Review: Ghosts’ n Goblins Resurrection

Duck, throw, dive, dive and dodge

Ghosts’ n Goblins it’s an absolute retro classic.

It’s a kind of old-school incarnation, it has no restrictions on some old game development philosophies: you’re either in or out. And even if you’re there, you could leave, after the game tells you to play the whole story again to see the “true end boss”.

It was crazy then, but it was a battle cry and a direct challenge. Ghosts’ n Goblins Resurrection it captures a lot of that same raw spirit, while at the same time making things a little more accessible in the process.

Ghosts’ n Goblins Resurrection (Switch)
Developer: Capcom
Publisher: Capcom
Release: February 25, 2021
PVP: $ 29.99

Resurrection it’s an interesting resurgence in which it clings to the pain of its predecessor, but it also allows for concessions and accommodations so people don’t stay out of the cold. There are four difficulty levels: Legend (the hardest), Knight (normal), Squire (easy) and Page (beginner, but with the caveat that you can’t see the whole game). Right there it tells you everything you need to know: this isn’t going to be a “veteran only” revival.

It also adds the two-player co-op wrinkle to the mix, which makes things even more accessible, as the second person can control three ghosts that can shield, raise, or build platforms for the first player, who has total control of protagonist Arthur. Nicknamed “the three sages” (and skillfully called “Archie.” [arch platform], Barry [barrier], and Carry [well,  he carries you]”), the cooperative element is a very fun way to change the script Ghosts’ n Goblins. I actually completed a full game using cooperative functionality; and both me and my partner had a lot of fun in the process.

You may also need some help from your friend Ghosts’ n Goblins Resurrection it can be brutal. Most checkpoints are a bit together, but some sequences require a lot of finesse and awareness to overcome them. In the highest setting, without using checkpoints or cooperative to get the highest possible score, it can seem as oppressive as the original.

I say “bring it on!” And that includes all the sliding scale options. I love the adaptive difficulty settings and even winning in Squire and Knight mode can get the same feeling of accomplishment as the original. In addition, the “magic metronome” can slow down or speed up the game. All of these levers are great, but they can’t always hide the bottom points of Resurrection.

Some portions of scenarios don’t feel so inspired and follow the school of thought “throwing tons of enemies at once”. Sometimes it is done elegantly, at other points, it feels randomly designed, especially for a few types of enemy that stand out from its reception. But then you get to the next checkpoint and everything is fine, for now.

It’s a little more playable than your average platform game. Resurrection it has a magic system that involves a small skill tree (with two branching paths) to add a loose level of playback to the mix. It includes the idea of ​​the “Shadow” worlds (remixed versions of levels that appear after completing them) and you have a platform game that is worth combing for at least a whole week; not just a weekend.

I know aesthetics probably go through your head – I’m with you. I’m constantly going back and forth whether or not I like the new artistic style. In the opening trailer, I thought I was rotten at times. But in practice, seeing how the mechanics adhere to the original and getting to witness all the unique character models inside, grew on me. This doubles for environments, which are often full of life.

Ghosts’ n Goblins Resurrection it doesn’t shoot all the cylinders constantly, but when you’re in the slot, on any difficulty or even with a high-running co-op, it reminds me why I liked this series in the first place. Capcom did a good job of preserving it and taking it to a new generation.

_{[This review is based on a retail build of the game provided by the publisher.]}

Ghosts’ n Goblins Resurrection reviewed by Chris Carter