better as it goes on. The introduction of new enemies keeps the game fresh and encourages players to try multiple styles and paths when solving each encounter. I have never enjoyed games that constantly punish the player outside of a handful, and they always rely on getting players back into the action quickly.

Visually the game looks sharp. The frame rate holds up for the most part, but the stylized city and fast action really help. The level designs are clever, giving players the ability to take various paths to destruction. The story may be minimal, but the voice acting is superb. The architect is an overbearing voice that demands to be listened to, while the banging soundtrack helps push the action forward.

Ghostrunner is a game of pain and suffering. Repetition sets in. It never deterred me from hitting continue though. This marks a nice balance of forcing players to master their combat, while also intriguing them to keep going. I absolutely had a blast and cannot wait to see the upgrades on next-gen consoles. This is not a game to sleep on, just be aware it may cause nightmares.

Review copy of game provided by publisher.