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More Than I Expected

3 Rating: 3, Useful: 11 / 11
Date: May 16, 2005
Author: Amazon User

This is yet another recent licensed game that makes proper use of the source material. Any fan of the series should give it a look. Like the series, this game is not for kids, though I fail to see what really warrants the Mature rating. Now, I haven't been all the way through the game, but what I've experienced thus far is a little bit of blood splatter from bullet wounds. Unlike what I would expect from an M rated game, there are no over-the-top spigots of blood, no gore. Also, the blood fades quickly, and the bodies disappear soon after being shot as well. While the game makes no apology for killing, neither does it revel in the act. Besides, much of the enemy is robots and prosthetic bodies (read: full conversion Cyborgs).

That said, the level design is not very expansive, with only the occaisonal branch, and very few if any alternate routes through a level. The designers somehow manage to camouflage this, and end up with some rather cohesive and fun environments, though. I suppose it's because the fun here isn't from exploration. The fun of the environment is the beautifully rendered futuristic world true to the anime. I love the glows on the monitors, and in general the lighting in this game, while nowhere near as pivotal or complex as in Splinter Cell, is dramatic nonetheless. Outdoor environments draw the player out from the dark interiors into near-blinding light and alabaster concrete. It's really a stunning game to look at.

While we're on visuals, the animation in game is quite extraordinary as well. No "Enter the Matrix"--style climbing here (wow, that was one of the most hilariously bad animation jobs I've seen in recent gaming), only fluid running, flipping, jumping, and rolling. Quite a joy to watch Batou or the Major deftly dodge incoming fire and strike with several swift martial-arts blows. My favorite powerup is the Stun Equipment, which allows Motoko to deliver a jolt with each successive melee hit. The bright flash and the incredible power-house punches are really rockin'.

What truly makes this game good is its expert placement of save points. These are all automatic, so there is no break in immersion, and they never leave you too far behind the point where you bit the big one. The load times also make up for a few spots of tedious difficulty that otherwise would be game-breaking. Because of the forgiving re-try rate, I can excuse the clunky wall jump controls and slightly unpredictable behavior in that regard.

The difficulty in the Normal game ramped up about as fast as I expected, and made no allowance for the inexperienced gamer. I suppose for you GITS-first fans, Easy would be perfect, but I expect once I beat the game, I will replay it on Hard mode.

Despite the lack of variation, which is compensated only by the change in player character every few levels, I think that this game could have some great replay value. The fast-paced action never really bogs the player down into having to wait for the game (think Splinter Cell, for a game that really bores me on subsequent playthroughs; I just end up waiting around to get to the good parts, and the tedious parts require the most waiting and precise timing). The whole game really rewards players for doing things at their own pace.

So, for a game that I expected to feel slow and clunky, I was surprised by a smooth, fluid game experience whose visuals and game mechanics are unexpectedly good. This is a game for gamers, and a game for GITS fans, though I would hesitate to reccomend it to just anyone. I based this review on two days of play, from a rental copy, though with a $20 price tag, I think it belongs in a permanent place in my collection.

A worthwhile game if you're a fan of the anime

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 10 / 12
Date: January 10, 2005
Author: Amazon User

I don't get around to playing too many games, but I'm a big fan of the GITS movies, TV series, and (lest we forget what came first) the manga by Shirow Masamune. The premise of the game was intriguing enugh for me to pick it up, and I was not disappointed except for a few aspects of the game but I'll get to that momentarily.

In the game you switch playing the roles of Major Kusanagi and Bateau trying to piece clues together as to who's using mind-controlling micro-machines to stage a government coup. I won't ruin the plot for potential players, but I will say that, as is the usual with the GITS series and movies, it takes us through the same territory of man versus machine dominance and the different levels of conscienceness, etc. I applaud the game for this single nuance because it's not your usual overly-simplified Good vs. Evil plot.

There are a total of nine missions to be completed in order to finish the game, split into different stages accordingly, and about 2/3 of the game is played as Kusanagi, the rest is played as Bateau (though there is one stage where you get to pilot a tachikoma, an enjoyably mindless fun break from the rest of the game). As you will discover, the Major is lighter and more flexible than Bateau, so she spends more time jumping from rooftop to rooftop. Bateau, who is noticeably heavier, spends more time running and gunning, but he makes up for his immobility by getting the bigger guns to achieve his goals.

For more avid gamers than I, especially those who are in tune with the later Tomb Raider games and Prince of Persia games, gameplay here is probably nothing to write home about, which is where I feel the game falls short, literally. If I hadn't died a few times trying to figure out, "How do I get from here to there," without getting shot by a sniper or just generally falling from certain heights, the shortness of the game probably would have been more noticeable. A skilled player could probably finish this game in a few hours. It's a fun few hours, granted, but I don't know how much replay value this game has beyond the multi-player death-match portion that I have yet to have tried.

All in all, I recommend this game to the fans of the GITS series completionists who want a more in depth look into the universe. For the otherwise average gamer, this is probably a rental.

One of the few anime games that is good... A rare breed

3 Rating: 3, Useful: 8 / 10
Date: April 20, 2006
Author: Amazon User

Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex - Circa 2005

GOOD:
- Really balance gameplay (combat wise), controls feel solid and functional
- Hack enemies and control them for a short period of time (even use them to kill other enemies)
- Play as Major and Bato, every other level or so you alternate
- The Story feels true to the sprit of the Stand Alone Complex series

BAD:
- The Tachikoma level in this game is a little lame, plus maybe its just my imagination but I feel that the Tachikoma's voices are a little more irritating than usual in this game
- Some jumping puzzles sour experience
- You pretty much have to be a fan of the show it like this game, story wise at least
- Graphics may come off a little lacking when compared to more modern games

IF IT FITS YOUR TASTE:
- In game dialog and story can be considered boring and nonsensical to most, but then again it's the type of dialog and story that is present in the show, either you love it or hate it
- A story that is more geared for an adult audience and mature gamers, not in the sense that is overly violent or sexual but that the story is more political based, think of it like the show 24 but in Japan and also 200 years in the future
- In the game you only play as Major and Bato, this game never really fleshes out the other characters (gameplay wise), which is not bad (especially for those who like Major and Bato the best) but it might be considered short sighted
- Lots of run and gun gameplay which can appeal to many gamers

GAME ITS MOST ASSOCATED TOO:
- Brute Force
- Blood Rayne
- Gun Grave

ADDITIONAL NOTES:
- The story in this game is not based on any actual Ghost in the Shell episode
- Two players versus mode (beat game to unlock more content in this area) is fun, but only available in a spilt screen mode

A Game a fan can enjoy!!!!!!!!!

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 2 / 2
Date: February 16, 2006
Author: Amazon User

This game while not the best of the best still has it's merits. If you're a fan of the anime then you'll most likely find the game fun. You can brain dive, do acrobatic moves, use weapons from the series and what's best is that the game even has the voice actors straight from the series so you can at least be sure that there's quality voices.

Great history, bad graphics

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 2 / 3
Date: November 10, 2006
Author: Amazon User

I'm a fan of the anime series, and I buy this game for that. The history in the game is awesome, but the graphics engine and the movements of the characters are to clumsy. My recomandation, if you are a fan of the series, buy it, otherwise, think it twice.

Ghos hack humans are so pathetic

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 2 / 6
Date: December 23, 2004
Author: Amazon User

I'm a huge fan of the series and it really does put you right in the GITS universe. The levels are well designed and you get a real sense of scale. I especially like hacking enemies (there could have been a little more).

All the characters are true to the series.

Playing With All Your Ghost

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 1 / 2
Date: March 09, 2007
Author: Amazon User

Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex is an excellent game. It echoes the spirit of the series, as well as providing background information on the characters. (Togusa!! Yay!!) The game play is difficult, even when set on "Easy" mode, and can be frustrating to a player that isn't experienced with the PlayStation 2.

The only quibble I have is the formatting of how Major Kusanagi runs. Batou is a much more stable fighter IMO. But anyway. Overall, this is an excellent game! Pray that they'll make more!

GITS SAC

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 1 / 4
Date: February 25, 2006
Author: Amazon User

I bought it a while ago, but I haven't played it much yet because of other games I'm playing. I'm a huge anime fan so I bought it. From the first two stages that I played it is very good. I like how it isn't a real fps, but more like a third person shooter. The graphics are nice. I don't like the dubbed voice acting in this. I was hoping it would have an option for the Japanese one. I will definitely play it when I finish with my other games.

how about that a video game

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 1 / 11
Date: September 18, 2005
Author: Amazon User

If your in to anime and a Ghost in the Shell fan then get this game. She runs fast and you get to shoot guns at enemies. Their are also machines in this video game.

Great game

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 1 / 14
Date: December 02, 2004
Author: Amazon User

This game is great I mean it I just got this and it is realy good and eney anima fan will love Ghost in the shell stand alone complex and the levels are realy good the graphics are great well what can I say it's just a great game and everyone should be able to get this game and if you don't your missing out on all the fun.

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