When it comes to remakes, nothing hits like a long-forgotten niche title getting a second bite at the cherry. Both for long-time fans, who get a new shiny version of their much-loved game, and for newcomers, who will get to see just what made this game a cult classic in the first place. The latest game to be given this second lease of life is Capcom’s criminally overlooked Ghost Trick: Phantom Detective.
Read More: Tin Hearts review – Lemmings-Like Joy Box Puzzler
First released back in 2010 on the Nintendo DS, Ghost Trick: Phantom Detective quickly found a real cult fan base. However, nothing really came from that early promise due to poor sales.
Resurrection
Fast forward to 2023 and Ghost Trick: Phantom Detective been given the HD remaster treatment. It’s also now on all the consoles, giving it a fighting chance to make a bigger splash than its handheld origins.
Created by Shu Takumi – the man behind the Ace Attorney franchise, Ghost Trick: Phantom Detective is a supernatural mystery adventure that is full of character and charm in equal measure.
You play as Sissel who has been shot and is dead. But all hope is not lost as you’re now a ghost with special powers. You quickly find out about these powers, thanks to a buddy spirit called Ray.
Ray is a possessed lamp who shows you the spectral ropes. Soon enough you can possess and manipulate objects, as well as rewind time to shortly before someone is killed.
Buddy Cop
These newfound powers also let you change the outcome of events. Something you quickly avail of to save a young detective named Lynne, who was killed in the crossfire of your own murder.
This sets in motion the tale as you set out to hunt down who killed you along with why. And this journey opens up a whole can of worms with many threads to pull at.
For a game from Shu Takumi the writing is as you would hope. Top tier with an outstanding balance between the tone of the events unfolding and the overall character interactions.
And for a game where you’re dead, it has a surprising amount of light-hearted moments. Amusing happenings or sayings that hit just right and never out stay their welcome.
Playing Dead
Gameplay is an interesting mix of point ‘n click puzzling, and a visual novel for the most part. You have to overcome a number of timed challenges by using your ghostly powers to possess and manipulate objects.
These are often timed but it’s never as pressured as it may seem since time freezes while you work out what “Ghost Tricks” to use. Time does play an important role in the game, however. takes place over one night.
On the whole, puzzles are challenging more than frustrating. That said, it does take a bit of time to get your head around its unique take on the genre.
Dead Gorgeous
This HD remaster of Ghost Trick: Phantom Detective looks just lovely. It’s full of colour and character. The more detailed graphics really suck you in. And I feel this increased detail and inviting visual overhaul really helps add to the tale.
The overall interface has been reworked too. Ghost Trick: Phantom Detective works perfectly in this version despite being a screen shy of its native DS release. Plus, the soundtrack, which was a banger to begin with, has been remixed. And in some respects, the soundtrack for the new Ghost Trick: Phantom Detective is even better.
There are also a few extras like a music player and gallery where you can view unlocked goodies. Additionally, there are also a few bonus ghost puzzles, lifted from the iOS version.
Ghost Trick: Phantom Detective was something really special back in 2010. And some 13 years later, it’s just as unique, charming and engaging. It’s clear to see how and why so many hold the game and its cast in such high regard. If you are a returning fan you’ll have a blast with this updated vision, whereas newcomers are in of a true cult treat.