Ghost Rider is one of my favorite superheroes, let alone characters from the Marvelverse. Yet, for years he's never had a video game which sucks because from the series rich mythology it's just ripe for a game to be made. Well, the wait is finally over, this game is another of my favorite comic book/licensed games of all time. It's also another entry in the "Under the Radar Video" series.
The graphical presentation is solid as the backgrounds and even the characters are all well-made, from the demon minions, but most importantly Ghost Rider's rogues and Ghost Rider himself all perfectly captured. The gameplay is also solid which you can say makes this game another wheel greaser as it takes its cues from the games "Devil May Cry" and "God of War". But I don't mind if it's fun and it is, this gameplay is just like any well maintain bike fits well.
Just like in those games there is the action RPG element as you collect enough souls you can purchase some upgrades from new combos, raising your health bar, all the usual goodies. There is also two other gauges to fill up from a set of red bars for ammo for your shotgun but also to use your penance stare which is the other gauge. The penance stare is circular green, when full you can obliterate every one of the enemies within your perimeter. But be careful as you can only use this one time, afterward you must refill it which isn't easy so use the penance stare for emergencies only.
This game has plenty of RPM from just simply playing as Ghost Rider giving you the feel of just using his chain whip weapon and just delivering all kinds of punishment on inhuman evil. All the combinations are solid and easy to learn, like one of my favorite moves is making the whirlwind chain move that just does wide range damage. But also, another is the back kick move which obviously was a cue taken from the "Tekken" series, but I don't mind whatever works.
One of the highlights of course is riding the bike, which is just awesome and handles well, even like the sound it makes when it does those big jumps and slides. Kind of makes me which they could make some sort of Marvel racing and car combat game; or better yet another "Ghost Rider" game just so I get to ride Ghost Rider's bike more.
It's just cool as you are shooting at demons in your way and even swinging at them "Road Rash" style as they are riding bikes either ahead or coming at you. There are even "Trials" like obstacles as you must execute jumps and even slides at the right time, just like in that game a matter of trial and error as you can't always expect to get thorough in just one go. I even like there is a mini boss fight or two which is basically a chase as you're trying to close in on them and make them roadkill.
And the last highlight is the story, really like the cinematic cut scenes which are done as a graphic audio novel. As there is a use of art and comic panels; but I really like the story which is its own story and is not based on the movie even though this game came out during its release. Though they did take a few things from it so newcomers won't get confused, but this helps in drawing in newcomers who after playing this game and even watching that film (for the record like) might want to explore the series and its mythology more. But I even like the voice acting which is solid all their voices just feel right and shows that an animated show on Ghost Rider is possible.
Though the game does hit a speed bump or two, like there are places where there is some unnecessary obstacles, mainly the demons that are shielded and to break the shield you have to fight till you reach a certain gauge and fill it up all the way. Not to say I couldn't do it, but these kinds of obstacles really cut into the momentum of the game. Also, the game is kind of repetitive as you fight most of the same kind of enemies in situations that kind of blend together as some of them feel the same just given a different coat of paint. But these speed bumps are small and few and due to the pacing of the game that never drags you hardly notice.
I would love to see another game based on this character from Marvel, let alone I love to see games from other Marvel characters that have yet to have a game or could use another like "Daredevil", "Moon Knight", "Captain America", etc. Their all opportunities just waiting to be ridden.
The "Ghost Rider" video game is a ride worth taking.
Rating: 3 stars.
