Ghostbusters: The Video Game (Xbox 360)

Consider this a nonviolent "Buy It" if you have kids.
6/18/2009 5:26 PM | 3 Comments | Page 1 of 2

"Ghostbusters" was an unlikely candidate for highest-grossing comedy of all time. Sure, the 1984 film starred several box-office home-run hitters. With all the star power of Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd and Sigourney Weaver it's easy to forget that the movie was more than just a comedy. "Ghostbusters" was slathered with viscous coating of fantasy. The picture virtually dripped with science jokes, eldritch lore and harmless horror fun. So it was really no surprise that "Ghostbusters" was eventually unseated from its box-office throne by "Home Alone" -- a movie that aimed for the lowest common denominator and hit it square in the nuts with a can of paint.

Here is where the secret, subversive brilliance of "Ghostbusters" laid. It was a modern riff on H.P. Lovecraft, an (even more) comedic update of "Kolchak: The Night Stalker" and a love letter to anybody who loved watching "In Search of..." It was, essentially, a movie for geeks that snuck its way into the hearts and minds of millions, just like "Star Wars." And like Lucas' folly, "Ghostbusters" lived on in a handful of videogames, a regrettable movie sequel and a surprisingly good kids' cartoon. These spin-offs helped expand the series mythos and, in the case of the games, allowed fans to strap on a proton pack and kick spectral butt. Some 20 years later, Ghostbusters: The Video Game continues that admirable work.

With a script by Dan Aykroyd and Harold Ramis, the single-player game picks up threads left dangling by the original film. Again the wicked work of mad architect Ivo Shandor wreaks havoc on the city of New York. Turns out the insane Gozer-worshiper did more than just build an antenna for talking to God -- he oversaw a series of unnecessary renovations all over the city as part of a master plan to again unleash "the Destructor" on our world. We join the paranormal investigators as a kind of intern -- a voiceless, personality-free schlub who gets to tag along.

At first, being saddled with this weak avatar feels like a drag. But there's a method to the game's madness. When players dig into the game's worthwhile online multiplayer, they can choose to bust spooks as any of the beloved characters. Until then, you're just fresh meat, and the Ghostbusters treat you as such. They never bother to ask your name. Instead they call you "Scooter" and a zillion other demeaning nicknames. Hazing has a purpose. Like Winston Zeddemore before, you're the new guy, and the new guy always has to pay dues.

Eventually those dues get paid and you're in. And that's part of the fun of Ghostbusters: The Video Game -- working alongside Drs. Pete Venkman, Ray Stantz and Egon Spengler. The act of zapping, roping and capturing a ghost is viscerally satisfying -- just as it was when we did it in Luigi's Mansion. The payoff comes, of course, when said parapsychologists notice and compliment you on your work. Because, after all, you're the real hero here. Those other characters may be voiced by millionaire actors, but they're really just dumb artificial-intelligence bots too stupid and slow to do much more than back you up. They'll need rescuing more often than not. When the PKE Meter goes off the scale, you'll find the whole lot of them incapacitated on their backs, proton packs spewing white sparks. Sometimes they'll come to your rescue when you're in trouble. But they'll likely die on the way, forcing you to attack the tricky scenario anew. Deep down, these virtual Ghostbusters know that. And every so often they'll throw you a kind word or a pat on the back.