Ghost in the Machine (2015)

Developer: Michael J. Moffitt, Julian J. Hammerstein
Platforms: Windows, macOS, Linux
Genres: Action, Indie
Rating: 3.3 of 5, 21 player ratings
Typical playtime: about 35 minutes
Where to get it: Steam

The 3D catalog: game boxes on wooden shelves, with the cat sitting at the counter next to its greeting.

The catalog in 3D

The same catalog has a room you can walk around in. The cat behind the counter is the AI Catbot, and they pick real games from it when you tell them what you feel like playing. Nothing is for sale, here or in there. Go in from here and this game is already out on the counter, with more like it waiting on the shelf next to it.

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How it feels

A tense, punishing retro platformer where one wrong move means instant death in a dark, machine-filled factory.

retrodifficultatmospherictensesimple controlspixelatedpunishingrewarding

What players say

Players strongly split on Ghost in the Machine. Many praise the music and tight controls but also report the dark monochrome visuals and restricted view make obstacles nearly invisible, forcing blind jumps and trial and error. A level editor adds value for some.

Screenshots

More games like this

This page is from Underplayed Gems, a catalog of older and overlooked games. Not quite it? You can browse by platform and genre, or take this one into the 3D catalog and ask the Catbot for something closer.