Ghostrunner is a modern survival game that pits players against an onslaught of enemies in a cyberpunk city. Ride the rails and climb the discerning Dharma Tower to fight Mara, the Keymaster, and bring justice to a land that is decaying. Fans of the first-person perspective (FPP) genre will enjoy wielding a sleek sword and slaying mercenaries in a visually spectacular world.
With a combination of stealth and savagery, pro-gamers can dominate the streets and destroy Mara’s henchmen dwelling in the cybervoid. Regardless of the time gamers have spent playing Ghostrunner, they are bound to make certain mistakes that can spoil the fun. Here's how to avoid them.
10 Walking Around In Dharma Tower
The inhabitants of Dharma Tower are constantly engaging in violence and bloodshed. Walking around the dangerous city can make novice Ghostrunners an easy target to kill. Having a slow movement speed and strike rate in this area can dampen players’ survivability and the time it takes to beat each level.
Moving across platforms with the regular jump isn’t going to get players very far. Instead, use the dash ability to quickly dive forward. Holding down the crouch button while dashing covers slightly more distance, and can be used to dodge enemies without getting hit. Stay mobile, and stay alive.
9 Getting Shot By Snipers
The cybervoid has numerous enemies with weapons designed to take out Ghostrunner. While foes with melee weapons such as the Slugger and the Warden are fast on their toes, snipers are particularly painful to deal with. These ranged combatants are stationed at high rises and rooftops, waiting to strike players wandering in the open.
The earliest signs of a sniper being present in the vicinity are red lasers scouring the area. These ultra-thin projections are indicators that snipers are ready to shoot at sight. Unfortunately, the Dash ability isn’t reliable in these situations. Instead, get around snipers by climbing to the rooftops and use Sensory Boost to avoid being hit.
8 Blinking On A Single Enemy
Players can unlock the Blink ability by completing The Climb level. This ability lets gamers mutilate multiple enemies at once. The architect will take players through a training round to familiarize players with the ability. Since using Blink can deplete the focus gauge, players can make the most of the ability by slashing enemies in a row. Using it on a single enemy, however, is a waste of the focus gauge.
Among the four abilities players can use throughout the game, mastering Blink can give players the advantage of dealing massive damage to enemies in an instant. Blink can also be upgraded to increase its range and the scope of its effects.
7 Close Combat Against Machines
While the sword is extremely efficient at cutting down humans, inorganic enemies such as turrets, mechs, wrecks, and drones are harder to tackle. Turrets are stationary machines that are fixed at different spots in the Dharma Tower. Stepping into their field of vision will trigger them to shoot the Ghostrunner with multiple rounds of gunfire. Don't attack them head-on; instead, side-step their bullets and jump over them to land a fatal strike.
Wrecks are machines that crawl towards players and explode when they get close. These robotic monstrosities can’t be cut. However, they can be killed with ranged attacks like the shuriken and the Surge ability.
6 Rushing Through The Level "Breathe In"
"Breathe In" is the fifth level in Ghostrunner. The stage has plenty of pipes, fans, exhausts, and corridors that can keep gamers entrenched for hours on end. There are several neon posters to admire throughout the level and gives players a true sense of a cyberpunk city.
In addition to the beautiful setting of the stage, Breathe In provides artifacts, audio logs, and sword skins to collect. These artifacts include a Projector, Exam Guide, Lemon Tree, and a Rebreather. The audio log titled "Fear" can also be obtained in the level. Skipping these invaluable collectibles can take away from the overall experience of Ghostrunner, so take the extra time to find them.
5 Circling Through Cybervoid With Just Seisouken
Devastating enemies with the katana can be a sheer joy for Ghostrunner players.. To make the game more interesting, there are fifteen swords that can be discovered and equipped as players make their way through Dharma Tower.
The Seisouken is the basic blade Ghostrunners get to fight with at the beginning of the game, but better looking swords such as the Kinteki Seisouken can be found in the level Road to Amida. The Twilight Seisouken is a slender sword skin that can be unlocked in the level Breathe In.
4 Hesitating To Strike During Sensory Boost
Players can learn the Sensory Boost ability to slow down time for a short duration. Pressing the Sensory Boost button lets players move to their left or right to evade any incoming damage. Since Sensory Boost only lasts a few seconds, players must be ready to kill before it elapses.
Unlocking the Sensory Microbooster gives players extra incentive to act fast, since every kill activates the ability for an instance. During later stages of the game, players can even detect foes through walls with Sensory Booster.
3 Skipping The Achievements
Ghostrunner can take over ten hours to beat. In addition to exploring the cybervoid and platforming, it has a handful of achievements that can keep gamers occupied for days after defeating the final boss.
Take it up as a challenge to win these badges and earn bragging rights in the international community. For example, the "More Than Human" achievement can be acquired by killing twenty-three enemies consecutively without dying. A tougher challenge is the "Running Wild" achievement that can be obtained by using Dash, wall-run, slide, and gap-jammer within a single second. Collect these trophies to keep the experience fresh and fun.
2 Overusing The Focus Gauge
Abilities such as Blink and Surge can wipe out enemies in one go, but they come at a cost. Using these abilities can empty out the focus gauge, which can take a few minutes to replenish. Being surrounded by enemies without the focus gauge filled can set players up for their demise.
Keep an eye on the focus gauge before entering into battle. Upgrades such as the Focus: Elimination Boost can increase the amount refilled per kill. As a bonus, players can also acquire a technique boost for the focus gauge in the level Reign in Hell. Utilizing these upgrades can increase survival.
1 Not Upgrading Abilities Fast Enough
As a survival game, Ghostrunner pushes players to their breaking point. Getting hit even once can restart their progress from the last checkpoint. Gamers must use the abilities within the game such as Blink, Tempest, and Surge to eliminate their foes without taking damage.
Ability upgrades can do wonders to help players combat mercenaries and complete the level. The Deflect: Reflect upgrade can be unlocked in the level The Climb and lets Ghostrunner bounce bullets back at enemies. The Dash: Bulletproof upgrade can be unlocked in the level Faster and makes players invulnerable to projectiles while using Dash. Don't pass these up — it's a fatal mistake.
Ghostrunner is available to play on PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch.