Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Ghoul Panic’s core mechanic is built around fast-paced, light-gun action that feels both nostalgic and fresh. Players are dropped into a sprawling haunted mansion where they must blast through waves of vampires, mummies, skeletons, and other spooks to unlock doors and reveal hidden bonuses. The shooting feels responsive, and the recoil feedback from the PlayStation light-gun adds a tactile thrill that keeps you on the edge of your seat.

One of the standout features is the variety of difficulties and modes on offer. With three main difficulty tiers—Easy, Normal, and Hard—players of all skill levels can find a challenge that suits them. Beyond the standard modes, PlayStation-exclusive Survival, Adventure, and Remix modes offer unique twists on the formula, from timed endurance shoots to randomized enemy patterns that keep even veterans on their toes.

The level design is cleverly structured, with each room presenting puzzles that are more than just target practice. Some doors require you to shoot hidden switches or accurately hit a series of targets within a time limit, encouraging precision as much as speed. Hidden bonuses are scattered throughout, rewarding exploration and replayability for those who want to unpack every secret Ghoul Panic has to offer.

Multiplayer options add another layer of fun, allowing two players to compete or cooperate as they clear rooms together. The head-to-head mode pits you directly against a friend, racing to clear targets faster, while co-op encourages teamwork to manage the relentless onslaught of ghouls. These modes extend the game’s lifespan and inject a party-game vibe that’s perfect for casual gatherings.

Graphics

Visually, Ghoul Panic strikes a delightful balance between campy humor and genuine horror ambiance. The mansion’s corridors are dimly lit, with flickering candles and shifting shadows that heighten tension as you aim your gun at approaching fiends. While the polygon count reflects its arcade origins, careful use of textures and lighting effects masks much of the technical age, giving the game a surprisingly atmospheric look.

The character and monster designs lean into exaggerated, cartoonish proportions that enhance the game’s comedic tone. Vampires swoop down with theatrical capes, mummies lumber with excessive bandages unfurling, and skeletons rattle and dance in over-the-top fashion. These stylized models convey personality in every frame, ensuring each enemy encounter feels distinct and memorable.

Special effects such as sparks flying from gunfire, dust clouds when walls crumble, and ghostly wisps drifting through hallways showcase the developers’ attention to detail. These touches may seem small, but they elevate the sense of immersion, making each blast and explosion feel weighty and impactful. The light-gun’s cursor movement is smooth, ensuring that targeting remains precise even during the most chaotic on-screen moments.

In terms of presentation, Ghoul Panic’s user interface is clean and unobtrusive. Health meters, ammo counters, and bonus indicators sit neatly in the corners of the screen, leaving the rest of the display free for the spooky visuals. The menu screens, complete with creepy-themed icons and ambient background music, maintain the haunted mansion vibe from the moment you boot up the game.

Story

While Ghoul Panic isn’t driven by a deep narrative, it weaves a delightfully tongue-in-cheek tale that serves as the perfect backdrop for its shooting action. You play as a plucky paranormal investigator who has been summoned to a mansion overrun by mischievous ghouls. Your mission: clear each corridor, unlock sealed doors, and ultimately discover the mansion’s hidden secret.

Dialogues between levels are short but amusing, featuring witty quips from your character and sarcastic retorts from a mysterious voice guiding you through the domain. These interactions maintain a light, campy tone that never takes itself too seriously, reinforcing the game’s roots in arcade comedy. Though minimal, the banter adds flavor and keeps players invested in making progress through the mansion’s many rooms.

Each wing of the mansion has its own theme, from the dusty library filled with animated books to the grand ballroom haunted by ghostly dancers. These set pieces provide context for the enemies you face—skeletal conductors in the ballroom or possessed tomes in the library—and serve as fun little vignettes that break up the shooting action. The variety of environments gives a sense of exploration and keeps the narrative feeling dynamic.

Hidden game modes like Adventure and Remix hint at untold backstories and alternate scenarios, adding a layer of narrative mystery. Adventure mode, in particular, places you on a treasure-hunt style quest for artifacts, introducing mini-boss encounters and short puzzles that enrich the main storyline. Remix mode rearranges levels and enemies, offering fresh narrative beats even for veteran players who want to revisit the mansion.

Overall Experience

Ghoul Panic delivers an exhilarating blend of action, humor, and spooky atmosphere that makes for an endlessly replayable experience. Its arcade heritage shines through in the smooth gunplay, tight controls, and the addictive cycle of clearing rooms to unlock more secrets. For fans of light-gun shooters, it captures the essence of classic arcade cabinets while adding modern twists through exclusive PlayStation modes.

Despite modest technical horsepower, the game’s stylized visuals, vibrant enemy designs, and dynamic lighting effects create a cohesive world that feels alive. The balance between comedic horror and shooting thrills is expertly pitched, ensuring players are never bored—whether they’re blasting through the main campaign or testing their skills in Survival mode.

The inclusion of multiple difficulties and hidden modes offers excellent value, catering to casual players and hardcore enthusiasts alike. Co-op and competitive multiplayer rounds out the package, giving friends plenty of reasons to gather around the TV for ghost-busting marathons. Even solo players will find hours of enjoyment in hunting down every secret and conquering the mansion at every difficulty level.

Overall, Ghoul Panic stands out as a must-have for light-gun aficionados and anyone craving a fun, spooky adventure. Its combination of accessible gameplay, charming graphics, and humorous storytelling makes it a standout title on the PlayStation library. Whether you’re new to the haunted mansion or a veteran ghost hunter, Ghoul Panic offers thrills and laughs in equal measure.

Retro Replay Score

6.9/10