Star Ghost

Star Ghost is an assured eShop debut for Squarehead Studios, and shows that quality breeds quality; the combination of a former Rare and Retro staffer with one of the most iconic video game musicians of all time has resulted in a game which initially seems quite simplistic, but has a surprising level of depth, replayability and charm. While it's true that the core gameplay doesn't possess all that much variety, the stern challenge calls for a level of concentration that is rarely asked for with modern games; merely surviving is tricky enough, but when you add in the allure of improving your score, it's easy to become hopelessly engrossed. Having said that, if the notion of tirelessly striving to improve your own personal best doesn't appeal then you might find your interest in Star Ghost is fleeting - especially as bragging rights are hard to enforce with this title, as an online leaderboard isn't included at launch.Still, this is a minor point in the grand scheme of things, and fans of old-school shooters will lap up the nostalgia - both from the gameplay and the presentation - while those players who weren't around during the 'golden era' should surely appreciate the unique control mechanics which reward perseverance and skill.

For the low cost of £7.99, this is a decent little addition to any Nintendo Switch owner's indie library, and perfect for a quick bash here and there. It captures the same simplistic addictiveness as Flappy Bird, but has the same flaws. It's repetitive and gets boring very quickly, so it's a real shame this new Nintendo Switch version of Star Ghost couldn't offer up new features.

It's an indie treat that will not only please fans of old-school video games, but also those who want a rewarding challenge.

Overall a genuinely fun nature pervades through this game. The bright colors and fast-paced play combined with an upbeat soundtrack by David Wise keep it moving. The concept might be one-note, but enough variety is present in the levels for consistently fresh gameplay with an old school arcade feel perfect for handheld play on the Switch.

Though gameplay mechanics borrow from trendy, classic games from the past, it wasn't enough to keep me intrigued.

Star Ghost is a simple but effective game. Easy to grasp but tough to master, the fast-paced shooting action is perfect for quick return visits on the go or between bigger games. What it lacks in content it makes up for with addictive and fun gameplay.

This new and welcome addition to the Nintendo Switch catalogue is simple yet demanding, with plenty of details to appreciate, such as its signature soundtrack and will be very much well received by shoot'em up fans.

Star Ghost is a fine game, the variety of level content is solid though that's all there is to the game.

As a whole I both enjoy Star Ghost and am a big aggravated by it. I love that it set out to do something different, and it has very much accomplished that goal. I like that whether it meant to or not it has some very roguelike elements in its DNA that make it noteworthy and challenging. That said, there are a few elements that may have benefitted from moving the needle a little further back in terms of difficulty to make it more likely accessible to a wider audience. It’s an acquired taste as it stands, and for people seeking out a non-traditional challenge it is a solid value as well.

This game was released first on the Wii U in March of 2016 and it was well received then and while it's not an old game I doubt many people would have played it and that's a shame because it deserves your time and attention. Here is a second chance for Star Ghost and me for one am really glad I have this one in my collection. It's deadly simple but has an addictive quality that just kept me coming back for one more go. A great way to have a blast cleansing the galaxy of the Metagon empire! Commander, it's over to you!