Ghost Song

After a promising opening, Ghost Song collapses under the weight of its ill-conceived mechanics.

A moody Metroidvania with enough Hollow Knight DNA to tide you over until Silksong, but its stilted protagonist and occasional lack of direction prevents this from being one of the all-time greats.

Ghost Song is a game that wears its inspirations on its sleeve with pride, and although it may feel a bit derivative at times, it is still able to create its own identity through a great combat system and unique worldbuilding. While the game can be brutally difficult, "explorer" mode makes the game more accessible than it would otherwise. Unfortunately, the game suffers from significant performance problems on Switch, from an inconsistent frame rate to extensive loading times that destroy any flow the game has. If you're willing and able to look past those issues, Ghost Song is an easy recommendation for any and all fans of the Metroidvania genre.

Ghost Song blends common gaming elements with strange surprises, and the end result is certainly more than the sum of its parts.

Ghost Song is a haunting trip to a dying world worth taking.

Ghost Song is an aesthetic descent into sadness that could've been much more, yet stumbles on the final lap. The game explores interesting characters while filling out the game world with melancholia, acting as a love letter to the Metroidvania and Souls genres. The soundtrack brings a resounding presence to the game that really cements that overall vibe for the player, enticing them in for more. There is enjoyment to be had here, but players might find that wonder and mystery replaced with frustration when coming up against bullet sponge enemies and a game narrative that never quite resolves in a satisfying way.

undefined.Taken as a whole, what you get out of this experience will vary dramatically based on how much its melancholy tone and setting make up for its sometimes unforgiving design elements. Although its boss fights are an annoyance, the haunting atmosphere, contemplative character writing, and well-realized space leave a far greater impression than its gameplay gaffes, repeatedly pulling me back into this world. There have been many cracks at this genre since Metroid's chiptune synths first accentuated its foreboding alien backdrop, but few emulate and transcend its ambiance as well as Ghost Song.

Ghost Song left a slight bitter taste in our mouths when we consider its considerable potential.

Ghost Song is a gift to every metroidvania fan. And with all allusions to inspiration material, the game never loses its own face.

After a nearly decade-long journey, Ghost Song finally sees the light of day. The Old Moon project, led by Matt White, turns out to be a solid and charming metroidvania that aims to honor Super Metroid and Dark Souls. An inspired art direction supports a rather classic gameplay that competently combines and synthesizes the paradigms of the reference genres, not without some minor smears. A title in which ludics and narrative blend into a beautiful nostalgic song that everyone should have a chance to hear.