Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex (PS2)

For the 2005 PSP game, see Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex (PSP).

Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex (攻殻機動隊 STAND ALONE COMPLEX, Kōkaku Kidōtai Sutando Arōn Konpurekkusu) is an action game based on the cyberpunk anime of the same name, it is a third-person shooter, released for the PlayStation 2.

Gameplay

The game's playable characters include Motoko Kusanagi and Batou. Levels are separated along the two parallel parts of the Section 9 investigation that forms the basis of the storyline, with some sections following Batou's experiences and others recounting Kusanagi's solo journey to the region where the plot appears to originate from. Gameplay uses a third-person perspective, and players use a variety of weapons, including the ability to ghost-hack opponents, in order to progress. Kusanagi's levels tend to require the player to use her agility to progress to a much greater degree than Batou's levels, which tend to feature a focus on more heavy firepower. Media response was generally positive, but reserved, citing the high quality graphics and enjoyable, action-packed gameplay but noting the slightly awkward controls, lack of any real innovation and the failure to use the license to its full potential, for example not using hacking as a more advanced, useful or integral gameplay feature.

Plot

The games take place in the year 2030, between the stories told in Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex and Ghost in the Shell: S.A.C. 2nd GIG. In the year 2030, cybercrime, espionage and terrorism plague a society lost between humanity and technology. As one of the trusted members of the government organization known as Section 9, Major Motoko Kusanagi must uncover the truth behind a mysterious case known only as T.A.R.

Reception

Ed Lewis of IGN gave the game a score of 7.0 out of 10. It sold 45,528 copies a week after its release.

External links

• IGN's page
• Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex Music Archive Sound Files at MusicBrainz (list of releases)
• Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex at IMDb