Review: Ghosts’ n Goblins Resurrection

Duck, throw, dive, dive and avoid

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

In a way it embodies the old school, it does not have the restricted feeling of some old philosophies of game development: either you are or you are outside. And even if you’re inside, you may finally come out after the game tells you to resume the whole story to see the “true final boss.”

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

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

Resurrection it is an interesting rebirth in that it adheres to the pain of its predecessor, but also allows for concessions and accommodations so that people are not left in the cold. There are four difficulty levels: Legend (the toughest), Knight (normal), Squire (light) and Page (beginner, but with the warning that you can’t see the whole game). Right there it tells you everything you need to know: this will not be a “veterans only” rebirth.

It also adds the wrinkle of cooperation with two players in the mix, which makes things even more accessible, as the second person can control three ghosts that can protect, raise or build platforms for the first player, who has full control over the protagonist Arthur. Nicknamed “the three wise men” (and cleverly called “Archie [arch platform], Barry [barrier]and Carry [well,  he carries you]”), the cooperative element is a very fun way to return the script Ghosts’ n Goblins. In fact, we completed a complete rendering using cooperative functionality; and both my partner and I had a lot of fun in the process.

You may need a little help from your friend as well Ghosts’ n Goblins Resurrection it can be brutal. Most checkpoints are somewhat close, but some sequences require a ton of finesse and awareness to get through. In the highest setting, without using checkpoints or cooperation for the highest possible score, it can feel as overwhelming as the original.

I say “bring it!” And that includes all the options for the sliding ladder. I like the adaptive difficulty settings and even winning in Squire and Knight mode can get the same sense of accomplishment as the original. In addition, “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 Resurrection.

Some parts of the stage don’t feel as inspired and go to school thinking “throw a lot of enemies at you right away”. Sometimes it is done elegantly, at other points, it feels designed by chance, especially for some types of enemies that exceed their reception. But then you get to the next checkpoint and everything is fine, for now.

It’s a little more playful than your average platformer. Resurrection has a magic system that involves a small skill tree (with two branching paths) to add a neat level of playback to the mix. Throw away the idea of ​​the “Shadow” worlds (remixed versions of the levels that appear after completion) and you have a platformer that deserves to be lost for at least a whole week; not just a weekend.

I know that aesthetics is probably in your mind: I’m with you. I constantly stop back and forth whether or not I like the new style of art. In the original trailer, I thought it was sometimes rotten. But in practice, seeing how much the mechanics adhere to the original and coming to witness all the unique character models inside, it grew on me. This is double for environments that are often lively.

Ghosts’ n Goblins Resurrection does not constantly shoot all the cylinders, but when you are in the groove, in any difficulty or even with a high-speed cooperative, it reminds me why I started to like this series in the first place. Capcom has done a pretty good job of preserving and bringing 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