Ghost Squad (video game)

For the unrelated tv series of the same name, see Ghost Squad (TV series).

Ghost Squad
Developer(s)	Sega AM2 Polygon Magic (Wii port)
Publisher(s)	Sega
Platforms	Arcade Wii
Release date(s)	Arcade 2004 Wii
Genre(s)	Rail shooter
Mode(s)	Single player, Multiplayer
Cabinet	Deluxe Cabinet
Arcade system	Sega Chihiro
Sound	Amplified Stereo with Subwoofer (three channel)
Display	Raster

Ghost Squad Evolution
Arcade flyer
Developer(s)	Sega AM2
Publisher(s)	Sega
Distributor(s)	Sega Amusements
Platforms	Arcade
Release date(s)	2007
Genre(s)	Rail shooter
Mode(s)	Single player, Multiplayer
Cabinet	Deluxe Cabinet
Arcade system	Sega Lindbergh
Display	Toshiba 50” Projection 29" Standard Edition

File:Ghost Squad arcade machine.jpg

Arcade cabinet

Ghost Squad and Ghost Squad: Evolution are light gun rail shooter arcade games developed and published by Sega. A home version of the original Ghost Squad was developed for Nintendo's Wii game console. A sequel, Operation GHOST, was released in arcades in 2012.

Ghost Squad (Arcade)

The story starts in the middle of 2021, during the Brisbane Festival, where a big time criminal named Keith Martin is planning to hijack a cargo liner carrying over millions of dollars. After making his way through the city of Brisbane, he arrives at the liner, but he is ambushed and most of his accomplices are killed, as well as one of them, Robert Baxter, reveals he was working undercover with a anti-terrorist group. Baxter injures Martin and flees the scene, but Martin manages to escape as well and take cover in a abandoned airport.

9 months later, the airport Martin stayed at is attacked by a large group of unknown individuals, and Martin is forced to fight back. After killing all the individuals, Martin discovers that the people are robots, and he is confronted by Robert Baxter, who knocks Martin down and drags him onto a nearby helicopter before Martin blacks out.

Martin wakes up in a room with Baxter, where he reveals that they are in the secret base of the anti-terrorist group he has been working for since the cargo liner heist, the "Ghost Squad," which Baxter then proposes to Martin to join, which Martin accepts.

2 years later, a terrorist group invades the Ghost Squad base, and the Ghost Squad has to push them back, and 6 days after, the Ghost Squad retaliates by bombing the terrorist gang's own base. During one of their missions, the Ghost Squad discovers the identity of the terrorist group that ambushed them, the "Indigo Wolves." During another mission, Martin and BAxter kill the Indigo Wolves's leader, Laccard Zimone.

6 months later, NeoDyne Industries announces plans for a "StarLine Network" of 64 satellites that will unify the communications of all continets. However, Ghost Squad agent Christie Ryan discovers that the company's real plan is to launch an experimental nuclear satellite into space and sell it to the highest bidder, and that this plan is supported the the Indigo Wolves. So the Ghost Squad think of a plan to have one of the Squad Android agents Marrisa to pose as Ryan and have Martin save her to cover the real Ryan while She sneaks into the Satellite's launching site. while While attempting to escape with a suitcase full of incriminating data, she is exposed and barely manages a getaway. NeoDyne agent Jakov Kinisky and his mercenary troops track Ryan to her safehouse and abduct her just as a Ghost Squad extraction unit consisting of Martin and Baxter arrive. They pursue Kinisky to a canal, where he tries to escape on an armed speedboat. Martin and Baxter pursue him and force the boat to crash, killing Kinisky. They retrieve his case and learn the satellite is to be transported via train at a rural station.

They locate the train and catch up to it just as a aerial unit arrives to collect the satellite. the Indigo Wolves' real Leader, "Buff" Bryant, reveals that he arranged things so that any attempt to destroy the satellite would be in vain. He then engages the agents with his enhanced strength. They finally manage to shoot down his chopper and destroy the train. When NeoDyne mercenaries arrive to confirm their deaths, the agents kill them and use their chopper to reach the spaceport where the launch is scheduled.

They arrive just as NeoDyne CEO Ernesto Diaz is preparing to launch a rocket containing the satellite. Diaz sends Wild Dog, a cyborg assassin, to keep them occupied while he finishes his work. Despite generous amounts of assistance, Dog is defeated and chooses to commit suicide via explosives rather than surrender. Diaz takes Christie hostage and makes his way up to the launch controls. He then throws Christie off the side, but Baxter catches her in time. The agents confront Diaz, who initiates the launch sequence before activating the defense system of a prototype satellite to engage them. With precious few seconds on the clock, Martin and Baxter destroy the prototype, sending Diaz falling to his death. Without him to finish the sequence, the rocket malfunctions and explodes. Baxter and Martin are plucked out of the water by Christie and then extracted by the V.S.S.E. just as the rest of the spaceport goes up in flames.

Ghost Squad: Evolution (Arcade)

Ghost Squad Evolution is the arcade followup to the original Ghost Squad. It was developed and published by Sega and released in 2007.

In Ghost Squad: Evolution the player is a member of Alpha Unit, or members of the “Ghost Squad”, an unofficial unit of the anti-terrorist group, Multi-Operation-Program (M.O.P.). Non-playable characters include fellow M.O.P. members consisting of the Commander, who provides radio backup and pertinent advice to the player. Along with the Bravo and Charlie Unit who assist the player in suppressing the terrorist threat.

The rifle can be set from single shot, to 3 burst shot to automatic fire. As well as a special effects to suit the situation Night Vision, Flash Light for the mounted gun, and scope for sniper rifle. The gun also features an action button which is used to pull off special moves like hand to hand combat. As well as recoil effects on every shot fired.

Each mission contains multiple routes for the player to choose. Special events occur throughout the game depending on the route chosen, such as securing hostages, bomb removal, or providing friendly cover fire. The game is broken into 3 missions with 16 total levels. All 16 can be selected from the beginning. There are 14 costumes available for character customization, however, the costumes have no effect on gameplay. There are 25 different weapons.

Ghost Squad (Wii)

Sega published the Polygon Magic developed Wii port of Ghost Squad in Japan on October 25, 2007, and in the U.S. on November 20, 2007. It uses the Wii Zapper as a multi-purpose tool to allow players easy control of targeting enemies, defusing bombs, and detaining hostages.

Ghost Squad takes advantage of the Wii Remote's pointer functionality, the nunchuk, and the Wii Zapper giving players controller flexibility. In addition, the game features a pointer calibration mode, enabling players to use line-of-sight aiming and fire precisely where the Wii Remote is pointed. The player has the option to turn off the on-screen pointer for more points.

Exclusive to the Wii conversion of the game are four-player support, and an online high score leaderboard via the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection.

Reception

Ghost Squad for the Wii received a metascore of 69 on Metacritic. IGN gave it a 7.5, remarking that "most of what made Ghost Squad fun in the arcades is still retained though, as there's a huge emphasis on weapon management and mid-level missions".

In popular culture

The arcade version of the game was shown in an episode of season one of Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations where he and No Reservations co-worker Nari travel to Korea where Nari takes him an arcade while exploring Korea's nightlife with Bourdain commenting that it's his favorite game as activity.

See also

• The House of the Dead 2 & 3 Return

External links

• Official website (available in Japanese or English)