Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex (2004 video game)

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.

For the PlayStation Portable game, see Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex (2005 video game).
Ghost in the Shell:
Stand Alone Complex
PAL cover art
Developer(s)Cavia
Publisher(s)
Director(s)Yōichi Take
Yuji Shimomura
Producer(s)Takuya Iwasaki
Takayasu Yanagihara
Designer(s)Tadayuki Hoshino
Naoshige Kamamoto
Programmer(s)Masashi Kobayashi
Shinya Abe
Katsumi Murata
Artist(s)Makoto Shimomura
Masayuki Suzuki
Shinobu Tsuneki
Writer(s)Dai Satō
Yoshiki Sakurai
Midori Goto
Composer(s)Nobuyoshi Sano
SeriesGhost in the Shell
Platform(s)PlayStation 2
Release
  • JP: March 4, 2004
  • NA: November 8, 2004
  • PAL: May 6, 2005
Genre(s)Shooter
Mode(s)Single-player multiplayer

Gameplay

The game's playable characters include Motoko Kusanagi and Batou. Levels are separated along with 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.

Development and release

The game was developed by Cavia. A total of 50 developers worked on the game. The game's story was written in 6 months and took 15 months to develop. Masamune Shirow assisted in the conceptual stages of the game. Cavia wanted the game to be faithful to the original TV series, but also chose a design that allowed them to enhance the personalities of Motoko Kusanagi and Batou. Music was produced by Cavia with sound effects being in collaboration with Production I.G.[1]

Reception

The game received "average" reviews according to the review aggregation website Metacritic.[2] In Japan, Famitsu gave it a score of two sevens, one eight, and one seven for a total of 29 out of 40.[3] It sold 45,528 copies a week after its release in Japan.[14]

References
  1. Halverson, Dave (October 2004). "Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex - Man Machine Interface". Play US. No. 34. pp. 22–29. Retrieved August 2, 2019.
  2. "Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex Critic Reviews for PlayStation 2". Metacritic. CBS Interactive. Retrieved August 2, 2019.
  3. "攻殻機動隊 STAND ALONE COMPLEX (PS2)". Famitsu (in Japanese). Vol. 795. Enterbrain. March 12, 2004.
  4. "Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex (PS2)". Game Informer. No. 140. GameStop. December 2004. p. 175.
  5. Wolpaw, Erik (November 19, 2004). "Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex Review (PS2)". GameSpot. CBS Interactive. Retrieved May 25, 2020.
  6. Lafferty, Michael (November 29, 2004). "Ghost In The Shell - Stand Alone Complex - PS2 - Review". GameZone. Archived from the original on October 5, 2008. Retrieved May 25, 2020.
  7. Lewis, Ed (November 5, 2004). "Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex (PS2)". IGN. Ziff Davis. Retrieved May 25, 2020.
  8. Logan (April 18, 2005). "Test: Ghost In The Shell: Stand Alone Complex (PS2)". Jeuxvideo.com (in French). Webedia. Retrieved May 25, 2020.
  9. "Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex (PS2)". Official UK PlayStation 2 Magazine. No. 60. Future plc. June 2005.
  10. "Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex (PS2)". Official U.S. PlayStation Magazine. No. 87. Ziff Davis. December 2004. p. 102.
  11. "Review: Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex (PS2)". PSM. Imagine Media. December 25, 2004. p. 73.
  12. Sewart, Greg (February 14, 2005). "Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex Review (PS2)". X-Play. G4TV. Archived from the original on March 8, 2005. Retrieved May 25, 2020.
  13. Wilcox, Mike (June 18, 2005). "Turn turtle". The Sydney Morning Herald. Fairfax Media. Archived from the original on June 17, 2017. Retrieved May 25, 2020.
  14. "集計期間:2004年3月8日〜2004年3月14日". Famitsu (in Japanese). Enterbrain. Retrieved January 7, 2013.
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