Official Website

Platform: PSP

Genre: Action Action

Number of Players: 1

I’ve really been enjoying seeing a number of older franchises make their way back into the limelight once again. While some are standby’s with rarely any lapse between releases, let’s say Pac-Man or Mario for example, other games that have been considered classics by longtime gamers are still relatively unknown by many. Long before the term “survival horror” came about by Capcom, they had yet another title that featured things that went bump in the night; Ghosts’n Goblins, and while there have been two games featuring a similar premise, the Maximo games (not considered sequels by fans) Ghosts’n Goblins has returned once more, this time in its “ultimate” form.

The forces of darkness and evil have abducted Princess Prin Prin (she and Princess Peach should start a support group) and there is but one brave soul who is willing to risk his life and save her; Arthur. Knowing the risks that he will confront him, Arthur takes on the dangerous mission and begins his journey deep into the bleak Demon Realm. Every manner of horrid beast is out to make Arthur’s stay a permanent one, but with his powerful magic and weapons, he alone may be the only valiant warrior who can save Prin Prin before it is too late.

Ultimate Ghosts’n Goblins goes back to the old school look and feel of the game; 2-D (though now I have to question why it was that Sony decided to not allow Konami to release a 2-D Castlevania.) I know that everyone these days loves 3D games, but there’s nothing wrong with the way that games used to be, and if Maximo didn’t quite appease your Ghosts’n Goblins thirst, this is going to be just the thing that you’re looking for. However, this isn’t quite the Ghosts’n Goblins that you might remember.

Ghosts’n Goblins comes from a long and illustrious line of action platform games, and that element hasn’t changed at all. In this Ultimate version, just like the original, Arthur jumps and attacks with a variety of weapons, but he’s got plenty of new tricks to help him survive in these dark times. The game wasn’t one designed to allow you to hold onto your weapons and use them as you wished, but instead your attacks will depend on whatever you’ve recently picked up, and there are some familiar types to be found such as the lance and dagger, but this new version offers you plenty of new ones that will quickly become favorites. There is the grand lance, a powered up version of your regular lance that will only allow one shot at a time, but will devastate everything that it comes into contact with. There’s the fire bottle, Ghosts’n Goblins own version of napalm, the boomerang scythe (perfect for grabbing out of the way items and bringing them back to you), the vine whip, a crossbow and my personal favorite (and one of the most difficult to obtain at times) the Swallow Blade. This handy item is a homing missile that will it zero in on nearby enemies.

When weapons fail or darkness gathers, magic may be the only solution. Arthur begins with flare magic, but in various stages you may uncover new magical spells to use. These can be equipped from your sub-menu and as you venture deeper into darkness you will find the means to add some power not only to your magic, but to your weapons as well. There are also various items that you will obtain as well as a new item, the shield. Once equipped simply push down to block attacks. Arthur’s other means of protection of course is his armor. Getting hit will cause it to chip away, eventually leaving you running around in your boxers, but you will find other, more powerful forms, but beware as there is also cursed armor which will eliminate your use of magic (and so will running around in your BVD’s.)

Another new element to Ghosts’n Goblins are the Warp Staves. Each level has one of these and once you’ve added them into your inventory, you can warp back again and unlock new items or perhaps even stock up on extra lives. Being able to re-enter stages is a tremendous help, especially as you begin to gain new abilities. At times you will see something, just out of reach, and not quite have the means to get it. Also, you will find areas where chests appear from no where, but they may be placed in a dangerous area. Once you’ve discovered the secrets to reaching these items and locations, you’ll be more than pleased to once again take on demonic hordes. More importantly however are the gold rings located in each stage, 33 total, and these will have a bearing on which ending you get.

Other changes in the game include some nice touches as far as the overall mechanics. I don’t recall ever being able to shoot up before, though I don’t think I ever really attempted it. Also, if you happen to “pass on” instead of starting at the beginning or middle of the stage, you’ll respawn just a short distance away from your point of death. The game also throws in some hilarious transformations thanks to magical pots and spell casting baddies. A walking skeleton, a locust, and ever a house-maid are just a few of the things that Arthur can find himself walking around as, though temporarily, if he’s not too careful.

Ultimate Ghosts’n Goblins certainly is a throwback to the glory days of the series, though in a very good way, but the graphics don’t suffer. The game actually looks better than it ever has, but is faithful enough to the original titles to easily grab the attention and love of long time fans of the series. The magical spells are quit eye-catching, the background heavily detailed (I love the corpses rotting away in the trees in the first stage) and the sound mimics the original game as well, but it’s not some third rate, 16-bit audio.

The word “ultimate” is in this title for a reason, and while everyone loves the modernized 3D platformers, don’t let the 2D aspect scare you. Ultimate Ghosts’n Goblins retains the loyalty to the originals that many revised classic on the market lack these days. Long time fan? New to the series? It doesn’t really matter. Ultimate Ghosts’n Goblins is a modern classic in the making and only the bravest of souls need play.
 

-mike-