Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Ghost Lion’s gameplay harkens back to the golden age of turn-based RPGs, presenting combat in a first-person view reminiscent of Dragon Warrior. Battles unfold at a deliberate pace, giving you time to plan each move, summon ghostly allies, and manage your Courage (hit points) and Dream (magic points) wisely. The absence of traditional party members is offset by the ability to call upon spirits like the soldier Moja—each with their own special attacks and elemental affinities.

(HEY YOU!! We hope you enjoy! We try not to run ads. So basically, this is a very expensive hobby running this site. Please consider joining us for updates, forums, and more. Network w/ us to make some cash or friends while retro gaming, and you can win some free retro games for posting. Okay, carry on 👍)

Level progression breaks from convention: you won’t gain levels through grinding encounters. Instead, you must seek out special items hidden throughout the Dream World and Dark World. This design encourages exploration and puzzle-solving, rewarding players who thoroughly search towns, dungeons, and secret passages for vital artifacts. The risk–reward loop feels fresh, though it can be unforgiving if you miss a key item and find yourself outmatched by tougher foes.

Exploration takes place on an overworld map dotted with villages, forests, and caves. Towns serve as safe havens where you can rest, purchase supplies, and gather clues about your missing parents. Dungeons offer multi-floor challenges filled with traps, hidden doors, and occasional puzzles that leverage your spear’s unique abilities. While navigation can sometimes feel maze-like due to limited in-game mapping, the sense of accomplishment upon discovering a hidden chamber or breakthrough secret passage is undeniably satisfying.

Graphics

On the NES hardware, Ghost Lion delivers surprisingly detailed sprite work and atmospheric backgrounds. Characters and enemies are rendered with clean lines and expressive animations, especially during spellcasting sequences when wisps of Dream magic swirl around Maria. The white lion boss stands out as a memorable and imposing figure, its design evoking both majesty and menace.

Environmental tilesets shift dramatically between the Dream World’s pastel hues and the Dark World’s brooding palettes. Dream caverns glimmer with ethereal light, while the Dark World is choked in deep purples and blacks, punctuated by glowing runes. Though palette limitations occasionally lead to visual repetition, the contrasting worlds maintain a strong thematic identity that immerses you in Maria’s otherworldly journey.

Transitions between areas are swift, with minimal loading pauses. Menu interfaces are crisp and intuitive, featuring clear icons for Courage, Dream, and the ghosts in your roster. Battle graphics—while static in the first-person view—show enemy sprites in ample detail, and summoned attacks display small but effective animations. Overall, Ghost Lion’s graphics hold up well today, evoking nostalgia without feeling dated.

Story

Ghost Lion weaves a haunting tale of loss and determination. The backstory of the mysterious white lion’s initial rampage and the soldier Moja’s heroic stand sets a tragic stage for the events to come. When Maria’s parents vanish during their fateful cave expedition, the narrative stakes become deeply personal, driving her—and you—forward on a quest that feels both urgent and heartfelt.

As Maria tumbles into the Dream World, the story takes on a surreal quality. The fairies who guide her hint at cosmic forces at play, and the lore surrounding Courage and Dream adds a layer of mysticism. Each character you meet, from townsfolk to spectral guardians, contributes small pieces to the larger puzzle of what the white lion truly represents—and why it must be confronted in an even more ominous Dark World.

Storytelling is delivered primarily through simple text dialogues and evocative environmental details. There are no voiceovers or cinematic cutscenes, but the writing is concise and effective, painting vivid mental images. While some players might wish for deeper character development or more branching plot paths, the narrative remains lean and focused, ensuring that every dungeon and battle ties back to Maria’s ultimate mission.

Overall Experience

Ghost Lion offers a compelling blend of exploration, strategic combat, and atmospheric storytelling. Its unique approach to leveling and ghost summoning sets it apart from other JRPGs of its era, rewarding players who engage fully with its world. The balance between Dream World whimsy and Dark World dread creates a memorable contrast that keeps the adventure feeling fresh from start to finish.

That said, the lack of random-level progression can frustrate those accustomed to steady experience gains, and the absence of an in-game map can make navigation tricky. Some dungeons lean heavily on trial and error, and a few boss fights may feel unfair if you’ve missed critical upgrade items. Still, overcoming these hurdles provides a genuine sense of achievement and discovery.

For retro RPG enthusiasts or newcomers curious about NES classics, Ghost Lion represents a unique chapter in the genre’s history. Its blend of challenging mechanics, haunting visuals, and concise storytelling offers an experience that’s both nostalgic and surprisingly innovative. If you’re ready to embrace a non-traditional progression system and explore two starkly different worlds, Ghost Lion is a journey well worth taking.

Retro Replay Score

6.1/10