Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex

 PSP
  • Publisher: Bandai
  • Release Date: Oct 26, 2005
Metascore
61

Mixed or average reviews - based on 23 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 3 out of 23
  2. Mixed: 19 out of 23
  3. Negative: 1 out of 23
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  1. Play Magazine
    85
    Precise aiming on the run is a little dicey on the PSP, and the loading times can be extraneous, but it's a small price to pay to get Motoko and company into your mobile unit. [Oct 2005]
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  2. Worth Playing
    82
    While skill development is not required to enjoy Standalone Complex, the brainy customization options leave a lot of room for experimentation and, thus, lots of fun for those tired of the all-too simplistic action of "Coded Arms."
  3. Times Online
    80
    Crisp graphics and sound effects make this a fun game to play, while the voices, provided by the cast of the TV series, add credibility.
  5. GameBrink
    73
    The game's missions were designed with portability in mind and the longest of them would only take an average person around 15-20 minutes to complete. Although with the short single-play, a long lasting multiplayer experience is always there waiting, granted you know a few other people with a copy of the game as well.
  6. Official U.S. Playstation Magazine
    70
    Holy Crap! Someone actually made an FPS game on teh PSP work. [Dec 2005, p.139]
  7. PSX Extreme
    70
    This may indeed be the best FPS game on the PSP, but compared to the vast multitude of other FPSes available for the PlayStation 2 and other consoles, it's merely passable.
  8. My Gamer
    70
    I was attracted to SAC for its style and potential, but with flawed controls and lackluster graphics, I was sorely disappointed. GITS never comes out its shell and remains just another shooter.
  9. Gamer's Hell
    69
    Stand Alone Complex may have proved to be a success on the home console market, but it feels oddly fractured on the PSP, suffering from its own shameless sense of self-importance while failing to provide any opportunistic innovation to a fairly blank and open genre canvas.
  10. Game Chronicles
    68
    Casual shooters would be better off waiting for the next attempt at this genre or even better, check out "Coded Arms," another take on the FPS genre that offers a better, but somewhat repetitive solo game, and a much more engaging multiplayer component.
  11. IGN
    62
    The gameplay isn't smart, the customizing RPG elements aren't very complex, and the story isn't presented with the kind of flair that Shirow Masamune's manga has inspired in film, on TV, or even in previous videogames.
  12. PALGN
    60
    The controls aren't the only problem though, the linear gameplay, poor story and repetitive levels really bog this game down.
  13. GameSpot
    59
    Sluggish controls and lifeless gameplay make Ghost in the Shell worth playing only for loyal fans of the anime, and even then it isn't worth more than a rental.
  14. netjak
    58
    Given the medium, that this is about as good as an FPS can be done on the PSP. (Aside from the retarded Tachikoma, and the ugly versions of the characters.) Which is to say, that nobody should ever, EVER make another FPS on the PSP. This game is proof of why it will never work.
    All this publication's reviews
  15. GameZone
    58
    I must say if you are looking for a decent action game you'd be better off with "SOCOM;" this ghost just has no legs.
  16. PSM Magazine
    55
    Only the truly hardcore are going to be enthralled. [Holiday 2005, p.94]
    All this publication's reviews
  17. Game Informer
    55
    I want to strangle this game with my bare hands. [Dec 2005, p.186]
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  18. Gaming Age
    50
    Though the game offers four playable characters, there was only one instance I felt advantaged by my chosen character's skill. For the most part, each character feels just like the next, the biggest difference being the shift in dialog during cutscenes.
  19. GameSpy
    50
    With a lame story and boring gameplay, I got tired of Ghost in the Shell Standalone Complex in a hurry. There's also a noticeable lack of polish, with things like maps and clear objective descriptors being absent.
  20. Gamezilla!
    50
    The plot is decent and falls in line with the complicated show, but the gameplay and in-game graphics easily slip below the acceptable line.
  21. DarkStation
    50
    While the anime was outstanding, the video game port massively disappoints us with its frustrating controls, repetitive environments and lackluster combat.
  22. Computer and Video Games
    50
    With some lacklustre mission design (shoot enemies, find keycode, go through door, repeat) and an even flatter multiplayer mode, Ghost in the Shell feels like a wasted opportunity like "Coded Arms" before it. [PSW]
  23. Official Playstation 2 Magazine UK
    50
    Hampered by unsuitable controls and a total lack of design flair, Stand Alone Complex is average through and through. [Apr 2006, p.96]
    All this publication's reviews
  24. Modojo
    40
    The variety of missions is helpful, but stealth missions become increasingly maddening, and when you're trying to "save" someone, it ends up being more of a daunting task than you expected.

Awards & Rankings

62
#62 Best PSP Game of 2005
49
#49 Most Discussed PSP Game of 2005
22
#22 Most Shared PSP Game of 2005

User Reviews

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User Score
8.0

Generally favorable reviews- based on 19 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 15 out of 19
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 19
  3. Negative: 3 out of 19
  1. Mattiator
    May 21, 2015
    6
    A shooter with plenty of unique ideas, but it stumbles in the execution and due to platform limitations. There are multiple playableA shooter with plenty of unique ideas, but it stumbles in the execution and due to platform limitations. There are multiple playable characters with unique stats and dialog, a huge bevy of weapons from twin pistols and SMGs up to machineguns and anti-material rifles. The real star of the show here, though, are the Tachikoma robots that accompany you into almost all levels. Effectively a customizable, heavily-armored and armed guard dog with the personality of a curious puppy, the Tachikoma will follow you through levels taking on enemies, and can be given commands (order it to traverse an area hunting enemies, hold fire, guard an area, or just have it stick to you like glue and obliterate everything that tries to attack you). Or, if you're finding an enemy gauntlet tricky, just hop inside with the touch of a button and mow down everything from safety inside the cockpit. You can also go invisible once per level and sneak past enemies for a brief time, even in the robot! Useful for sneak attacks and hostage rescues. With all this potential depth, it's a shame that most of the levels are small, simple run-and-guns with little room for actual strategizing, probably due to the limited power of the handheld. This also probably explains the load times after every few minutes of gameplay. Controls are also a potential problem, with the analog stick being unavailable for aiming which would have made precise gunplay much more viable. Even with a quick lock-on button to make targetting easier, you'll find that the rapid-fire weapons are far more useful than pretty much everything else. By the end of the game I was just taking three of the biggest machinegun into every mission and gunning down everything with little trouble. The story's not up to the TV show's levels, but it does the job. Music also is a good blend of techno, heck, there's even a vocal song in there. Tracks tend to get re-used between levels, but they're good enough and the game's short, so it isn't much of an issue. Graphically, the game isn't a stunner, but everything's clear and looks the part of the show it's based on. Overall, while it isn't the criminally overlooked masterpiece the user reviews might have you believe, for cheap it's definitely worth a shot, especially for fans of the show.… Full Review »
  2. Bustergundam4
    Jan 11, 2012
    10
    This game was fun.For fans of the anime,this game is portable and versatile and will provide players with the same voice acting and qualityThis game was fun.For fans of the anime,this game is portable and versatile and will provide players with the same voice acting and quality like the anime and can compliment it's PS2 counterpart.Overall,this game will hook you and keep you playing till the end. Bandai keep up the good work!! 10/10… Full Review »
  3. Tuivel
    Apr 7, 2011
    9
    A fun first person shooter, varying missions, lots of weapons, an interesting story told with lots of cutscenes and good voice acting. TheA fun first person shooter, varying missions, lots of weapons, an interesting story told with lots of cutscenes and good voice acting. The Tachikoma Robot that can be comanded and even piloted by the player is a nice addition not commonly found in other games of this genre. Use of cover, caution, stealth and the right choice of weapons will get the job done. Charging in with guns blazing will usually get you killed quickly unless you are piloting your heavily armed & armored Tachikoma buddy. Graphics are nice, (gun) sounds could have been done a bit better. Controls are ok (game is playable even without auto-aim) I liked it, and i'm not a fan of the anime :-)… Full Review »
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