Released in 2003, Ghost Master is a life simulation as well as a real-time strategy (RTS) game. Put another way, when you combine The Sims with Command & Conquer, then add a spooky twist – you have Ghost Master!
This game is my definition of a hidden gem. While it may not have been a commercial success at the time of release, there’s no doubt that this is one of the most inventive PC games I’ve ever played. It’s also incredibly fun.
Your job is to drive a bunch of repugnant mortals out of your house. As they’re doing their daily activities – eating, sleeping, pooping – you bind your different ghosts to different areas of your house. When those mortals get close to a ghost, you use a wide array of powers to strike terror in them.
The controls take some time to get used to, but there’s a tutorial and it’s quite fun. You start off with a limited amount of points, which also limits your abilities. But as you scare more mortals, you increase your points, which also increases the amount of power yours ghosts are capable of dishing out.
There’s a wide variety of ghosts. There’s some that are bound to electrical appliances, others bound to plants, even some that are bound to toilets. And as you go about haunting your mortals, certain benign ghosts come under your control, and you can start wreaking major havoc.
I had an absolute blast playing Ghost Master, and I wish more games were made like it. There’s a puzzle element to this game as you figure out how each ghost interacts with their environments. Once you figure it all out, the mayhem is a joy.
In terms of graphics, they were spectacular for 2003. It’s nice to zoom through different floors, get a close-up of each mortal and their activities, and view the houses from different perspectives. I love this early 2000s aesthetic in video games – there’s a lot of charm in it.
The sound design is a wonderful. Hearing the ghosts do their haunting is entertaining as hell. And the soundtrack reminds me of something out of a Tim Burton film.
To run this game, you need a Pentium III 450Mhz CPU, 128MB of RAM, 16MB of VRAM, and 750MB of space. Ghost Master runs like a charm on my Windows 10 PC, so it’s will probably run well on most modern PCs as well. While this game runs natively on Windows and Mac, it also runs on Linux via Proton – although it somewhat struggles with cutscenes. For this reason, it’s not supported for Steam Deck, though I did get it working.
Ghost Master is a PC exclusive. It has never been released for mobile or console platforms.
This game has no micro-transactions nor DLC.
Sick Puppies Studio made Ghost Master. While they previously made Pipe Dreams 3D, Ghost Master was the last game they made. Because this was not a commercial success, Sick Puppies closed their doors after Ghost Master was considered a flop.
On Steam, Ghost Master has an 89% positive rating. Meanwhile, verified owners on GOG.com give it a 3.9/5. Most people love the concept and feel that this is one of the most unique simulation and strategy games ever made. However, other folks express feel this is too “puzzly” for the their liking.
I think the puzzle aspect of the game is worth embracing, and gives this a substantially different flavour from your basic RTS. What makes Ghost Master so unique is the discovery. It keeps me coming back.
On Steam, Ghost Master sells for C$5.49. While on GOG.com, Ghost Master sells for C$8.19, though it has a current -84% discount, thus on sale for C$1.29. The GOG.com version is the better deal since you get the soundtrack, artworks, avatars, a screensaver, and HD wallpapers.
Without question, I recommend Ghost Master. Even when it’s not on sale, it’s inexpensive. It also delivers you hours upon hours of thrills. And who doesn’t love those early 2000s polygonal graphics with the spooky music?
But more than that, there has never been another game like Ghost Master. It is completely unique. A sequel was never made, and one is not currently planned. I guarantee that you will never experience anything like Ghost Master.
