Weeklies

Game: "Ghouls 'N Ghosts"
System: Arcade
Genre: Action
Published by: Capcom

Reviewer: -RoG-
Posted: 9/14/2008

Review: When it comes to the Ghouls 'n Ghosts series (including Ghosts 'n Goblins, of course), people are completely divided with their opinions on the games. They either love the games for their fantastic graphics and challenges, or they absolutely loathe them for being ridiculously difficult in certain areas. Personally, I belong to the former group... I simply can't get enough of these games or the challenges they present.

My first experience with Ghouls 'n Ghosts was when it was ported to the Sega Genesis, and while there were some slight graphical differences, it was generally a very faithful reproduction of the arcade experience. Still, if you're going to take the time to play this beast of an action game all the way through, you might as well play the arcade version with the best sound and graphics.

It all starts off with Arthur, the infamous hero knight who wears nothing beneath his armor than some polka-dot underwear, on a quest to rescue Princess Prin Prin who has once again been kidnapped by some evil demons. The gameplay itself is very much like the original Ghosts 'n Goblins game, but there are some significant changes in this version. For one thing, Arthur is able to shoot upwards and he can also shoot downwards while jumping (which comes heavily into play with one particularly nasty boss fight with a giant grub). He also can gain a special golden armor which enables him to unleash magical spells to fight off the hordes of demons with. While there are a few new weapons in the game, I still prefer the knife above all others. It's fast and when combined with the magical golden armor, it creates a shadow of yourself for twice the firing power.

As for the enemies themselves, there are more than enough just waiting to frustrate the hell out of you on your long journey to battle the evil Loki (Lucifer). Countless zombies, evil wizards who turn you into helpless ducks (no really), puking pigs, bouncing turtles, the twisty tongues of gargoyles, grabby hands, and of course, a handful of those red devils that never leave you alone until one of you is dead. The bosses are pretty spectacular as well. A giant cyclops zombie in armor who rips his head off before attacking you, an angry floating eyeball surrounded by electric storm clouds, the aforementioned giant grub with multiple hearts, and a giant bee that can break down into a swarm of invincible little bees.

And let's not forget Loki himself. Your battle with Loki as he sits upon his throne while shooting lasers at you as the floor crumbles into lava is nothing short of epic. He's a huge boss that takes up almost the entire screen and it's definitely a nice note to end the game on. There is one catch, however. As with the other games in this series, you have to play through the entire game TWICE before you're even allowed to fight Loki. You see, you can only kill him with a special weapon... and the only way to get that weapon is to travel all the way back to the beginning of the game and then fight your way back to Loki once again. This is the kind of challenge that truly tests your gaming fortitude (and if you're playing it in the arcade, be prepared to spend a lot of quarters because it'll test your wallet as well).

Ghouls 'n Ghosts may be one hell of a tough game, but that makes it all the more rewarding when you finally do manage kill Loki and rescue Princess Prin Prin. It has some of the best pixelated graphics you'll come across, some amazing enemies and bosses, highly creative and difficult challenges, and memorable music. If you ask me, there's really no reason why anybody shouldn't love it, even with having to play through it twice in order to win. Take the time to play through the whole game and hopefully you'll see exactly what I mean.

Overall rating: WholeWholeWholeWholeHalf
(Scored on a 0.5 - 5 pickles rating: 0.5 being the worst and 5 being the best)

Reader Comments

That damn kid
Sep 15th, 2008, 06:45 AM


Oh ho ho ho, how I love these games. I didnt find them ridicuolusly hard though.
Fanboy
Sep 15th, 2008, 08:13 AM
The original G'n'G game was the reason I ended up tearing my C64 apart with my bare hands. Good to know Arthur is still in action.
Member
Sep 15th, 2008, 10:21 AM
I had Super Ghouls and Ghosts on the SNES, I never got around to playing Ghouls and Ghosts but if it is half as hard as Super I'm staying the hell away from it.

I remember the mental torture of the game, 3 lives was all you had, no saves, no continues. I only got to the last bit of the map once and an invisible demon suddenly appeared on top of me and rid me of my last life. Needless to say I picked up my SNES and smashed it up the wall in a fit of unrelentingly frustrated rage. I was kind of annoyed with myself afterward as I destroyed my SNES and had one hell of a telling off for the big hole in the wall.

It was about 10 years ago though when I was 8, I might have something of a chance if I play again. In fact I think I'll get it for my virtual console (or homebrew).
pickled
Sep 15th, 2008, 03:46 PM
I loved the Ghouls 'N Ghosts series, as well as Maximo. Sadly, I couldn't care less about the latest PSP game in the series. Harumpf!
Doctor Caliente
Sep 15th, 2008, 05:27 PM
Hardest... game... ever...

Well, actually Battletoads is probably the hardest game ever.

How 'bout "Hardest... series... of... games... ever..."
SKATASTIC
Sep 15th, 2008, 05:57 PM
If we get bored me and a friend usually drink a bunch, then play "Ghouls'N Ghost". We've been doing it on and off for 4 months now and we finally beat the firedog boss. Normally this game is hard. When drunk it's impossible.
Forgets Passwords Easily
Sep 15th, 2008, 10:44 PM
This whole series is on my Capcom Classic Collection I picked up used for PS2. That's proabbly the best video game decision I've ever made. I beat the highly enjoyable Maximo after owning it for five years, but but have not beaten Ghouls'n'Ghosts yet.
Serial Loiterer
Sep 16th, 2008, 07:40 AM
Anybody get the feeling that this game was released so that people would have to spend more money to replace broken controllers and consoles?
Retardedly Handsome
Sep 16th, 2008, 09:42 AM
This was the first game I saw someone rip the cord out of the controller over, Second was marble madness.
Vigilante All-Star
Sep 16th, 2008, 10:30 AM
Y'all should hunt down "Cannon Spike" for the Dreamcast. It's a smash tv style shooting game capcom made, and Arthur makes a Playable appearance in it (In his golden armor!)
Member
Sep 19th, 2008, 02:08 AM
This game is hell. Fortunately, emulation makes it possible to save your progress and you don't have to get all that frustrated by passing the game from the beginning once more. Yes, it may not be as challenging, but sometimes that's the only way you can make it to the end without ripping your fingers off.
SKATASTIC
Sep 19th, 2008, 05:49 PM
We played this again last night after reading the article. Another wasted 2 hrs, finally got to level 2 again.