Ghost Giant
A VR puzzle game about a giant helping a boy.
Ghost Giant is a virtual reality puzzle game from Zoink, which both developed and published it for PlayStation VR and Oculus Quest. In the game, players control the Ghost Giant, who helps a young boy named Louis by manipulating the environment—lifting objects, solving puzzles, and exploring the town of Sancourt. Players can interact with various non-playable characters and, using PlayStation Move controllers, rotate houses to see inside. The story was written with Swedish author Sara Bergmark Elfgren, focusing on friendship as the player becomes a supportive companion for Louis. Development took 18 months, with the team drawing inspiration from homemade toys like miniature cardboard towns. Reviews were generally positive on Metacritic. IGN’s Mike Epstein called the story charming but noted some puzzles were too simple. Destructoid’s Rich Meister described it as a VR advancement of classic point-and-click adventures, praising its look and sound design. UploadVR commended its sensitive handling of depression and neglect. Push Square’s Liam Croft ranked it among the best PSVR games, highlighting its memorable scenes and narrative. Adventure Gamers’ Pascal Tekaia gave it 4 out of 5 stars, calling it a charming world with satisfying gameplay and an emotional tale.
Quick Facts
- Title
- Ghost Giant
- Developer
- Zoink
- Platforms
- PlayStation 4 / Oculus Quest
- Genre
- Puzzle, adventure
- Released
- PlayStation VR / April 19, 2019 / Oculus Quest / February 20, 2020
- Director
- Olov Redmalm
- Writer
- Sara Bergmark Elfgren
- Modes
- Single-player
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
In the game, the player assumes control of the titular Ghost Giant, who is tasked to assist a young boy named Louis by manipulating the game's world, lifting items and solving puzzles. Players can also explore the world of Sancourt and interact with various non-playable characters living in the city. For instance, players can use the PlayStation Move controller to rotate houses and discover what can be found inside. The studio worked with Swedish writer Sara Bergmark Elfgren to create the story. The main theme is friendship, as the player needs to become a 'supporting friend' for Louis while helping him solve various problems and puzzles. The game took 18 months to develop, and the team drew inspirations from homemade toys, such as miniature cardboard towns, when creating the game.
Reader's Guide
Ghost Giant was noted by critics for its handling of themes such as depression and neglect, with UploadVR praising the developer's sensitive treatment of these subjects. Mike Epstein from IGN described the story as 'charming', though he felt some puzzles were too simple. Rich Meister of Destructoid stated that Ghost Giant 'feels like a VR advancement of a classic PC point-and-click adventure game, albeit one with a great look, phenomenal sound design', while also noting its short length. Liam Croft of Push Square wrote that the game 'belonged in the conversation for the very best PSVR game', citing its 'utterly phenomenal series of scenes' and narrative that 'demands immediate investment'. Pascal Tekaia of Adventure Gamers gave the game 4 stars out of 5, stating it 'doesn't revolutionize the virtual reality medium, but it throws players into a well-realized, charming world with simple yet satisfying gameplay and a surprisingly emotional tale.' The game's significance lies in its integration of VR mechanics with a story-driven puzzle format, and its generally positive reception highlighted its emotional impact and presentation.
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