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Ghost Song

Ghost Song

Old Moon · released Nov 3, 2022

ActionAdventureIndieRPGPCPlayStation 5, PlayStation 4Xbox Series X, Xbox OneNintendo Switch

On the desolate moon of Lorian, a long-dormant Deadsuit awakens from slumber. Journey beneath the surface on an atmospheric 2D adventure of self-discovery, ancient mysteries, and cosmic terror. Explore winding caverns and acquire new abilities to unearth this alien world’s long-buried secrets.

77
VGC Score
Stablehigh confidence

anchored at patch: “Explore New Mysteries in Ghost Song’s Latest Update—Out Now!” (2y ago)

80%
At launch
83%
Steam all-time
78%
Press
72%
Player sentiment
85%
Recent sentiment

Screenshots & trailers

Review sentiment over time

Weekly positive-review rate (green) and review volume (bars). Dashed lines mark significant patches; the amber line is the start of the current scoring window. Hover the dots to see what drove a dip or a jump.

How this score was computed

The VGC Score is a weighted blend on a press-comparable 0-100 quality scale. Steam approval rates are first calibrated (95% positive on Steam ≈ 89.5 quality, since Steam approval skews high). Press and tracked creator reviews each count ~2x a player review and share one cap against player evidence (creator buy/skip calls pool into an approval rate, calibrated like Steam approval); all-time sentiment is capped and halved (it's context, not verdict); reviews of the current build carry the most weight when a fresh patch anchors the window; and a 'typical game' prior keeps small samples from pegging the scale. Because press reviews and Metacritic user aggregates describe the launch build, their weight decays as the game ages (3-year half-life after a 1-year grace). That's how a game that launched rough can outgrow its old reception once updates win players over. Reviews under 2h playtime (the refund window), non-Steam activations, and free copies are downweighted.

ComponentPositiveQuality (0-100)Weight (pseudo-reviews)
Press reviews (OpenCritic)7829
All-time Steam reviews83%77729
Metacritic user ratings7222
Post-patch Steam reviews (trust-weighted)85%79352
Calibration prior (typical game)7250

Scoring window: since the last significant patch (Sep 28, 2023) · 300 reviews sampled · 352 total reviews in window · weighted 178.1 up / 30.7 down · computed 4h ago · full methodology →

Press & Creators reviews (30)

Individual verdicts from outlets we track: scored reviews first, most trusted outlets first among them. The small badge is each outlet's trust score: how well its scoring history aligns with players.

  • 80
    trust 78Nov 19, 2022

    Ghost Song is a gift to every metroidvania fan. And with all allusions to inspiration material, the game never loses its own face.

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  • 70
    trust 76Nov 6, 2022

    Ghost Song is a game that wears its inspirations on its sleeve with pride, and although it may feel a bit derivative at times, it is still able to create its own identity through a great combat system and unique worldbuilding. While the game can be brutally difficult, "explorer" mode makes the game more accessible than it would otherwise. Unfortunately, the game suffers from significant performance problems on Switch, from an inconsistent frame rate to extensive loading times that destroy any flow the game has. If you're willing and able to look past those issues, Ghost Song is an easy recommendation for any and all fans of the Metroidvania genre.

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  • 80
    trust 74Nov 25, 2022

    undefined.Taken as a whole, what you get out of this experience will vary dramatically based on how much its melancholy tone and setting make up for its sometimes unforgiving design elements. Although its boss fights are an annoyance, the haunting atmosphere, contemplative character writing, and well-realized space leave a far greater impression than its gameplay gaffes, repeatedly pulling me back into this world. There have been many cracks at this genre since Metroid's chiptune synths first accentuated its foreboding alien backdrop, but few emulate and transcend its ambiance as well as Ghost Song.

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  • 71
    trust 70Nov 3, 2022

    While Ghost Song has a certain beauty to it, and offers decent play, it just doesn’t make a lasting impression

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  • 85
    trust 69Oct 31, 2022

    Light on challenge but heavy on atmosphere and exploration, Ghost Song is a welcome addition to the library of any Metroid-like fan.

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  • 80
    trust 69Nov 8, 2022

    There have been frustrating boss fights, sure, but that was my experience with Hollow Knight too, and it's a similar feeling here. Finally beating these tough-as-nails bosses gives you a great feeling of accomplishment (and relief), although they're probably not for everybody. It's definitely worth a shot if you enjoy Metroid, Hollow Knight, or the Souls series.

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  • 60
    trust 66Dec 13, 2022

    Ghost Song is an aesthetic descent into sadness that could've been much more, yet stumbles on the final lap. The game explores interesting characters while filling out the game world with melancholia, acting as a love letter to the Metroidvania and Souls genres. The soundtrack brings a resounding presence to the game that really cements that overall vibe for the player, enticing them in for more. There is enjoyment to be had here, but players might find that wonder and mystery replaced with frustration when coming up against bullet sponge enemies and a game narrative that never quite resolves in a satisfying way.

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  • 100
    trust 65Oct 31, 2022

    Ghost Song is the perfect mix of Metroid and Hollow Knight, creating a gorgeous-looking game full of exploration, a great story, and a creepy atmosphere. If you like Metroidvania-style games, make sure you check out this title!

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  • 49
    trust 64Nov 9, 2022

    After a promising opening, Ghost Song collapses under the weight of its ill-conceived mechanics.

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  • 80
    trust 63Nov 1, 2022

    A solid Metroidvania with nice graphics and controls, but lacks some technical refinement.

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  • 80
    trust 61Oct 31, 2022

    Ghost Song is a very enjoyable addition to the Metroidvania subgenre. It maybe lacks a little bit of originality to help it stand out from its contemporaries in a rather crowded market, but the game does provide a very enjoyable experience. With an atmosphere and story that are haunting and interesting to explore, there are plenty of reasons to delve into the dangerous world of Ghost Song.

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  • 91
    trust 60Nov 2, 2022

    The wait was worth it: Ghost Story is a compelling, challenging, and joyously fun game whose craftsmanship shows itself at every turn. The meta-story of this game is that, like a lost civilization, we’re collectively unearthing something ancient, something forgotten, a story that could’ve been lost as so many others were in the early days of crowdfunding indie games. Given its ubiquity across current platforms, there are many options for the seasoned gamer to try out Ghost Song. I look forward to the weeks and months ahead, wherein players will no doubt begin theorizing about the game’s story. Like many in its subgenre, I also think this game will be an optimal space for the speedrunning community to flex their skills. I look forward to it, and hope that this isn’t the last we see of Ghost Song and the Deadsuit.

    read full review ↗

…and 18 more tracked reviews.

Patch history