Ghostrunner is a fast, intense, and brutal first-person action game. Set in a bleak neon-lit post-apocalyptic world, it puts you in the role of a cybernetic ninja climbing a massive tower filled with deadly traps and unforgiving enemies.The game demands concentration, quick reflexes, and a lot of patience. After finishing it, I realized that not every player will enjoy this level of punishment.
Ghostrunner Narrated Review
Watch my video review below. If you prefer watching to reading, click here to open it.
Ghostrunner Gameplay
Gameplay: Death Is Part of Learning
Every level of Ghostrunner combines first-person parkour and sword combat with one-hit kills for both you and your enemies. Every move needs precision. One mistake in positioning or timing sends you back to try again. That is also why I enjoyed it: each failure taught me something, and gradually I learned to move through fights with a better rhythm.
One of my favorite abilities is Surge, a ranged energy attack that can take out enemies in a straight line. It adds a tactical option without making the action less intense.
Level Design: Frustration and Satisfaction
Ghostrunner’s levels are difficult, but I generally found them fair. They test both movement and how quickly you can adapt to new threats.In the level ‘Inward and Upward,’ for example, I died more than a hundred times. Finally clearing it was incredibly satisfying, and few games have given me quite the same feeling.
Boss battles have their own surprises. Curiously, the first boss was the hardest for me, making it clear early on that Ghostrunner would not go easy on me.
Upgrades: Creative but Awkward
Upgrades use a puzzle grid where you arrange modules within a limited amount of space. It is an unusual idea, but not very convenient. A small mistake in placement can restrict how many skills you equip, and I can imagine players ignoring the system because it is not intuitive.
Visuals and Atmosphere: Strong Minimalism
Ghostrunner doesn’t have the sprawling cyberpunk world of a big-budget AAA title, but its atmosphere is convincing. Neon lighting, dark industrial spaces, and particle effects give the tower a cold, cruel, mechanical feel.
The electronic soundtrack raises the tension in combat. The sound effects for sword strikes and kills, however, lack some of the impact I expected from such a violent, fast-moving game.
Performance and Technical Issues
On PC, performance was generally stable and the controls felt precise. I did encounter one serious bug: when an enemy and I died simultaneously at a checkpoint, my character couldn’t move after respawning.I had to restart the game. It didn’t ruin the entire experience, but losing progress interrupted the momentum that Ghostrunner depends on.
Worth Playing, but Not for Everyone
Ghostrunner is a great fit for players who enjoy high-speed action and demanding challenges. It isn’t designed for everyone.
Every level has its own difficulties, which can be frustrating if you are impatient or still developing your reflexes. But overcoming those challenges is part of the appeal.
I strongly recommend it to anyone who enjoys dying repeatedly until a difficult section finally clicks. When I wrote this review, the standard edition cost about Rp345,000.
At a discount of around Rp100,000 to Rp200,000, I think it becomes a compelling deal even if you only want to give it a try. Bundles with DLC cost more, but may be worthwhile if you want additional challenges.
With a sequel already available, waiting for a discount is reasonable if you think the original feels old. But if you want demanding levels and intense platforming, I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend it.
Recommendation: Best for players who enjoy fast reflex-based action and can handle frequent deaths. Less suitable if story matters more to you than mechanical challenge.
Conclusion
Ghostrunner brings speed, challenge, and style together. It isn’t about an expansive world or a deep story. The appeal comes from learning the controls, recognizing enemy patterns, and mastering increasingly difficult obstacles.
For players seeking clever level design and demanding action, it’s an excellent choice. But if you dislike repeated failures and don’t have the patience to die dozens or even hundreds of times, consider carefully before buying.
