Ghost Squad (Wii)
- Publisher:
- Sega Entertainment
- Developer:
- Sega-AM2
- Release Date:
- 27.11.2007
- Number of players:
- 1 - 4
- Type:
- Action
- Reality Factor:
- Realistic
- Perspective:
- First-Person
- Extra:
- Tactical
- Age:
- Modern Times
We play Ghost Squad...
There's a certain undiluted pleasure to be found in lightgun games that simply cannot be replicated elsewhere. It stems from a combination of fast-paced adrenalin-pumping action, and the sheer physicality of holding a replica weapon between clammy fingers, squeezing the trigger as if someone's life actually depended on it. Alright, so some of the attempts at translating this sensation to the home have been woefully poor, but the Wii hardware would seem a logical starting point for a resurgence of interest in an otherwise moribund genre. After all, if a device that incorporates a light sensor and aiming remote as a base control mechanic can't do it justice, then what can?
It's fitting then that Sega should be among the first developers to create a lightgun game for the system (Resident Evil: The Umbrella Chronicles and Link's Crossbow Training being the others of note). After all, pevious titles such as the Virtua Cop series, House of the Dead, and Confidential Mission, have established Sega's arcade department as somewhat of an authority on lightgun games; with a raft of successful home conversions and custom hardware following throughout the years.
Ghost Squad fits very much into this lineage, offering up perhaps the most refined version of a Sega-style shooter yet seen. The 2004 arcade version was nothing short of a success on release, and allowing the player to calibrate gun sights before beginning the campaign ensured that no-one could ever come out with the staple “my gun isn't working!” excuse that normally echoes around shopping precincts and bowling alleys across the country. Sometimes the little innovations to a fairly regimented formula count for the most.
In terms of gameplay, the Wii version is a title that replicates the Virtua Cop series in all but name, right down to the ability to shoot enemies multiple times in the second or two after the kill, and the sound effect that each pirouetting enemy utters as they take the initial bullet. There are a few semi-innovations here, with the ability to rescue hostages or disarm bombs with the 'A' button, and sniping or rocket launcher diversions scarcely distributed amongst each stage, but on the whole Ghost Squad very much conforms to the shooter template that Sega set in stone many moons ago. That's no bad thing, in case you wondered, as this is one genre in which unnecessary complications are absolutely off limits.
For the shooter junkies worried about the abilities of the sensor bar in this respect, I have to admit to being pleasantly surprised by the Wii's capabilities to mimic a real light gun, and whilst accuracy levels are somewhat diminished, with a little bit of experience this soon becomes a non-factor. The game is also perfectly playable without the use of the Zapper or any other such peripheral. In fact, some regular players apparently consider the au naturel approach to aiming the wiimote to be a superior solution; good news then, for those that don't want to spend an extra £20 on a bit of Nintendo-branded plastic.
As a title originally developed for xbox-level arcade hardware, Ghost Squad is also an easy graphical fit for the underpowered Wii. It doesn't look great in comparison to the likes of Umbrella Chronicles and Mario Galaxy, but the chunky and functional visual representations of the special forces environments work well, and it comes across as an AM2 developed title through and through. That is to say, everything has a certain visual charm that's uniquely Sega, and almost universally appealing in representation.
As with any lightgun game however, the question of value for money inevitably rears it's head at some stage. The core mission mode of the Wii version (with support for up to four players) stems the same three campaigns available in the arcade, along with a few extra routes and levels to progress through. Each stage will take roughly around 10-15 minutes to complete, providing a satisfying level of challenge that can be tailored to match your own abilities. Whilst three stages may not seem like much, replaying each level at varying difficulties opens up new routes and progressions, along with equipment and outfits. The urge to take just one more run through a new section of a level is the major draw here, and bearing high-scores and accuracy ratings is as addictive as ever.
Not quite content with pumping out a 30 minute experience for the full price tag however, Sega has also seen fit to include a bunch of extra mini-games, along with the now-obligatory Wii 'Party Mode' for multi-player action. Most of the challenges are simple target-based objectives, but combined with a bunch of friends and the online rankings, these can become a fun diversion for groups of people to rally around, without ever threatening to dethrone Warioware, Mario Party or any of the other billion mini-game compilations for the Wii..
That really is all that you get for your money however, and as a full release it seems to be severely lacking in content, no matter how much the wave of nostalgia partially makes up for that fact. But then, pretty much every lightgun title ever released has fallen into the same trap, and as a game that's meant to be broken out every few months for an hour or two of play, Ghost Squad fits the bill very nicely indeed. It's a fine example of the genre, fits the chosen hardware fantastically well, and even if only as a stop-gap until the House of the Dead series re-release, it may well be worth picking up for any hardcore shooter fan.
Top game moment: Beating a high score on any one of the addictive mini-games.
It's fitting then that Sega should be among the first developers to create a lightgun game for the system (Resident Evil: The Umbrella Chronicles and Link's Crossbow Training being the others of note). After all, pevious titles such as the Virtua Cop series, House of the Dead, and Confidential Mission, have established Sega's arcade department as somewhat of an authority on lightgun games; with a raft of successful home conversions and custom hardware following throughout the years.
 |
 |
|
| Up close and personal, as you would expect | Enemies slide in and duck around cover constantly |
Ghost Squad fits very much into this lineage, offering up perhaps the most refined version of a Sega-style shooter yet seen. The 2004 arcade version was nothing short of a success on release, and allowing the player to calibrate gun sights before beginning the campaign ensured that no-one could ever come out with the staple “my gun isn't working!” excuse that normally echoes around shopping precincts and bowling alleys across the country. Sometimes the little innovations to a fairly regimented formula count for the most.
In terms of gameplay, the Wii version is a title that replicates the Virtua Cop series in all but name, right down to the ability to shoot enemies multiple times in the second or two after the kill, and the sound effect that each pirouetting enemy utters as they take the initial bullet. There are a few semi-innovations here, with the ability to rescue hostages or disarm bombs with the 'A' button, and sniping or rocket launcher diversions scarcely distributed amongst each stage, but on the whole Ghost Squad very much conforms to the shooter template that Sega set in stone many moons ago. That's no bad thing, in case you wondered, as this is one genre in which unnecessary complications are absolutely off limits.
For the shooter junkies worried about the abilities of the sensor bar in this respect, I have to admit to being pleasantly surprised by the Wii's capabilities to mimic a real light gun, and whilst accuracy levels are somewhat diminished, with a little bit of experience this soon becomes a non-factor. The game is also perfectly playable without the use of the Zapper or any other such peripheral. In fact, some regular players apparently consider the au naturel approach to aiming the wiimote to be a superior solution; good news then, for those that don't want to spend an extra £20 on a bit of Nintendo-branded plastic.
 |
 |
|
| Sniping sequences are few and far between | Various shots will be acclaimed throughout any playthough |
As a title originally developed for xbox-level arcade hardware, Ghost Squad is also an easy graphical fit for the underpowered Wii. It doesn't look great in comparison to the likes of Umbrella Chronicles and Mario Galaxy, but the chunky and functional visual representations of the special forces environments work well, and it comes across as an AM2 developed title through and through. That is to say, everything has a certain visual charm that's uniquely Sega, and almost universally appealing in representation.
As with any lightgun game however, the question of value for money inevitably rears it's head at some stage. The core mission mode of the Wii version (with support for up to four players) stems the same three campaigns available in the arcade, along with a few extra routes and levels to progress through. Each stage will take roughly around 10-15 minutes to complete, providing a satisfying level of challenge that can be tailored to match your own abilities. Whilst three stages may not seem like much, replaying each level at varying difficulties opens up new routes and progressions, along with equipment and outfits. The urge to take just one more run through a new section of a level is the major draw here, and bearing high-scores and accuracy ratings is as addictive as ever.
Not quite content with pumping out a 30 minute experience for the full price tag however, Sega has also seen fit to include a bunch of extra mini-games, along with the now-obligatory Wii 'Party Mode' for multi-player action. Most of the challenges are simple target-based objectives, but combined with a bunch of friends and the online rankings, these can become a fun diversion for groups of people to rally around, without ever threatening to dethrone Warioware, Mario Party or any of the other billion mini-game compilations for the Wii..
 |
 |
|
| Aiming with the wiimote is surprisingly well implemented | To the point! |
That really is all that you get for your money however, and as a full release it seems to be severely lacking in content, no matter how much the wave of nostalgia partially makes up for that fact. But then, pretty much every lightgun title ever released has fallen into the same trap, and as a game that's meant to be broken out every few months for an hour or two of play, Ghost Squad fits the bill very nicely indeed. It's a fine example of the genre, fits the chosen hardware fantastically well, and even if only as a stop-gap until the House of the Dead series re-release, it may well be worth picking up for any hardcore shooter fan.
Top game moment: Beating a high score on any one of the addictive mini-games.
