Ghostbusters: Spirits Unleashed is an upcoming “asymmetrical multiplayer” game, which means that you’ll either play one of four new Ghostbusters (alongside three friends), or one ghost fighting the paranormal eliminators.
The trailer for the game was launched a few months ago, and promises a new experience within the world of Ghostbusters video games. Not only that, but it seemingly acts as a sequel of sorts to Ghostbusters: Afterlife (2021).
Like the two original movies, Ghostbusters (1984) and Ghostbusters II (1989), the game takes place in Manhattan, New York, as opposed to the sleepy (and spooky) backwater town of Summerville, Oklahoma.
However, you’ll probably remember that Ghostbusters: Afterlife ends with the original Ghostbusters driving the rusty Ecto-1 across Brooklyn Bridge and back to its home in Tribeca. A post-credits scene also expands upon this.
Winston Zeddemore (Ernie Hudson) suggests to Janine Melnitz (Annie Potts) that he intends to re-establish the Ghostbusters franchise, and the scene ends with him opening the doors to the old firehouse.
But how we do know that Ghostbusters: Spirits Unleashed will follow on from the 2021 sequel? Well, because Ernie Hudson and Dan Aykroyd will be reprising their roles as Winston Zeddemore and Ray Stantz in the game!
Check out the official trailer for Ghostbusters: Spirits Unleashed below:
As you can see, both Ghostbusters are exactly where we last saw them in the latest sequel - Winston in the firehouse and Ray in his Ray’s Occult Books store. However, the four playable Ghostbusters are entirely new characters.
And this is where things will be interesting, as you’ll have to capture a player-controlled ghost. The game will reportedly feature several maps, with locations old and new. But when is Ghostbusters: Spirits Unleashed out?
Well, Charles Brungardt, CEO of IllFonic recently confirmed the release date for the game. He said:
“The reaction from fans of Ghostbusters has blown us away. Putting a date on and opening up pre-orders for Ghostbusters: Spirits Unleashed feels like an out of body experience, and we cannot wait for everyone to feel the same sensation on Tuesday, October 18.”
Ghostbusters: Spirits Unleashed isn’t the first time Ghostbusters actors have appeared in a canonical video game - that honor goes to Ghostbusters: The Video Game (2009), which acts as a sequel to the first two movies.
The game saw the return of Harold Ramis (Egon Spengler), Dan Aykroyd (Ray Stantz), Bill Murray (Peter Spengler), Ernie Hudson (Winston Zeddemore), and Annie Potts (Janine Melnitz).
Ghostbusters: The Video Game is definitely worth buying, and Logan Kim, who plays Podcast in Ghostbusters: Afterlife, wants Ghostbusters 4 to take inspiration from the beloved video game.
That’s not all for the Ghostbusters franchise, as there’s a bunch of new projects in the works, from video games to VR, animated shows to animated movies, and comic books to live-action sequels.
Ghostbusters 4 will be released on December 20, 2023, and Ghostbusters: VR is also heading to all major consoles, while a Dark Horse comic book that will follow Ghostbusters: Afterlife is due out next year.
Meanwhile, a Ghostbusters animated movie is also in the works, as well as an untitled Ghostbusters animated series. Needless to say, it’s a great time to be a Ghostbusters fan. Who ya gonna call? No need to call anyone!
So, Ghostbusters: Spirits Unleashed will be released on October 18 this year. And you can now pre-order the game for the following platforms - PlayStation 4 and 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, and PC.
It has also been confirmed that pre-ordering the game will give players advance access to Slimer, a custom Particle Thrower and Proton Pack, and special clothing colorways.
Illfonic has teased that more information on the game will be unveiled at next week’s Gamescom event.
