Ghost Master

Release Date: May 23, 2003

Strategy, RTS, singleplayer

90%

Steam

Rate It!

A unique real-time strategy game by studio Sick Puppies. You play as the eponymous Ghost Master, who arrives in the town of Gravenville to terrorize and scare its citizens. The game features 23 kinds of wraiths, ghosts, and other spectral beings. Each of them has psychokinetic energy, unique powers and skills to use against humans, who can be affected by four kinds of stimuli: optical, auditory, olfactory, and thermal.

Mechanics
Technical aspects

Ghost Master for PC, PS2 and XBX is a real-time strategy game in which you play as the eponymous wraith.

Mechanics

The Ghost Master is summoned from the spectral world to the town of Greenville to terrorize and scare its citizens. The task is a difficult one, as the humans are unpredictable opponents; however, as the Ghost Master, you can use 23 kinds of ghosts, wraiths, and other similar creatures, based on myths as paranormal theories. Each of them has psychokinetic energy, unique powers and abilities, which are to be used against humans. Your underlings can use about 150 powers in total, allowing them to move objects, create physical and spiritual phenomena, change their appearance, phase through walls, manipulate the environment's temperature, make humans hallucinate, etc.

Ghost Master recreates human lifestyle and individual behavior in a detailed way. The resistance to paranormal activity of the human characters varies depending on their age, preferences, and character; they also engage in daily activities, work, watch TV or clean. They can respond to four kinds of stimuli: optical, auditory, olfactory, and thermal.

Ghost Master consists of 20 missions, in which you have to achieve various goals, e.g. drive the humans out of a given place or aid three amateur sorcerers in finding the Book of Death.

Technical aspects

The game features fully 3D visuals with a distinct humorous touch. There are 16 varied environments, and during the game you can encounter over 100 humans. The production also features an intuitive and clear interface.

Last updated on August 14, 2017

Videos and Screens

90%

STEAM Score

All Reviews: Very Positive (1,640)

STEAM

User Reviews Summary generated by AI

The main pros of the game

Unique Concept: Players appreciate the originality of controlling ghosts to scare humans, which stands out in the gaming landscape.
Challenging Puzzles: Many users find the puzzles engaging and well-balanced, providing a satisfying gameplay experience.
Diverse Characters: The variety of ghosts with unique powers adds depth to the gameplay, allowing for creative strategies and combinations.
Humor and Charm: The game is noted for its humorous tone and clever pop culture references, enhancing the overall enjoyment.
Nostalgia Factor: Several reviews highlight a strong nostalgic connection, with many players having fond memories of playing the game during their childhood.
Interesting Levels: The game features a range of unique levels and objectives, preventing gameplay from becoming stale.

The main cons of the game

Technical Issues: Users report various technical problems, including slow performance and difficulties running the game on modern systems.
Limited Content: Some players feel the game lacks additional content outside the main missions, which affects replayability.
Camera and AI Issues: The camera controls are described as cumbersome, and the behavior of NPCs can be unpredictable, leading to frustration.
Graphical Limitations: Given its age, the graphics are considered outdated, which may deter some new players.

The features or elements that are missing from the game according to users

Lack of Additional Missions or Modes: Users expressed a desire for more side missions, mini-games, or an editor to create custom content.
Improved Accessibility: Some players mentioned the absence of localization (e.g., lack of a Korean version) and insufficient in-game explanations for mechanics, which could hinder gameplay for non-English speakers.
Ability to Use Unlocked Ghosts Early: Many users wished they could use newly unlocked ghosts in earlier levels rather than being restricted to starter ghosts.

Summary

Overall, while "Ghost Master" is celebrated for its unique gameplay and nostalgic value, it faces criticism for technical issues and a lack of modern features.

Summary generated on: November 25, 2024