That's pretty much as close as it gets
Ghostbusters is the first time someone has been able to nail down the experience everyone envisions a Ghostbusters game being. Bustin' ghosts, saving the city, and trying that pole. The authenticity of the experience is far and away better than nearly every other big name movie game on the market. Quite honestly, when you strip away the smoke and mirrors Ghostbusters is, for the most part, your average third person shooter. However, the atmosphere, pacing, and subtle yet ingenious touches to detail create an experience that feels akin to a theme park ride.
In reality, you are just aiming a cross-hair and firing. In writing that may sound bland, but the way Ghostbusters handles it's gameplay is almost mystifying. You don't feel like you are playing a shooter because the Proton Pack and it's various add-ons feel different. Seeing your character struggling to barely maintain control of the unlicensed nuclear accelerator on his back while trying to wrangle in a particularly wryly ghost draws you into the experience like few other games can. It is really a shame that Ghostbusters didn't receive a demo, as I feel it is almost impossible to sell this game through text and video alone.
The campaign itself is relatively short, though it does end right around the time you start getting tired of some of the mechanics. Had the game not played as well as it does, I don't think even Ghostbusters fans would be willing to shell out the sixty dollars that the game is asking. The multiplayer takes advantage of all the single-player does right however, and is real gem that this game brings.
The story is great, but watching the other Ghostbusters make their way through a third wacky installment would not have satisfied most people. You don't want to be some rookie, at least not after the credits roll; you want to be the Ghostbusters. The multiplayer brings that experience home, and it does it in spades. Nothing quite compares to teaming up with three friends to cooperatively catch ghosts and survive the paranormal. Although the game has only one real competitive mode, it really shines in co-op and it puts into perspective how much of a tragedy it is that the story doesn't have multiplayer. In place of it you have a Survival mode similar to the Horde mode in Gears of War 2, a capture the flag game in which you protect artifacts from thieves that can phase through walls, and Containment where you try to catch as many ghosts as you can within a time limit as well as a few others. You can tackle each of these individually or play through a Campaign of them spanning several modes in the same level, though in different areas. It contains a minor leveling component much like Call of Duty's, and there is a Most Wanted list of rare ghosts. All the factors combine to create a multiplayer platter that helps to solidify what would otherwise be a steep price tag.
Now, I could go into the negatives. Sometimes the pacing breaks down, the AI is a little to prone to standing in front of kamikaze gargoyles, and the lip syncing is off at times. I really don't know what that brings to the argument though. Ghostbusters isn't perfect or completely original. It is not going to rock the industry, and it certainly isn't going to change the face of gaming. However, it is a fantastic experience that rises above it's short comings to deliver an experience that no other game can provide.
Being a fucking Ghostbuster.
And if that isn't enough to at least inspire a rental, than this game isn't for you.
