Ghost Watchers Review - The Frightening Phenomenon of Ghostly Gameplay
A heart-pounding and co-op online horror extravaganza that'll make you shriek with both terror and delight!
Early Access Review
last updated Nov 21, 2023
Brimming with ghoulish charm and bone-chilling gameplay, 'Ghost Watchers' captures the essence of a good ghost story and turns it into an interactive terror fest.
Spectral Shenanigans and Gameplay Grind
Getting down to nitty-gritty gameplay, 'Ghost Watchers' checks all the boxes for an innovative, suspense-filled ghost hunting experience, which will keep you on your toes. The hide-and-seek with the afterlife has been given a good old twist with the ghost ‘reveal’ mechanic, ensuring that every match is a mini investigation rife with adrenaline and cold sweats. Your ghostly adversaries don't just float about aimlessly; they have unique abilities and tricks to throw at you, making each encounter a new horror story. While the gameplay is robust, the grind to reach higher levels can be akin to ghost hunting in purgatory. But hey, the longer the hunt, the sweeter the scare—the chase for a diverse array of ghosts keeps the thrill alive.
Wails and Whispers: The Audio Experience
Diving into the audio, 'Ghost Watchers' skillfully uses sound to create a hair-raising atmosphere. The eerie silence punctuated by otherworldly whispers and the sudden crescendo of a specter's wail keeps you perpetually on edge. However, it's not all screams and despair—the audio design is also neatly layered with a very good, background score that's like a cherry on the top of this spooky cake. A complimentary aspect, the voice acting from our ghostly friends, while not eargasmic, is convincing enough to elicit a slight jump or an accidental yelp. So, deck your setup with the best headphones, and let the soundscape of this game haunt your very soul.
A Ghastly Display: Graphics and Performance
On the visual front, 'Ghost Watchers' offers a delightful variety of well-crafted environments, from dusty attics to sinister cellars. With good graphics that elevate the scream factor and a lighting engine that plays peekaboo with shadows and your sanity, the game does not disappoint. Despite its indie roots, there's an impressive level of detail in each setting, enhancing exploration and immersion. Performance-wise, the game doesn't need you to summon a high-spec machine from another realm. Minor hiccups with bugs are as rare as a friendly ghost but not completely unheard of. So, while it might not need an exorcism yet, keep the ritual components handy, just in case.
Spirited Teamwork and Matchmaking Mayhem
Let's talk multiplayer and matchmaking - because let's face it, ghost hunting is far more fun with a friend screaming right beside you. The co-op experience in 'Ghost Watchers' is riveting when it works. Having a well-coordinated team makes gameplay infinitely more engaging, as every move requires full-on strategic teamwork. However, should you try to go it alone or rely on the online matchmaking gods, prepare for a spookier kind of despair. With a player base that could use some resurrection, sometimes it's more about ghost town vibes than ghost town hunts, striking fear in the solo player's heart.
An Arsenal to Battle the Beyond
Every good ghost hunter needs their tools, and 'Ghost Watchers' doesn't skimp on the spectral arsenal. From the artistic liberty of 'gigantic laser beams' to drones that seem straight out of ghostbuster fantasies, your encounters with the other side are well-equipped. It's a pertinent hat-tip to the developers for not only offering standard equipment but also ramping up the hunt with modifiers that add an enjoyable competitive edge to the game. Yet, while the loadout is commendable, further refining the hunting process wouldn't be amiss—the Pentagram troubles and ectoplasm collection could use a little less frustration and a dash more holy water.
EARLY ACCESS RATING
Developer
Renderise
Publisher
Renderise
Early Accesss Release Date
July 28, 2022
Verdict and Summary
All in all, 'Ghost Watchers' is a triumph of indie horror ingenuity that successfully builds upon the foundations laid by its peers. Brimming with ghoulish charm and bone-chilling gameplay, it captures the essence of a good ghost story and turns it into an interactive terror fest. While not without its quirks and momentary lapses in the multiplayer realm, it stands creeping head and shoulders above many in its genre. If the thought of getting your frights with a side of giggles all for the price of a few chicken nuggets sounds appealing, then this is the game for you. Strap in, grab your pals, and get ready to scream and laugh your way through one hauntingly good time!
