Ghost Trick: Phantom Detective Demo Is a Short But Sweet Taste of a Cult Classic | Push Square

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After bringing the beloved Phoenix Wright Trilogy and Great Ace Attorney Chronicles to PlayStation, it only seemed right for Capcom to follow them up with Shu Takumi's lesser-known work. Ghost Trick: Phantom Detective, originally released on Nintendo DS in 2010, is the definition of a cult classic. Held in very high regard by critics and fans, it's now been given the remaster treatment, soon to be released on modern consoles. We were fortunate enough to gain early access to the playable demo which, while short, is enough to get us excited to finally experience the full game for ourselves.

For those who don't know, Ghost Trick shares a lot of DNA with the Ace Attorney series. Part visual novel and part point-and-click adventure, it's far from the most challenging game, but what it lacks in action it makes up for with its intriguing scenarios and colourful characters. You play as Sissel, a man who has just been killed. In the realm of the dead, he's forgotten everything about his life, but he soon learns about some special new abilities that can help him solve his very own murder mystery.

The game's title refers to 'tricks' Sissel can pull off in his spectral form. Possess certain objects in the environment, and you'll be given the option to activate a trick. For example, strumming the strings on a guitar, or extending a ladder. Using these objects is one thing, but getting to them can at times be a puzzle in itself; you can only possess items within your reach. You'll need to use these tricks to both navigate and interact with the land of the living and, ultimately, get to the bottom of what's going on and why Sissel was killed.

The character's agency in the real world is limited, and it's neatly mirrored in the gameplay.