Ghostrunner is a first-person perspective (FPP) action game that pits players against thugs in a world of tyranny. Taking place in a cybervoid, gamers can play as the Ghostrunner themselves, a katana-wielding assassin who is torn between the ruling class and a mysterious voice called “The Architect.”
Published by 505 Games, Ghostrunner offers a range of gaming experiences that can make players feel alive in a lawless city. As a wanderer in search of his next kill, the player can use a handful of astonishing abilities and weapons to slash enemies in their wake. When jumping into the game for the first time, try these combinations of skills and tactics to wipe out foes without getting wasted.
Updated on March 6, 2022, by Chetan Shekar: Ghostrunner has been making headlines since the start of 2022. The developers of the game have been relentlessly releasing brand new content to improve Ghostrunner for its players. Kill Run, Wave, and Photo are new modes that have been introduced into the game.
The latest updates to Ghostrunner include the Metal Ox Pack, Neon Pack, and the Halloween Pack that have been recently added to the game. Gamers that are subscribed to PlayStation Plus and own a PlayStation 5 can play Ghostrunner for free as of March 2022. Take a look at these beginner tips that can help new players dominate Ghostrunner.
14 Sensory Boost Can Be A Life Saver
Ghostrunner provides loads of cool abilities that can be used in unique ways throughout the game. Sensory Boost is the earliest ability players can learn in Ghostrunner. With the touch of a button, people can activate Sensory Boost to slow time. This ability lets people move smoothly across the map and dodge enemies in life and death situations.
The Sensory Boost ability has a short timer that can be seen under the crosshair immediately after activating it. People have a few seconds to spare to decide the direction of their movement before exhausting the ability.
13 Get Better At Kill Run Mode
Kill Run is a new mode that has been available in the game since April 2021. People must dash through the streets of Dharma Tower and beat the clock to complete the stage. There are a total of 5 new stages that have been introduced to Ghostrunner in Kill Run mode.
Each stage takes close to 26 seconds to complete and provides plenty of clocks that can be grabbed along the way to replenish the time left. Depending on the time it takes to finish each stage, players are given a rank for their accomplishments. Novice, Veteran, and Master are the 3 ranks that can be obtained in Kill Run mode.
12 Find Out About Adam
Although Dharma Tower is a vast map to explore, Ghostrunner has a small cast of characters that can be known. Among the characters that people can uncover within the game, Adam is the most mysterious. As the chief designer of Dharma Tower, Adam dispenses his knowledge through several collectible audio logs placed throughout the game.
A total of 7 audio logs can be retrieved from 15 levels in the game. These audio logs are narrated by Adam as he explains his vision of Dharma Tower. People can collect and play these audio clips to find out more about the mastermind behind the artificial intelligence that has taken over the cyberpunk city.
11 Practice Quick Kills In Wave Mode
Wave mode was released as part of the Neon Pack update to Ghostrunner. It is an action-packed mode that positions the player against an endless wave of enemies. These enemies are generated on a colorful arena with 20 levels to complete in succession. Each level requires the player to kill around 10 enemies to advance to the next wave.
People will encounter an onslaught of enemies including Shield Bots, Mechs, Enforcers, and Sluggers. Clearing a wave of enemies will prompt the player to choose from a range of passive and active abilities. Most of these upgrades are exclusive to Wave mode and provide a fascinating twist to the game.
10 Dodge Enemies With Dash
Dash is a basic ability that lets the Ghostrunner lunge in any desired direction. Players can learn to dash pretty early in the game, and set a custom button to help them dash as fast as possible. Pressing the dash button along with the crouch button can speed up Ghostrunner’s movements on the ground and ledges.
When faced with multiple enemies in a room, gamers can use their dash to get close to enemies and quickly slaughter them. Dash can also be used to dodge enemy strikes from a distance. While the dash is extremely useful throughout the game, it needs to be refreshed and replenished before being used again, so be sure to keep it at the ready
9 Deflect Incoming Damage With The Blade
For melee combat lovers, Ghostrunner doesn’t disappoint. The blade can be tremendously resourceful in battle, especially when dealing with goons with guns. Players can deflect bullets with the katana and slash gunmen right afterward.
Deflecting bullets at the right time and with the appropriate angles can even pierce enemies, as their own ammo comes back to bite them. The Focus gauge gains a little amount of charge every time players deflect incoming projectiles. Unlocking the sensory microbooster ability enables players to slow time for a short duration, making deflection easier.
8 Do Or Die
As a fast-paced action game, Ghostrunner leaves no room for error. Players have to be on their guard, as a single attack is all it takes to end the game. On the other hand, it also means that killing enemies is much easier. Glide on the ledges and dash through the cybervoid to cut opponents with the katana.
The do-or-die mechanics of Ghostrunner makes it an exhilarating survival game. Players don’t have to kill all the enemies on the stage to complete a level, they just have to make it through. There are 17 distinct stages in Ghostrunner, and patiently executing enemies that are pivotal to the plot can be a good strategy to get ahead.
7 Make Constant Checkpoints Throughout The Game
The cybervoid can be challenging to navigate, and taking out all the enemies on a level without causing a critical failure can be a tedious task. Unlike most other action-adventure games, players can’t save their progress at will. New players will find this particularly frustrating, since clearing a level in one go can be nigh impossible.
Thankfully, there are plenty of checkpoints spread throughout the game. If killed, players can restart their mission from the last checkpoint. But be aware that reaching checkpoints doesn’t mean the game will load from that location after being closed — this only applies after death. When closed and then reopened the game restarts from the beginning of a level; thus, players should finish their current level before taking a break.
6 Aim & Antagonise Enemies With Blink
Blink is an ability that lets players strike multiple enemies at once, and can be unlocked by solving a puzzle at The Climb level. Once unlocked, The Architect will take players through a tutorial to get them accustomed to the new ability. With it, gamers can aim at enemies with precision and take them down in a single cut.
While using Blink, players can slow down time and even dodge incoming projectiles. As players progress through Ghostrunner, they can increase the range of Blink, increase its affected area, and gain an additional charge.
5 Push Back Enemies With The Tempest
The Tempest is an ability that lets players send out a burst of energy directly in front of them. It can be unlocked by solving a puzzle in the Road to Amida level. The energy blast is strong enough to blow away enemies in the wind. It can also be used to force projectiles back at enemies, making the ability priceless in battles.
Players can use the Tempest on the ground, mid-air, and while moving on ledges. Later in the game, its range can be increased and the Focus gauge is instantly replenished on killing multiple enemies in a single burst.
4 Obliterate Enemies With Surge
Surge is an ability that lets players release an attack from afar, which wipes out enemies. It is the most devastating ranged ability in the game and can come in handy when dealing with surprise attacks. Players can unlock Surge after defeating the boss of the In Her Own Image level.
This ability can instantly mitigate foes and clear the way for the player. Depending on their usage, gamers can increase the size of Surge, its range, and its speed. Beginners can use Surge to get out of tight situations, such as being surrounded by hostile inhabitants of Dharma Tower.
3 Upgrade Abilities & Engage Enemies
Ghostrunner has hundreds of foes that are up for a fight. From turrets to sluggers, players will face an endless army of enemies who can shoot Ghostrunner and shut him down. Several upgrades, however, can help players match up to the malevolent mercenaries that thrive in cybervoid.
Among the 29 total upgrades available in the game, ability upgrades are the most effective in combat. The ones that make the greatest difference in the overall experience include the following:
- Dash: Bulletproof
- Deflect: Boost
- Surge: Speed
- Focus: Technique Boost
2 Throw Shurikens At Unsuspecting Enemies
Adding to the vibrant cyberpunk theme of the game, players can get ahold of shurikens to throw at their foes. Shurikens can be found at certain locations such as corners and ledges. These sharp objects are ninja weapons that can cripple enemies from a distance.
Shurikens are one of the coolest weapons throughout the game. Players can throw them at boards to open pathways and corridors that are otherwise inaccessible. However, these ninja tools are only usable for a short duration and elapse within a few seconds.
1 Slay In Style
For players who have just picked up a new gaming console such as a PlayStation or Xbox, cyberpunk games are visually stunning and a joy to play. Ghostrunner also features a stimulating synth-wave soundtrack that can pump up the adrenaline while playing.
Befitting the immersive setting of the game, Ghostrunner has more than 10 unlockable sword styles. These swords are scattered around 17 levels and can be an adventure of their own to discover. A few levels such as Breath In and Echo provide multiple swords up for grabs.
Ghostrunner is available to play on PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch.