Sony has finally begun adding more PlayStation 2 games to its PlayStation Plus Classic catalog. While the initial wave included popular titles like Sly Cooper and Tomb Raider: Legend, it was a lesser-known game called Ghosthunter that truly captured my attention. Developed by SCE Studio Cambridge, this third-person shooter has a unique charm and is surprisingly well-preserved for its age, released in 2004.
The game’s graphics, while a product of the PS2’s later years, hold up remarkably well. The opening cutscene, with its hooded figure wielding sci-fi guns and battling skeletal soldiers against a thumping soundtrack, embodies the early 2000s aesthetic. It’s a bit cheesy, but it sets the tone for the experience to come.
Ghosthunter throws players right into the action. After a brief introduction to Lazarus Jones, the protagonist, you’re armed with a gun and a special Capture Grenade. The core gameplay revolves around encountering ghosts, shooting them with traditional or energy weapons, and then using the Capture Grenade to trap them. Each ghost has a health bar, and players need to strategically inflict damage to capture them.
While the combat mechanics can feel clunky, particularly the transition between movement and combat modes, the ports on PlayStation Plus offer new tools to alleviate some of the awkwardness. Ghosthunter’s real strengths lie in its puzzles and the second playable character, Astral. At specific points, players can summon Astral, a ghost companion, to fly around the environment and reach areas inaccessible to Lazarus.
Astral can’t fight, but capturing enough ghosts of specific types unlocks new abilities for her, such as luring other ghosts, traversing through walls and ceilings, and manipulating objects to solve puzzles. The puzzles themselves aren’t overly complex, but the paranormal twist adds a fresh perspective.
Level design is another strong point. Although levels are mostly linear, the impressive graphics and lighting, especially when using the flashlight attachment on your gun, make exploring enjoyable. The environments are distinct and varied, with some truly bizarre and impossible spaces that enhance the game’s atmosphere.
Ghosthunter’s brevity, which could have been a negative during its initial release, works in its favor on PlayStation Plus. The combat, puzzles, and exploration are solid, but not groundbreaking, making the game’s 10-hour length ideal. It offers a satisfying experience without overstaying its welcome.
One specific moment near the end of the game, which I won’t spoil, genuinely surprised me with its timing and execution. It’s a detail that deserves more attention than it gets.
PlayStation Plus Premium’s classic game offerings have been slow to develop. The return of PS2 games is a welcome addition, and titles like Ghosthunter are exactly what I hope to see. It’s a reminder that sometimes, the hidden gems are the ones that truly capture the nostalgia of a bygone era. If you’re a fan of this era of games, Ghosthunter is a hidden treasure waiting to be rediscovered.
