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Ghost Trick: Phantom Detective

Genres: Puzzle, Mystery, Point & Click, Story Rich, Adventure

Play modes: singleplayer

Release Date: 29-6-2023

Developer: CAPCOM Co., Ltd.

steam

Our verdict

9/10

  • Difficulty: Easy
  • Players: 1
  • Playtime: 12–15 h

Ghost Trick: Phantom Detective is Capcom's HD remaster of the 2010 DS puzzle adventure from Ace Attorney creator Shu Takumi. You play Sissel, a ghost who must solve his own death in a single night. You possess objects to change what happens, and you can rewind a victim's last four minutes to prevent their death. It suits solo players who like story-driven mysteries and Ace Attorney, more than those hunting for hard puzzles.

Players rate it among the best stories in games, with a twisting plot, a lovable cast that includes a fan-favourite dog called Missile, and very fluid animation. Reviewers describe the puzzles as approachable timing puzzles inside each loop, which makes it a good starter puzzle game. Several say it was worth the wait after missing it on DS.

The complaints are about pacing and friction. There can be long stretches of unvoiced dialogue between puzzles. Some puzzles only reveal the next step after you fail and run out the clock, and you can't rewind whenever you like. A few players also object to the Denuvo DRM. A playthrough takes twelve to fifteen hours. It is easy to recommend, especially to anyone who goes in blind.

Pros

  • Possess objects and rewind four minutes to save each victim
  • Twisting Shu Takumi story with a memorable cast and great music
  • Fluid, stylish animation in a clean HD remaster

Cons

  • Long unvoiced dialogue stretches between puzzle sections
  • Some puzzles need a failed loop before the next step appears

About

From the Steam store page · View on Steam
Solve your own murder in this quirky, puzzle-packed mystery classic, now in HD!

BANG! A single bullet rings out in the dark city. But as one life ends, the story is just getting started... Sissel wakes up as a ghost and realises he has lost his memory along with his life. “Who am I? Who killed me? And why?” With only a few hours until sunrise — and oblivion — to uncover these answers, Sissel must solve the mystery of his own murder, starting with the detective who may have witnessed the crime... Using the powers of the dead, you can possess and manipulate objects and even rewind time as you work to solve brainteasing puzzles in a story chock-full of quirky humour and charming characters.

This long-awaited HD remaster of Ghost Trick: Phantom Detective, the classic mystery puzzle game directed by Shu Takumi, creator of the Ace Attorney series, features upgraded visuals and sound. Enjoy new music arrangements by celebrated Great Ace Attorney composer Yasumasa Kitagawa which are fully synchronized with the original music so you can switch between them at any time during gameplay. There's also a new gallery of artwork and music. This is no trick: it’s the ultimate version of this puzzle-solving mystery adventure classic!
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