A paranormal adventure that makes you feel like you’re part of a classic cartoon.
Take on the role of a paranormal investigator in an early access title that blends cartoon nostalgia and ghosts.
Created by Sylphe labs, InvestiGhost tasks you with looking into the eerie phenomena surrounding abandoned locations. Soon enough, your job description includes helping spirits cross over.
“InvestiGhost is a lighthearted VR adventure that’s about as far away from a full-on horror game as you can get. You play as a paranormal investigator whose job is to document supernatural activity in abandoned, haunted locations—and, more importantly, help the ghosts finally move on. So you’re basically a ghost hunter… except things tend to get a little weird along the way. It’s not really a horror game; instead, it takes its inspiration from the spooky cartoons of the late ’60s and early ’70s, blending eerie vibes with plenty of humor and a playful spirit,” said the Sylphe labs team.
While games like Ghostbusters: Rise of the Ghost Lord and Phasmophobia have been on the virtual reality (VR) market for some time to satiate the hunger for ghost hunting, InvestiGhost is different because your mission is not to capture.
Instead, your motivations are pure as you work only to help.
Throughout the game you’ll find numerous ghosts who don’t take too kindly to your presence. This means that you will have moments of action where you’ll have to defend yourself from an angry spirit.
Luckily, you’re equipped to with the latest in paranormal technology; the Wide Absorbent, Locator and Reaping Unit for Spectrals (W.A.L.R.U.S.) multitool.
With the W.A.L.R.U.S. in your hand, you have at your disposal a radar, camera, plasma gun, drainer, objectives, and more. All accessible to you at the push of a button.
You’ll also have a shield to help you in dicey situations. This is available to you in your offhand, but more on that in a bit.
Each mission you’ll undertake from the computer in your office. You’ll get a rundown of what to expect and your objectives will update on the W.A.L.R.U.S. as you make your way through each mission.
You’ll find clues, capture photos, drain spirits and more – all with the help of the W.A.L.R.U.S.
Of course, the tool does need fuel. Around each haunted space, you’ll come across ‘EctoEnergy’ this is what helps to power the W.A.L.R.U.S., and more importantly, the weapon components that are housed within.
Using the radar, you’ll be able to see spots around each locale where you can collect the energy for storage.
It’s best you find as much as you can, especially for some of the tougher fights throughout the game. Though in many instances throughout the game you’ll be attacked by a spirit, the result of which will damage your equipment. This will require you to use the energy for on-the-spot repairs.
It’s good to note that the radar will also show the presence of secrets, ghosts and other things of interest to you along the way.
Oh, and whatever energy you don’t use through each mission can be sold back at the computer in your office.
Once your mission is complete and you’re back in the office, you can turn in not only the energy, but the photos you take. The well composed, close-up shots that showcase true paranormal phenomena will net you the most money.
This can be used for in-office W.A.L.R.U.S. repairs, and upgrades.
With that out of the way let’s jump over to mechanics.
The game is simple with really only the thumbsticks being used for movement, the triggers for using the W.A.L.R.U.S., and face buttons depending on the situation. In this case, the ‘A’ and ‘X’ buttons are used to repair the tool when damaged – the button used will depend on the hand in which you’re holding the W.A.L.R.U.S. – and the ‘B’ or ‘Y’ buttons to use the flash – this helps spirts show themselves.
Switching between modes is as easy as tapping the buttons on the W.A.L.R.U.S. – though it does take a bit of time to transform into a different tool.
Because you’re always holding the W.A.L.R.U.S., there’s no need to hold down the grip buttons. These are really only used if you want to switch it to the other hand.
Before we move on, the shield mentioned earlier is activated by holding the trigger in the hand not holding the W.A.L.R.U.S. Block a ghost from tackling or shooting you – and damaging your equipment. But remember, this uses EctoEnergy.
One final thing to note about mechanics is that there appears to only be snap turning available. Hopefully the Sylphe labs team adds the option for smooth, but right now there doesn’t even seem to be the ability to bring up settings or a menu.
The menu button on the left controller doesn’t bring up any real menu.
Finally let’s talk about graphics before we call it a day.
Like it’s cartoon inspiration, the game is bright and colourful, dropping you into a world that makes you feel like you may be investigating with your talking dog and gaggle of friends.
Everything is clear and there’s no framerate issues, even in more intense situations. The overall esthetics of being in dark and creepy locations does work, however, sometimes it feels like things are a little too dark.
Without that options menu, there’s really no way to boost the brightness if you feel that the shadows are a bit too dark, but this may not be an opinion shared by all.
Overall, InvestiGhost is a fun experience that avoids the existential horror and focuses on exploration.
If you’ve played the other ghost-related games mentioned above, you’ll probably notice that InvestiGhost almost feels like the offspring of the two. But this child has managed to break away from its parents and become it’s own offering.
This game is certainly superior for paranormal investigation, based solely on the fact that the game is not a buggy mess that continues to become worse with each new update.
InvestiGhost is a labour of love from the creators at Sylphe labs, who took inspiration from what they loved to bring this title to life. It’s their hope then, that players feel the fund and excitement of the experience they created.
“We hope people will appreciate the fun, tongue-in-cheek approach we’ve taken with InvestiGhost—the same one inspired by the cartoons and TV shows we grew up with. (There are three of us on the team, and we’re basically three 50-year-old kids.) Most of all, we hope players have at least as much fun playing the game as we’re having making it.”
InvestiGhost, was reviewed on the Quest 3 after receiving an early access review key from the developer.
