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Ghosts ‘n Goblins Resurrection is available now for PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Steam, and Nintendo Switch!

Jun 01, 2021 // Kellen Haney

Ghosts ‘n Goblins Resurrection is available now on PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Steam, and Nintendo Switch! The valiant knight Arthur returns in this new addition to the Ghosts ‘n Goblins franchise, a legendary series of games known for challenging and rewarding gameplay. Ghosts ‘n Goblins Resurrection comes complete with multiple difficulty modes for knights of all skill levels to enjoy, and a two-player local Co-Op mode for seasoned veterans and newly christened knights to play the game together.

Over 35 years ago, the original Ghosts ‘n Goblins made its debut in arcades, and few players knew what would await them when they dropped that first quarter or token into the machine. The game’s haunting music box melodies, vivid graphics, expressive animations, and incredibly challenging gameplay quickly cemented it in the minds of many as an instant classic. Anyone skilled enough to beat the game at their local arcade was worthy of praise, a living legend in their own right who could best the many fearsome foes, tricky traps, and devious deceptions that stood between them and their goal. Defeating the game once, however, revealed a shocking surprise: A message reading “This room is an illusion and is a trap devised by Satan. Go ahead dauntlessly! Make rapid progress!” To see the game’s true ending, you’d need to play through an even more difficult version of the game, typically called a second loop, to finally rescue the princess from the malevolent Demon Realm and claim your victory.

Staying true to those arcade roots while building on the series’ legacy, Ghosts ‘n Goblins Resurrection takes a page (or, perhaps, a scroll) from both the original Ghosts ‘n Goblins and its sequel, Ghouls ‘n Ghosts. Seasoned knights will feel right at home among the dark forests and burning hamlets. Familiar weapons, like the Lance and Dagger, are joined by new armaments, including the Spiked Ball and Hammer, providing noble knights even more ways to fight their way through hordes of enemies on their quest to save the princess. With the whole game presented in a visual style reminiscent of paper puppets on a picture-book background, Resurrection provides a perfect mix of challenging old-school gameplay and unique modern visuals.

While Ghosts ‘n Goblins games are well-known for their challenging gameplay, multiple difficulty modes are available for players of all skill levels to enjoy Arthur’s adventure. Squire difficulty mode is the perfect choice for newcomers to Ghosts ‘n Goblins games, offering a more gentle experience that’s still plenty of fun. Instead of losing all his armor at once as he does in older games, Arthur can take three hits before losing his armor completely. If he takes one more hit with no armor, he’s down for the count! Fortunately, special checkpoints called Banners of Rebirth are also available in this mode, and each one provides an additional, optional points to restart from. The number of enemies are also reduced from higher difficulties, so you’ll have a bit more breathing room to discover each stage’s twists and turns as you venture into the Demon Realm.

Knight modeoffers an increased level of challenge for players who aren’t afraid to taste defeat as they reach for glory. The number of hits Arthur can take before losing his armor is reduced to two, and the number of enemies is increased to the standard amount, too. Optional Banners of Rebirth remain in this mode, allowing you to restart in between checkpoints if you so choose.

If you’re looking for the greatest challenge Resurrection has to offer, crank up the heat to Legend difficulty! On this difficulty mode, Arthur can only take one hit before he’s down to his boxers. One more after that, and he’s reduced to a pile of bones, same as in other classic Ghosts ‘n Goblins games. Banners of Rebirth are also removed on this difficulty, leaving only regular checkpoints in each level. You’ll need every ounce of your skill – and maybe a little luck – to see each stage through to the end. Hardcore GnG fans take heart – THIS is the Ghosts ‘n Goblins you remember!

For players looking for a casual experience, and those looking to introduce newly christened knights to what Ghosts ‘n Goblins Resurrection has to offer, an additional Page mode gives Arthur a blessing of eternal life. If he falls in battle, he’ll be resurrected on the spot, able to jump back into his quest right where he left off. This is a great option for little knights who want to enjoy the game!

No matter what difficulty mode you choose, Arthur is anything but defenseless. Alongside an assortment of weapons and his trusty armor, Arthur will also have access to a variety of skills and magic that can turn the tables on his foes. As you explore each stage, you’ll come across what first appear to be little balls of rainbow light bouncing around. These are Umbral Bees, friendly little critters that you can collect and return to their home in the Umbral Tree. The Umbral Tree, as its name might suggest, is literally a skill tree. Returning Umbral Bees unlocks new and more powerful skills and magic that can be assigned to Arthur’s Magic Waistband.

Surrounded by Zombies? Cast Thunderstorm to call down lightning! Need to bowl over some Skeleton Murderers? Emboulden turns Arthur into an impervious rolling rock. There’s lots of magic to uncover, including turning enemies to stone, creating a doppelganger that copies your attacks, and a secret spell that’s sure to delight long-time fans. A variety of skills are also available, including the ability to increase the number of weapons that Arthur can hold at one time! Be sure to collect those Umbral Bees when you see them, as they’ll certainly be a huge help on your journey.

Offering a different gameplay experience from Arthur’s solo adventures, couch Co-Op is available for two players to enjoy the game together. Barry, Kerry, and Archie, the Three Wise Guys, can assist Arthur by creating a temporary barrier, carrying Arthur out of danger, or creating temporary bridges and platforms for Arthur to cross. It’s a great option for seasoned veterans and little knights to play together, and for family and friends who want to try a new, different way to play Ghosts ‘n Goblins.

If you want to see everything that the game has to offer, you’ll need to complete the game once on Squire, Knight, or Legend to unlock sinister new remixes of places you’ve been before. Calling back to the series’ tradition of playing through the game multiple times, Ghosts ‘n Goblins Resurrection introduces a new spin on that concept: Shadow Stages. Each stage you’ve previously completed has a remixed, shadowy version with different enemies, gimmicks, and hazards that create a new experience. No matter how familiar you are with the original stages, you’ll need to adjust your game plan if you hope to conquer each Shadow Stage – and completing each regular stage and Shadow Stage might open up a new path, too. Why not give it a try?

There’s lots more to discover on your own, too. Hidden treasure chests dot each stage, mysterious pits called Hell Holes filled with enemies and rewards can appear if the right conditions are met, and there are other secrets that await those who are up for the challenge. We hope you’re ready to challenge again… and again… and again… on Arthur’s latest adventure!

Ghosts ‘n Goblins Resurrection is available now for PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Steam, and Nintendo Switch!