Ghostrunner

Introduction

This wonderfully harsh-looking sci-fi world into which Ghostrunner thrusts players is certainly one of the most brutal, yet has many moments of the most frenetic parkour mixed with brutal one-hit-kill combat that is characteristic of first-person cyberpunk action-platformers, developed by One More Level, 3D Realms, and Slipgate Ironworks, then set in the dystopian megastructure called Dharma Tower, where "you are a cybernetically-enhanced assassin who wakes up in that layered chaos to take revenge." The world, indeed, resounds to sharp reflexes, lightning-quick katana kills, and an addictive synth backing track. Speed and deadliness within the lowest possible space become so valuable, but restarts in a much higher rate are expected.

Gameplay – 9/10

Ghostrunner is about momentum, precision, and flow: sprinting and wall-running, sliding, air-dashing, and using a grappling hook-a kinetic, graceful traversal through environments. The combat is as unforgiving and rewarding: you die in one hit, and so do your enemies; attack, dodge, and repeat, with the rhythm continually high-stakes.

It's not brute force; it's a deadly puzzle: a challenge in movement and timing in every room to find that most efficient route through a gauntlet of armed enemies, turrets, traps, and environmental hazards. Mastery is trial and error, and death is part of the loop-you respawn almost instantly, so you can learn, adapt, and go again in seconds.

A game will eventually unlock moves such as temporarily delaying the time for dodges, deflecting projectiles, and cutting through them with telekinesis. These add heights of strategic dimension and verticality, so that the later encounters become as much a matter of timing as speed reflexes.

Visuals & Art Style – 8.5/10

The world of Ghostrunner is neon-soaked and full of cyberpunk splendours, a combination of shiny chrome and decaying grit of urban life. Dharma Tower is shadowed in bright advertisements, flickering lights, brutalistic architecture, and pulsating tech — all rendered with a sharp, sleek style.

Enemy designs may not be incredibly varied, but they have such a strong visual identity that they can be differentiated almost immediately in battle. Slowing down the visuals and adding some particle effects and atmospheric lighting enhance the kinetic chaos without sacrificing any legibility whatsoever.

Sound & Music – 9/10

The soundtrack is a hard-hitting synthwave feast, composed by Daniel Deluxe, and it is a banger. Each track is perfectly timed to the intensity of the level, driving players forward with pulsing beats and adrenaline-laced tempo.

The sound design matches the pace: every sword slash, wall-run, and dash hits with crisp audio feedback. Voice acting is sparse but effective, and ambient sounds help paint a world full of menace and mechanical decay.

Narrative & Atmosphere – 7.5/10

A stripped-down story told effectively, Ghostrunner brings an action-packed adventure where you, the Ghostrunner, a cybernetic warrior, get resurrected by your creator AI, the Architect, and summoned to overthrow the tyrant: the Keymaster, Mara. Most of the storyline is told through voiceovers and short cutscenes between levels.

It is not very innovative regarding the narrative, but everything clicks well, and the world building tempts you enough to not fast-forward. The atmosphere is heavy, cold, and injected in a desperate wire — a perfect mood for a setting built on broken systems and steel survival.

Replayability – 8/10

After finishing Ghostrunner, players are invited to test their skills in speedrun modes, get collectibles, and tackle challenges unique to each level. Movement feels so good that just replaying an area to do better becomes its own reward. There are also modular upgrades that you can mix and match Tetris-style for different playstyles that encourage a degree of experimentation.

That being said, aside from time and collectibles, content remains linear and fairly identical during replay sessions, but anyone keen on skill-oriented gameplay shall find value in going back.

Final Verdict – 8.6/10

Ghostrunner is a lightning-quick ballet of blades, parkour, and precision, offering some of the most visceral and fluid movement mechanics in any first-person game. It blends the relentless trial-and-error design of Hotline Miami with the neon dystopia of Blade Runner, producing an experience that’s both electrifying and demanding.

While the story takes a backseat to mechanics, the moment-to-moment gameplay is so well-tuned, stylish, and thrilling that it hardly matters. For fans of fast-paced action, cyberpunk worlds, and perfecting their every move, Ghostrunner is a must-play.