Originally posted: 07/10/2007 I decided to start my blog here with a review I posted on Metacritic about two years ago, and on 1UP about a year ago.

~Dain


Jeremy Parish's review was on point in many ways, but I found his conclusion a bit reactionary and acerbic.

Ultimate Ghosts'N Goblins is not a step backwards, but it is also not the sequel that could have been made. Over a decade later and Capcom continues right where it left off. Ironically, this was not what was expected. This presents a troubling dichotomy within this game, that of nostalgia versus innovation.

Capcom could have taken many of the game mechanics that have made them famous since 1992, but has puzzingly decided to exclude them: concepts such as a combo system, multiple characters, extravangantly showy magic effects, and baroque bosses that take up a whole stage rather than a whole screen, as well as multiple tiers of levels and skill/technique-based rewards. Capcom has the technology these days to implement the sprite-heavy, manic gameplay of the late 90's-early 00's, seen in their Versus games. Instead, we get more environmental effects (which are admittedly good) and a ponderously fragmented magic/armor/weapon system that is needlessly clunky. What belongs in a proper sequel to Ghouls'N Ghosts is the arcade sensibility and not the collection adventure sensibility.

Moments of wonder, however, do slowly invade this troubled sequel in the form of exciting expansions to Arthur's repetoire, to remind us of the fact that the originator was at the helm of this project. In short, quite good but much more worthy of being made great.

Of course, there are some ways I have imagined how it could be great...

As of this writing, maybe Fujiwara and Capcom have devised a second chance.