The game's story and art design were written and illustrated by Masamune Shirow, the author of the original manga. Ghost in the Shell's plot revolves around a recruit of Public Security Section 9 as he investigates and combats the Human Liberation Front. The player controls a Fuchikoma, a robotic fighting vehicle capable of traversing walls and ceilings.
The game received mainly positive reviews. It was praised for its graphics, animation, music and unusual wall-climbing mechanics. However, it received criticism for its tedious and repetitive gameplay and low difficulty. Fifteen years after its release, Game Informer listed Ghost in the Shell as one of the best manga and anime-based games.
Gameplay
The player's Fuchikoma robot scaling a skyscraper and attacking an enemy
The player controls a spider-shaped think tank robot, known as Fuchikoma, that is able to jump, thrust forward, strafe to the side, climb walls, and hang upside-down from ceilings.[1][2] The camera auto-adjusts its position when scaling walls and ceilings for easy maneuvering,[1] and automatically switches between first and third-person perspectives depending on the environment, although the player can stay in first-person view at will.[3]
The Fuchikoma is equipped with twin machine guns and guided missiles.[4] Both weapons have unlimited ammunition, however up to six missiles can be launched at once after a charge time.[1][4] Grenades can be found throughout missions and a maximum of three can be carried at a time.[1] Enemies vary from humanoid robots to helicopters and sport an array of firearms and explosives.[4] Some stages of the game are governed by a time limit.[5] Seventeen cutscenes can be unlocked throughout the missions and depending on the player's score in training mode.[2] Once unlocked, the cutscenes can be reviewed on the options menu.[6][7]
The training mode contains six stages to learn the basic game elements. The first five stages introduce the player to targets in various settings and using the controls effectively, with the sixth being a battle against another Fuchikoma. The twelve missions that compose the story take place in different environments, including a warehouse complex, a sewer, the city highways, and the enemy base inside of a skyscraper.[2] The missions display a variety of gameplay objectives: the first mission is a raid; the third level is an Explosive Ordnance Disposal mission that involves the elimination of bombs attached to red barrels; the fourth level is a sea chase on a boat; the fifth level is a game of hide-and-seek with the player having to locate a boss wearing thermoptical camouflage; and the game's final boss fight ends with a free fall battle down the skyscraper under a timer.
Plot
The plot follows the members of Public Security Section 9, mainly consisting of Major Motoko Kusanagi, Chief Aramaki, Batou, Togusa, Ishikawa, Saito, and a nameless male, the Rookie, controlled by the player. The game's story is told using mission briefings and animated cutscenes.
After the terrorist organization known as the Human Liberation Front claims responsibility for blowing up the Megatech Body Corporation building, Section 9 is sent to resolve the situation. Section 9 is able to trace the terrorists' communications and find their location in the bay area; however, it is a trap. Chief Aramaki later announces that the leader of the Human Liberation Front is a mercenary known as Zebra 27. Ishikawa then reports that the Energy Ministry is interested in files relating to Zebra; Aramaki orders further investigation.
The Rookie's skill is put to the test, leading chase missions and surviving an ambush. Eventually, the Human Liberation Front's secret base is discovered in Aeropolis II tower by following the enemy supply line, along with the terrorists' intentions of using a nuclear reactor. Ishikawa informs Aramaki that an official of the Energy Ministry named Sawamura has been in contact with Zebra and is connected to Megatech Body Corporation. While conducting the raid on the enemy's base, the reactor begins to overload. In order to shut it down, squad leader Motoko Kusanagi attempts to remove the protective barrier from an access point nearby, as the rest of the team search for the other building's control room. After disarming the reactor, Kusanagi locates the leader on top of the tower. Batou and Togusa encounter obstacles that prevent them from moving to the top, leaving the Rookie as the only available member. Once he reaches the top, he engages the leader in combat and defeats him in a free fall battle off of the tower.
After the mission, it is revealed that Sawamura planned to collect bribes from Megatech in exchange for covering up a defect in the nuclear reactor, which was going to explode, and presenting it as a terrorist attack; however, Zebra seized the reactor to take it over and wanted to extort money from Sawamura. Kusanagi declares the entire experience as at least good training for the Rookie and acknowledges the Rookie's cleverness, but criticizes the overdependence on the Fuchikoma.
Development
The game was in development for one and a half years, and involved the work of several divisions, being Kenji Sawaguchi and Tetsuji Yamamoto the total director and producer respectively.[8] The programming was done by Exact, known for the Jumping Flash! series.[4]Ghost in the Shell was designed and targeted to a mature audience; developers did not make Motoko playable to prevent the game appearing to be a character-based game for children. The original manga's creator Masamune Shirow was the main designer of the characters and mecha for the game.[8]
The concept for the Fuchikoma came from one climactic scene of the film: the battle between Motoko Kusanagi and the big spider-like tank in the museum of paleontology. Based on this tank design, mecha creators Shōji Kawamori and Atsushi Takeuchi made a smaller version, designed for one person, that would be used by the police. Thus, the player becomes the pilot of one of these combat machines.[7]
At Production I.G, Hiroyuki Kitakubo directed the animation scenes, wrote the screenplay and did the storyboards; Toshihiro Kawamoto was animation supervisor and a character designer.[9][10] The scenes are noticeably different when compared to the film namesake directed by Mamoru Oshii, because the game is colored using a full digital technique.[8][10] The scenes are a combination of cel animation and backgrounds that were rendered in three dimensions to ensure smooth transitions for the camera movement. Adobe Photoshop was used to add the finishing details to the scenes.[11]
The Japanese voicing of the game was done by a different cast than the film's: Motoko Kusanagi was played by Hiromi Tsuru, Batou by Shinji Ogawa, Chief Aramaki by Soichi Ito, Ishikawa by Kiyoshi Kobayashi, Togusa by Hirotaka Suzuoki, Saito by Nobuyuki Hiyama, and the Fuchikoma were voiced by Katsue Miwa.[9] The English localization was dubbed by the same cast used for the original movie, although the game does not specify the respective roles in the credits.[8] Motoko was voiced by Mimi Woods, Batou by Richard Epcar, Aramaki by William Frederick, and Togusa by Christopher Joyce; the roles of Bob Papenbrook, Wendee Lee, Jimmy Krakor and Julie Maddalena are not reliably known.
Release and promotion
The game was originally released in Japan by Sony Computer Entertainment on July 17, 1997. The following day, a launch party was held at the Yebisu Garden Hall: the Megatech Body Night. The event featured the game's music artists Takkyu Ishino, Joey Beltram and Mijk van Dijk performing live, and a Fuchikoma robot appeared. All who bought tickets received a papercraft kit of the Fuchikoma and ten posters of the game were raffled.[12] A Japanese demo disc was also released with the first mission playable.[13][14]
The first edition of Official U.S. PlayStation Magazine was published in October 1997 and featured the game on its cover.[15] Having acquired the North American license to publish Ghost in the Shell video games in mid-1996,[16]THQ released the game in North America on December 2, 1997.[17] It was released in Europe by Sony Computer Entertainment on July 1, 1998.[4] THQ's producer Don Nauert said that aside from dubbing and changing the button configuration, the English localization of the game was not modified nor censored.[8]
The soundtrack albums for the game were titled Ghost in the Shell: Megatech Body[ja 2], named after the cybernetic body manufacturer in the Ghost in the Shell series. The albums were produced by Takkyu Ishino and feature techno tracks by other composers including Mijk van Dijk.[18] Two versions of the albums were released by Sony Music Entertainment Japan on July 17, 1997: Megatech Body CD., a standard single disc; and Megatech Body CD., Ltd., a limited two-disc edition. Megatech Vinyl. Ltd. was a limited two LP record set scheduled to be released.[18]
Kodansha released three books and one video about the game. Ghost in the Shell Official Art Book[ja 3] was published on July 4, 1997; the artbook contains concept designs, scenes and commentary.[23] Two guidebooks were published: Ghost in the Shell: Basic File[ja 4] on July 17, 1997,[24] and Ghost in the Shell: Master File[ja 5] on August 29, 1997.[25] The video, Making of Game Ghost in the Shell All of Digital Animation[ja 6], features interviews with the animation staff; it was released on VHS on April 22, 1998.[26] A LaserDisc was also released in 1998 that included interviews on side A and the in-game cutscenes on side B.[27]
Ghost in the Shell gained an aggregate rating of 78.50% at GameRankings based on six reviews.[28]AllGame praised the graphics, sound and gameplay; the review stated, "Even with plenty of eye candy and strong audio, a game is nothing without actually being fun to play and as you've probably guessed, Ghost in the Shell supplies the fun, whether you're familiar with the license or not."[29]GameSpot rated the game as good, eulogizing the controls as "simple... most people will take to them like a fish to water" and praising the animation sequences.[2]GameFan reviewers cited the game's unique wall-scaling mechanics and stated that it lives up to the name of the Ghost in the Shell series.[33]IGN said that the game was great, faithful to its manga counterpart, stating that "the techno music, including tracks from artists like Derrick May and Hardfloor, is superb," but adding that "the levels aren't incredibly difficult, and don't really encourage replay."[5]Super GamePower reviewed the game shortly after the movie was released in Brazil, stating that the opening animation was better than the animation in the film.[36] In Russia, Velikij Drakon lauded the orientation system, the game graphics and the overall design, highlighting the unlockable animation scenes.[7]NowGamer praised the gameplay mechanics but criticized the option to unlock, stating, "The tremendous feeling of agility you get from Ghost In The Shell and the slick weapons is where the fun comes from. But it's a tough game and playing for more scenes of new footage will not be compelling enough for a country in which anime is a cult industry and not a national fixation."[4]
GamePro did not find the game worthy of its name, although the cutscenes were praised, stating, "The cinemas at the opening of the game and between each level are stunning; however, the game graphics, particularly buildings and enemies, are lackluster at best. The sound effects are bland, and there are no weapon power-ups to be found. Put that all together and you get a very generic game."[37]Next Generation said it is an enjoyable game but eventually begins to feel tedious.[35]Computer and Video Games offered similar criticism, declaring that "it was too repetitive to become anything more than a good game."[3]Edge criticized the gameplay features such as camera control and boss difficulty.[30]Electronic Gaming Monthly reviewers criticized the game for its easy bosses and its repetitive and short gameplay value.[31]Famitsu liked the battles but complained about the Fuchikoma attaching to walls when not intended.[32]
The Herald-News praised the game for being original and worth playing, unlike other movie adaptations.[38] In 2013, Game Informer listed Ghost in the Shell as one of the best anime and manga-based games released in English, and the best of the franchise's titles; the other seven games in the list were released more than six years after Ghost in the Shell.[39]
↑ 攻殻機動隊 OFFICIAL ART BOOK, Kōkaku Kidōtai OFFICIAL ART BOOK
↑ 攻殻機動隊 GHOST IN THE SHELL 上巻 ベーシックファイル, Kōkaku Kidōtai GHOST IN THE SHELL Jōkan Bēshikku Fairu
↑ 攻殻機動隊 GHOST IN THE SHELL 下巻 マスターファイル, Kōkaku Kidōtai GHOST IN THE SHELL Gekan Masutā Fairu
↑ MAKING OF GAME 攻殻機動隊デジタルアニメーションのすべて, MAKING OF GAME Kōkaku Kidōtai Dejitaru Animēshon no Subete
Related Research Articles
Ghost in the Shell is a Japanese cyberpunk media franchise based on the seinen manga series of the same name written and illustrated by Masamune Shirow. The manga, first serialized in 1989 under the subtitle of The Ghost in the Shell, and later published as its own tankōbon volumes by Kodansha, told the story of the fictional counter-cyberterrorist organization Public Security Section 9, led by protagonist Major Motoko Kusanagi, and is set in mid-21st century Japan.
Masanori Ota, better known by his pen name Masamune Shirow, is a Japanese manga artist. Shirow is best known for the manga Ghost in the Shell, which has since been turned into three theatrical anime films, two anime television series, an anime television movie, an anime ONA series, a theatrical live action movie, and several video games.
Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex is a Japanese anime television series produced by Production I.G and based on Masamune Shirow's manga Ghost in the Shell. It was written and directed by Kenji Kamiyama, with original character design by Hajime Shimomura and a soundtrack by Yoko Kanno. The first season aired from October 2002 to October 2003 and was positively received by critics. A second season, titled Ghost in the Shell: S.A.C. 2nd GIG, aired from January 2004 to January 2005. Critical response to the series was generally positive.
Major Motoko Kusanagi, or just "Major", is the main protagonist in Masamune Shirow's Ghost in the Shell manga and anime series. She is a synthetic "full-body prosthesis" augmented-cybernetic human employed as the field commander of Public Security Section 9, a fictional anti-cybercrime law-enforcement division of the Japanese National Public Safety Commission. A strong-willed, physically powerful, and highly intelligent cyberhero, she is well known for her skills in deduction, hacking and military tactics.
Public Security Section 9 is a fictional gendarmerie-style information security and intelligence department from Masamune Shirow's Ghost in the Shell manga and anime series. In the franchise, its jurisdiction exists under the Ministry of Internal Affairs. In some translations, the name is given as Public Safety Section 9. In the original film, it is known as the Shell Squad or Security Police Section 9. In the original publication of the manga, it was known as Mobile Armored Riot Police Section 9. Regardless of translation, when spoken of by the characters, it is simply referred to as Section 9.
Tachikoma are fictional walker robots endowed with artificial intelligence (AI) that are featured in the Ghost in the Shell universe. They appear in the manga created by Masamune Shirow and in the Stand Alone Complex sub-universe. Nine of them are initially deployed to Section 9. They are spider-like, multi-legged combat vehicles, and are equipped with adaptive artificial intelligence. The spider design appears in other places in Shirow's work such as the Appleseed manga. Shirow is noted to keep numerous spiders as pets.
Batou is a main male character in Masamune Shirow's Ghost in the Shell series. He is the second-best melee fighter in Section 9, and is the second in command under Major Motoko Kusanagi. He is a battle-hardened cyborg special operative with a long distinguished military career and a no-nonsense attitude. Though he looks imposing, he is known for his warm heart, sense of humor, and love for animals.
Togusa is the second most prominently featured male character in Masamune Shirow's Ghost in the Shell manga and anime series. In Stand Alone Complex, as well as the original Ghost in the Shell film, it is stated that he is the youngest member of Section 9 and the only family man. His voice is provided by Kōichi Yamadera in most of his appearances, while Hirotaka Suzuoki provides his voice in the Ghost in the Shell PlayStation game. Chin Han portrayed Togusa in the 2017 film.
Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex, released in Japan as Kokaku Kidotai: Stand Alone Complex - Domain of the Hunters, is a first-person shooter video game based on the cyberpunk anime series Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex and a sequel to the first Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex game of the same title, developed by G-Artists and published for the PlayStation Portable by Sony Computer Entertainment and Bandai in 2005. It was released in Japan on September 15, 2005, in Europe on October 21, 2005 distributed by Atari Europe, and in North America on October 26, 2005, but releasing it under the same name as the original PS2 game caused confusion and misinterpretation of it as a port.
Ghost in the Shell is a 1995 adult animated neo-noir cyberpunk thriller film directed by Mamoru Oshii and adapted by frequent Oshii collaborator Kazunori Itō. The film is based on the manga of the same name by Masamune Shirow. It stars the voices of Atsuko Tanaka, Akio Ōtsuka, and Iemasa Kayumi. It is a Japanese-British international co-production, executive produced by Kodansha, Bandai Visual and Manga Entertainment, with animation provided by Production I.G.
Ghost in the Shell is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Masamune Shirow, which spawned the media franchise of the same name. It was first serialized in Kodansha's seinen manga magazine Young Magazine Zōkan Kaizokuban from 1989 to 1991, under the subtitle of The Ghost in the Shell and was compiled in one tankōbon volume. Set in the mid-21st-century, it tells the story of the fictional counter-cyberterrorist organization Public Security Section 9, led by protagonist Major Motoko Kusanagi. Ghost in the Shell 2: Man-Machine Interface was the sequel work which follows the story of Motoko after merging with the Puppeteer. The last volume, Ghost in the Shell 1.5: Human-Error Processor, contains four separate cases.
Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex - Solid State Society is a 2006 science fiction anime film and part of the Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex series based on Masamune Shirow's manga Ghost in the Shell. It was produced by Production I.G and directed by Kenji Kamiyama.
The music for the anime series Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex was primarily composed by Yoko Kanno and produced by Victor Entertainment. Soundtracks were also produced for the two OVA films, The Laughing Man and Individual Eleven, and the TV film Solid State Society.
Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex is an action game based on the cyberpunk anime of the same name. It is a third-person shooter, released for the PlayStation 2.
Ghost in the Shell: Arise, also known in Japan as Mobile Armored Riot Police: Arise, is an original video animation and television series that serves as a re-imagining of Masamune Shirow's Ghost in the Shell. The series features new character designs and is directed by Kazuchika Kise, screenplay by Tow Ubukata, and music by Cornelius.
Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex - First Assault Online, also known simply as First Assault, was a free-to-play online first-person shooter video game developed by South Korean developer Neople and published by Nexon. It was one of adaptations of the anime series Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex.
Ghost in the Shell: The New Movie, also known in Japan as Ghost in the Shell: The Movie or New Ghost in the Shell, is a 2015 Japanese animated science fiction film directed by Kazuya Nomura. A continuation of the Ghost in the Shell: Arise story arc, The New Movie is the first feature in the series since Ghost in the Shell SAC: Solid State Society in 2006. The film is a continuation of Pyrophoric Cult, and ties up loose ends from that arc.
Ghost in the Shell: SAC_2045 is a Japanese original net animation (ONA) anime series based on the 1980s Japanese manga series Ghost in the Shell by Masamune Shirow, set in the Stand Alone Complex sub-continuity.
References
1 2 3 4 "Ghost in the Shell Preview". GameFan. 5 (9): 35. September 1997. ISSN1092-7212.
↑ 攻殻機動隊（通常盤）[Ghost in the Shell (Normal Edition)] (in Japanese). Sony Music Entertainment Japan. Archived from the original on 2020-09-09. Retrieved 2014-10-07.
↑ Megatech Body CD (CD). Sony Music Entertainment Japan. 1997.
↑ 攻殻機動隊（限定盤）[Ghost in the Shell (Limited Edition)] (in Japanese). Sony Music Entertainment Japan. Archived from the original on 2015-09-24. Retrieved 2014-10-07.
↑ Megatech Body CD., Ltd., disc 2 (CD). Sony Music Entertainment Japan. 1997.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply. Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.
