Ghostbusters is a name pretty much everyone knows. From the movies to even the animated TV series from the 80s. We all have our favorite scenes, characters, and lines. There isn’t a time growing up to even now, that we didn’t want to be an actual Ghostbuster, trying to catch some ghosts while riding in Ecto-1 and hearing Ray and Peter make some of their infamous comments in some form or fashion. But does developer illfonic show and capture the spirit of the Ghostbusters? Let’s find out with the Ghostbusters: Spirits Unleashed – PS5 Collector’s Edition.

Ghostbusters: Spirits Unleashed is an asymmetrical horror multiplayer game based on the popular series where you play the newest Ghostbuster recruit as you use different weapons, level up, and work together to try and busts ghosts or become the ghost. So before you go in trying to bust ghosts and decide if you should cross any streams, there are a few things that you should be aware of. First, you will want to make sure that you go through the complete tutorial. Just because you have seen the movies, singing the song, and even submitted your own resume to become a Ghostbuster, you want to make sure you know how to work that proton pack to the fullest. Second, make sure you have a good pair of headphones as you will want to be able to hear all that is going on. Third, Ghostbusters: Spirits Unleashed is multiplayer-focused, so make some friends now if you don’t have any, or get ready to make some new ones as you start to play. Finally, you are about to be a Ghostbuster, so have some fun. With that said…let’s continue…

Now, I will say that if you want another side of the review that will focus more on the gameplay such as how it looks and plays on the PlayStation 4, check out @thebloodlegends review here:

As far as this review goes, this is more about the collector’s edition and PS5 aspect of the game. I have to say that the overall packaging of the collector’s edition is very well done. Inside you will find the following:

  • The Torbin’s Spirit Guide book replica case
  • The game
  • Poster
  • Stickers
  • Display stand

But, you also receive digital access to:

  • The Basher Ghost
  • A rare Ectoplast skin
  • Remote trap vehicle kit
  • Special P.K.E. Meter

When you first start Ghostbusters: Spirits Unleashed, you will notice on the main menu of the Epic Online Services and status. I will say, that no matter how many times I tried, this would not work. I am not sure what was going on, but I even went through Epic’s site to sign in and out, and still had the same results. Either way, this did not mess with any gameplay. You then have a choice, enter the Firehouse, Friends, or Settings. Unless you have played before, enter the Firehouse so you can not only hear that familiar music but start the tutorial. Here is where you will meet some new friends as well as some old ones to help along with the story of being the new recruit for the Ghostbusters. Make sure you take some time to get customize your character from the Body Type to the overall look. But one of the things I thought was a nice touch is your name on the left side of your uniform.

As you are continuing with the tutorial, one of the first places you will go is the Whitestone Museum of Nature and Science. This is where you will get to learn the ropes of being a Ghostbuster by using the P.K.E. Meter, setting out traps, and of course, using that Proton Pack. The object of being a Ghostbuster is to capture the ghosts and destroy each of the three rifts. If you do not close them, the ghost can escape and then scare civilians away and start to possess more things. You will want to try to calm civilians down by approaching them and hopefully they are not too freaked out by what is going on.

Using the Proton Pack with the PS5 Dualsense controller feels amazing. With the Haptic feedback, the amazing feeling of Adaptive triggers, and the overall feel of the controller, it really was a joy to play here. Searching for ghosts and the rifts, setting the trap, and trying to catch the rift (cause you are a new recruit, so why not?) just feels good. But it’s when you can start playing with others that really brings the party of trying to catch the ghosts.

At the end of each round, you or another person on the team should have, hopefully, caught the ghosts and closed all the rifts so each of you can start to level up. The more you level up, the more you can start to customize your weapons until you find the right combination that works for you. You have the option to customize your Particle Thrower, Proton Pack, P.K.E. Meter, and Ghost Trap. Along with the different jobs, there are daily and weekly challenges and active contracts to try and complete. Also, there are clippings that can be found throughout the map for you to try and collect. Different clippings do different things such as the Fungi give you experience. Yes, being a Ghostbuster is a blast, well, that is until you start talking with Ray and get to open up the Tobin Spirit Guide so you can play as a ghost and haunt the team and civilians.

Being a ghost, you can hide the rifts that the Ghostbusters are trying to close, use your scare ability, and possess and haunt different objects. There is nothing like haunting a vending machine and going after everyone. Just remember, just as being a Ghostbuster with the tools you need to bust ghosts, playing as the ghost, you have to watch out for those tools as the Ghostbusters can find you and will try and trap you. If you get trapped, you will need to keep pushing a certain button on the controller. The faster you push, the better chances you have of escaping. But the more Ghostbusters that there are trying to trap you at the same time, can make for a very challenging escape.

Let’s talk about the graphics and sound. Playing on the PS5, the developer made sure to try and put as much detail as they could and that includes the smaller items. Seeing the detail of the characters such as Winston and Ray to even the details of the ghosts. The sound was equally good with hearing the distinctive sounds of the blasters, the voice acting, and even the smaller things like items being destroyed or even the glass breaking. It did add to the overall Ghostbusters experience.

There are a few things that I would love to see added. First, more maps. Right now there are a handful of maps, which work, but it would be good to see a handful of others. Second, more people playing. There were a few times when I was able to join with other players which was fun, but then those times when it was just bots. And finally, the addition of Virtual Reality. Yes, Ghostbusters: Spirits Unleashed is not in VR, but seeing the arms on the screen, I just kept thinking this would be really fun in VR. This will not happen and is more of a want than anything else.

Ghostbusters: Spirits Unleased PS5 Collector’s Edition gives us nostalgia while letting us become a Ghostbuster and a ghost. It takes what we enjoy about the series and allows us to play with others. It doesn’t try to add and over the top experience but adds to an already familiar and loveable product that we know and love.

Ghostbusters: Spirits Unleashed PS5 Collector’s Edition is out now at a retailer near you. The Collector’s Edition was provided. To learn more about IllFonic, please visit their site, like them on Facebook, and follow them on Twitter.

In case you missed the trailer, please enjoy. Until next time, I have some Ghostbusters to try and scare.

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