PS1 game--If you ever wondered what an animated version of Shirow's manga would look like, then you have to see the cut scenes from the PlayStation Ghost in the Shell game (1997)--especially the opening sequence. It was this that made me buy the game, years after it came out.
Unfortunately, the game itself is not what you might expect.
Strictly a Fuchikoma-based shoot-'em-up, as a player you never get to be Motoko or any of the other established members of Section 9. Instead, you are the "rookie," trapped forever in your Fuchikoma, shooting at enemies on various levels and eventually reaching the very tough bosses (and I mean VERY TOUGH).
previous |
next
While frustrating in some ways, though, the GitS game does have very positive points. For instance, in your Fuchikoma you can skitter up walls (and even sideways along walls, making for a very odd perspective) and jump very high in the air, and the graphics are good enough for the time. And, of course, the cut scenes are worth the price of the game.
And worth the price of the soundtrack is the game's ... er ... soundtrack. The soundtrack CD is very electronic, a sort of combination of techno and industrial (and, OK, I'm using these terms in a rather old school sort of sense). It is very good as a background to the game, and really works on its own as well.
Indeed, for a game based on a film or comic, this is quite decent. If I were on X-Play or somesuch show, I'd probably have to give this an overall 3.5 out of five.
previous |
next
PS2 game--Yes, Bandai released a PS2 Stand Alone Complex game--and yes, I haven't played it. SO the below is taken from the rumours I heard when it was coming out. If any of this is wrong, for heaven's sake, tell me!
What kind of game is it? PS2 SAC is a third-person action game (like many others), in which you can play as Motoko Kusanagi, Batou, or a Tachikoma (in single-player mode, anyway). Your mission? To take out a terrorist group. The vagueness of the mission objectives is, hopefully, due to the rarity of English translations or web sites for the game and not due to any vagueness in the game itself.
previous |
next
In single-player mode, there are roughly 12 levels, in which you'll be able to "make use of about 15 different weapons including sniper rifles and rocket launchers. You'll also have access to various additional abilities like hacking into computers and having mind control over your enemies" (GameSpot).
In multiplayer mode, up to four players may engage in a deathmatch or in team matches. Additional characters, costumes, and weapons are available.
PSP game--I don't have this one, but I'll find out more about it. It is not, as far as I know, a rehash of the PS2 game.
previous | next
Overall, this film is a fitting successor to Akira and Blade Runner, and I am quite pleased that it has generated so much attention over the years and has helped (along with Shirow's manga, of course) generate a sequel and a tv series.
previous | next
Overall, this film is a fitting successor to Akira and Blade Runner, and I am quite pleased that it has generated so much attention over the years and has helped (along with Shirow's manga, of course) generate a sequel and a tv series.
previous | next
