Ghost Song (video game)

Lore & Background

Development of Ghost Song began in 2013, with early funding from a Kickstarter crowdfunding campaign. A Wii U port was considered, despite incompatibilities between OpenFL and the console. The developer noted Super Metroid and Dark Souls as influences. Over the course of development, the game was built on three different fundamental platforms: it started as a Flash game, was then ported to the Stencyl engine, and finally ported to Unity for the release version. The game was released on November 3, 2022, and was made available on Xbox Game Pass on launch day.

Reader's Guide

Ghost Song is notable as a crowdfunded Metroidvania that underwent a lengthy development cycle spanning nearly a decade, shifting through three different game engines before its final release. Its gameplay features a unique system where using ranged attacks increases the strength of melee attacks. Critical reception was generally favorable according to Metacritic, with OpenCritic reporting a 69% recommendation rate. A Rock Paper Shotgun review was overall positive but noted issues with leading the player. A PC Gamer review was more critical, pointing out that the death system was flawed and could create a 'Catch 22' situation, while acknowledging that the fundamental systems were sound yet overall repetitive. The game's legacy lies in its successful Kickstarter campaign, its availability on Xbox Game Pass at launch, and its status as a modern Metroidvania influenced by both Super Metroid and Dark Souls.

Did You Know?

• Development began in 2013 with funding from a Kickstarter campaign.
• The game was developed on three different platforms: Flash, Stencyl, and finally Unity.
• A Wii U port was considered but faced incompatibilities between OpenFL and the console.
• The game was available on Xbox Game Pass on its release day.