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(More customer reviews)In the 1980s, when human minds are less sophisticated, many video game concepts were centred on the theme of "rescuing the princess, saving the world". Ultimate Ghosts `n Goblins utilizes the same concept, and it's hardly surprisingly - it's a modern take on the original Ghost `n Goblins from 1986. In this 21st century rendition of this classic game, Knight Arthur returns (with his armor and, ahem, underwear) to save Princess Prin from the undead, again. To make the adventure more up-to-date, however, Capcom have added several new features to it. These include the introduction of 3D graphics, and new in-game tools and techniques that allow Arthur to defeat the enemies that stand in his way.
Apart from his usual repertoire of skills, Arthur has a number of new moves up his sleeves. One of them is the ability to dash, executed when you double tap left or right quickly. This is helpful when you need to clear an area fast, but it usually ends up badly due to the large number of enemies that appear on screen. Arthur also has the aptitude to grab, which makes platforming a little easier, since he can now hang on the edge of a platform without falling to his death after a missed jump. Shields are also introduced into the gameplay, which allow Arthur to repel attacks by simply pressing the down button on the D-Pad.
Despite the new abilities, however, Ultimate Ghosts `n Goblins remains insanely challenging even when played on the easiest of its three difficulty levels. To put it simply, the game is hard. Enemies will attack you in quick succession. They will also re-spawn regularly, leaving you with hardly any room to breathe. Even the platforming is tricky, and it regularly requires you to take a leap of faith, which tends to result in a fall to death. Don't be surprised if you find yourself doing a level over and over again until you get it right. This isn't necessary a bad thing, but it may discourage the less patient gamers.
To make life a little better, the game throws in some much needed aid. During the game, you'll find treasure chests, which usually house weapons and magical skills. As expected, different weapons produce different effects and range. For example, the lance (a default weapon) attacks reasonably quickly, but flies only in a straight line. The Boomerang Scythe (a new addition, by the way), on the other hand, flies a little slower, but has the ability to return to Arthur, thus clearing enemies that are closing in. Magical skills are more sophisticated to use, as they require Arthur to be equipped with armor, as well as to have enough MP. They're, however, much more powerful in dealing with the undead. The Time Magic, for example, slows time for everyone except Arthur. The Invincible Magic wraps a force field around Arthur, rendering any enemy's attacks on him useless for a limited period. These abilities only reduce the difficulty level slightly though, since you won't be getting powered-up all the time. You'll still have to be on your toes regularly to deal with the game's deliberately high demands.
The high level of difficultly wouldn't be the only challenge you'd face when playing Ultimate Ghosts `n Goblins. Unlike many other games, the game actually forces you to be a completist. Throughout the game, you may encounter some hard-to-find golden rings. You may think that the collection of these rings is an optional side quest (think the Mario Bros.'s gold coins) that won't impact the grand scheme of things. Well, you couldn't be more wrong. The locations of these rings are usually fairly well hidden, and you'd probably not notice them when you're just running for your life in most of the levels. You can run for all you want though, but when you reach the end of 5th level, you'll find that you won't be able to proceed to the game's final level without a prerequisite number of golden rings. This is where the warp portals come in - they'll allow you to return to earlier levels to relive the nightmare. This time, however, the nightmare will be scarier, because apart from running for your life, you'll have to hunt for those damn rings as well. But wait, it's not over yet. Collecting a different required number of rings will also unlock different endings (three in all) for the game. Again, this could be a welcomed challenge for the more daring, but an absolute whammy for the uninitiated.
Ultimate Ghosts `n Goblins is essentially still a 2D platformer, but the 3D elements add depth to the already nice graphics. They may look less polished when compared to the more flashy presentations on other PSP games, but the unique art style and level of details still look great nonetheless, even by today's standards. The soundtrack, though remixed, also brings back some fond (and some not so fond) memories of myself huffing and puffing through a level of Makaimura (the Japanese version of the original Ghosts n' Goblins) back in those days. The sound effects, however, are a little weak, and could do with a little more variety. Not that I really mind though, because the music is good enough to keep me contented. The game also comes with in an old-school D-pad (attachable to the PSP's analog button) for those who wants to relive the experience of playing the game on the NES controller. This is a really nice touch that adds some nostalgic value to the overall package.
In conclusion, Ultimate Ghosts `n Goblins may or may not be your cup of tea, depending on whether you're in for a challenge. Some aspects of it are frustrating, and it's certainly not an easy one to complete. But in an era when games are perhaps giving too much leeway to the gamer, it's a game like this that really dishes out a nice challenge to those who're in need of one. Ultimate Ghosts `n Goblins is a testament of how solid, challenging gameplay is all about, and I'd recommend it to anyone who's yearning for a good title on the PSP.
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Product Description:
The beloved armor-clad Arthur charges onto the portable gaming scene in Ultimate Ghosts'N Goblins, an exciting side-scrolling action adventure game for the PSP (PlayStation Portable) system. The long awaited fourth installment to the favored franchise sees the triumphant return of valiant knight, Arthur, as he saves the princess from the clutches of evil. Specifically recreated from the ground up, witness the evolution of the series with the inclusion of exciting upgrades and new gameplay features. In Ultimate Ghosts'N Goblins, Arthur's heroic battle with the underworld was finally over and the entrance to the realm was sealed. Time passes and unknowing to mankind, the dark lord has awaken from his slumber and kidnaps the princess in an effort to conquer the human world. Arthur must set off for the evil forest to save the princess from imminent doom and keep the devil, as well as his minions, at bay. The excitement and intensity of the forerunner continues as our armored hero takes on this new challenge for the sake of humanity. With the use of a 3D graphics engine, the Ultimate Ghosts'N Goblins world comes alive as effects, cutscenes, backgrounds and animations are given more depth and richer detail. Retaining the classic design of the series, several new facets have been created for a broader range of motion and control techniques. Now our hero has the capability to dash, double-jump, shoot up or down, grab onto ledges, etc. Furthermore, a new leveling system allows gamers to build up Arthur's skills for more powerful magic abilities and attacks.New save feature allows gamers to revisit cleared stages at anytime New level-up system for more powerful abilities and attacks Novice -An easier mode for those not familiar with the series Standard -The default setting for those wanting a challenge Ultimate -A setting reminiscent of past Ghosts N Goblin titles Extra lives mean starting where players left
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