GAME
Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex

Format: PS2
Ban Dai

£34.99

3 296580 801602
Age Restrictions: 16+
Available
06 May 2005


Based on the Manga comic books you can play as "Major" Motoko Kusanagi, Batou and Tachikoma as you battle your way through the levels to complete your mission...

Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex could have been a great game. The graphics look great and the back story is already well known. However Ban Dai have taken a fantastic franchise and made a total mess.

The first level is frustratingly annoying. It's not that it's taxing on the brain, just that it's almost impossible to get your character to jump where she is supposed to. In fact, the first time I played this I got so frustrated that I turned it off after only 30 minutes of play. That is not a good sign.

The game feels like one from the Tomb Raider franchise (your character jumps and grabs ledges in order to progress through some of the levels as well as shooting your way past the bad guys). Sadly, however, it's just not up to the standard of the Tomb Raider franchise - not even close to the travesty that was Angel of Darkness.

I also had major issues with the games rather poor auto save feature. This actually only saves the game at the start of each level, despite the fact it keeps telling you that it is saving as you progress through each level. What this means is that if you die it will back up to the last save point and allow you to try again. However, if you switch off the game and later try to complete a level you were stuck on, you'll discover that the game has only saved at the start of the level you were on - which is very frustrating.

An annoying, badly designed game, that will have you moving on to something more satisfying before you finish the first level. However, if you are bullish enough to stick with it (hell, if you've spent £35 you'll feel obliged to) you'll discover that you can easily complete this game in a day. Whichever way you look at it, this game is a huge disappointment.

Nick Smithson

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£26.99 (Amazon.co.uk)

   
£30.99 (MVC.co.uk)
   
£32.99 (Gameseek.co.uk)

All prices correct at time of going to press.