I’m not going to lie; Humble Games is on fire this month (well, actually, two months, but eh, technicality). First Signalis, now Ghost Song. Both are very different but solid games in their genre. However, Ghost Song was a bit more up my alley since I love Metroidvania games, I loved Metroid Dread, and well, Ghost Song is the Indie baby of Metroid Dread with the Indie genre. Are you intrigued yet? Let’s dive in!
Indie Metroid?
Have you ever wondered what would happen if Samus her suit got an AI upgrade and did all kinds of wonderous things on its own? No, just me? Well, you probably would get something like Ghost Song, in which you traverse the desolate moon of Lorian. A long-dormant Deadsuit awakens from slumber—armed and combat-ready, memory clear of purpose. But something new is stirring… In a battle against everything, you must search for answers beneath the surface.
Ghost Song is, by the way, much more than an indie Metroid game. It’s an atmospheric 2D adventure of self-discovery, ancient mysteries, and cosmic terror. Explore winding caverns lit only by bioluminescent flora, battle strange and powerful creatures, and acquire new abilities to help you unearth this alien world’s long-buried secrets.
Gameplay
So, the primary purpose of Ghost Song is to discover what lies below. It’s time to explore the twisting alien tunnels and long-abandoned labs of an expansive, beautifully illustrated Metroidvania-inspired 2D world filled with secret chambers and haunting history. As goes with Metroidvania games, you never progress the way you would expect. You often traverse from one point to another, only to make a bit of progress before you run into a big mutated spiked wall or an enemy that will kick your brains out (well, not literally, since you’re a Deadsuit, but you get the point).
Where things get interesting with Ghost Song is that you can build the suit however you want. In addition, Ghost Song offers you the option to acquire potent weapons and game-changing new abilities in the depths, unlocking access to new strata of the moon and optional hidden areas. Most Metroidvania games offer a specific standardized build-up in abilities and weapons; yes, even Castlevania and Metroid did so. But Ghos Song allows you to install specific abilities and cores to enhance your gameplay and focus on particular aspects. Do you want to melt stuff? Beat the optional boss and acquire his cannon. Do you want to heal yourself during battle? Install the core and be sure to save to replenish the healing ability. It keeps the gameplay fresh and challenging, and I loved this aspect of Ghost Song.
Another aspect of the game that changes up the usual formula is combating the fungal aliens and metal husks of Lorian with responsiveness and precision; you get to level up your ‘suit.’ Do you want more charges for your abilities? Be my guest. More power in your blaster; the choice is yours—time to blast and smash. Master the distinctive rhythm of Deadsuit’s core combat. Pummel enemies with your rapid-fire blaster, building up barrel heat that empowers your melee attacks—another great use of an often-used gimmick in shooters. Overheated barrels no longer leave you funeral to attacks; move in close, beat the crap out of the alien, and dash back to ensure you’re not hit.
Artwork
If I did not convince you to play Ghost Song already, you should at least try it out for its artwork. I love games that take a different approach to the art style. Salt & Sanctuary has its weird cartoonish style; many indies use the pixilated style. Ghost Song is a bit of Metroid Dread with a dystopian indie vibe painted all over it. I can’t put my finger on it, but the different areas are significant and give off a unique vibe, including the enemies you meet. Combine this with tough-as-nails gameplay, and you got yourself one great game to lose a lot of hours in.
Conclusion
Ghost Song is going up in my top 3 indie games of the year. I play many indie games since that’s my sweet spot most of the time, but Ghost Song is one I must finish. It left an unbearable itch on my game soul, which means I must find time to progress deeper into the moon while finishing the other games I need to review. Ghost Song might be right up your alley for those who like Metroidvania games but want something ‘different’ to play for once or just want something to close the gap until the new Hollow Knight content is released. It sure was up mine. Oh, and it runs great on the Steam Deck.
8.5/10
Tested on the Steam Deck (Steam).
