In a world where humanity has crammed itself into a tower taller than your dad's dreams of being a rock star, Ghostrunner lets you leap, slide, and stab your way through cyberpunk landscapes at breakneck speeds. One part parkour, one part ninja, and entirely too much fun, this game offers the thrill of a near-death experience every time you hit that respawn button. Here's how it plays out on the Nintendo Switch.
Playing as Jack (who's not exactly your friendly neighborhood Spider-Man), you must navigate a series of incredibly dangerous environments, dodging bullets like a modern dance move gone wrong. The action is in first-person, which means you'll feel every missed jump, every bad guy obliterated with the grace of a drunk toddler trying to walk on stilts. The game is relentless-a bit like your ex when they want to talk about feelings. Both you and your enemies can die in one hit, but thankfully, death is only a momentary inconvenience; just think of it as Jack's frequent existential crises. Move quickly, and I truly mean quickly; the game is built around speed. You'll be dashing, wall-running, and using something called Sensory Boost, which lets you slow down time and dodge those pesky bullets. Don't forget about the grid-based upgrade system, where your new abilities are obtained through adorable tetromino-like shapes. Just remember, strategy is key unless you want to see Jack's lifeless body in a million hilarious positions. Unlike most platformers, this isn't about leisurely strolls or sightseeing. Ghostrunner is a race against time-and your patience. Levels are beautifully designed, but they are more like complex puzzles taunting you about your inability to make split-second decisions. Every lapse in reflexes could lead to a comical, albeit frustrating, demise-and there are plenty. Trust me, you'll recount your failures to yourself repeatedly in slightly increasing degrees of anger. In short? If you love the idea of repeatedly smashing your head against a wall until it eventually breaks through, this is the game for you.
Expect a visual feast that's better than that questionable ramen you had last week. Ghostrunner runs on Unreal Engine 4, which lets it do the whole cyberpunk aesthetic justice. The environments are vibrant, atmospheric, and downright gorgeous-think Blade Runner meets a neon-lit rave. However, the Switch version does come with a few compromises; you know, just to remind you that reality isn't always perfection. While it might not look as crisp as its high-end cousins, it doesn't detract too much from the overall experience unless you packed your expectations in your carry-on luggage. Visuals remain stunning enough that you can almost overlook that your frame rate might occasionally be reminiscent of your grandma trying to run at the mall. Still, it captures the essence of a dystopian city where everyone is perpetually running from their problems.
Ghostrunner on Nintendo Switch is a wild ride for anyone looking to channel their inner ninja while simultaneously questioning their life choices. Despite its performance hiccups on the console, it packs a punch that keeps you engaged with fast-paced gameplay and a beautiful world to explore (even if it is mainly to die in). If you can tolerate the occasional frame drop and the frustration of your soul exiting your body multiple times, Ghostrunner could just be the high-speed thrill you've been craving. Just don't forget to blame the game. It's all its fault, after all. Score? Solidly 7.5 out of 10, because it's both exhilarating and maddening, much like adulthood.