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Play OverviewPlay Overview

Ghost Trick: Phantom Detective (2010) is a narrative brain game where you play a murdered detective's ghost who can stop time to solve crimes. You move around by inhabiting objects and possessing corpses to alter the scene and change what happens to find out how you died. It stands out not only for the unusual premise but the humourous characters and clever puzzles.

You see a single bullet end your life. But this is just the start of the mystery. You wake up as a ghost with no memory of what happened before you were shot and have until sunrise to solve the murder. To do this you must move around the different locations by possessing and manipulating objects. In this way, you work through brainteasing puzzles to discover the humourous story of what happened.

The result became a cult classic when it was originally released. The creator of the Ace Attorney series offers a new kind of detective mystery with more focus on puzzles and less on courtroom drama. The puzzles are mind-bending to solve, but it’s the unique way of gaining first-hand insight into the overarching narrative, by living through the eyes of the strong range of characters, that makes the game stand out.

Our examiner, Ellen Robertson, first checked Ghost Trick: Phantom Detective 4 years ago. It was re-examined by Thom Robertson and updated 8 weeks ago.
Kids not old enough for this yet? There are lots of games similar to Ghost Trick: Phantom Detective. Here are some similar younger-rated games:

Play StylePlay Style

This is a Brain Game and Narrative game with Adventure, Puzzle, Sequencing and Traversal elements. This is a single-player game.

 
You can play this game in the following styles:

DurationDuration

Play Time: This game will take between 12 and a half hours and 17 hours to complete.

Age RatingsAge Ratings

Content Rating

Rated PEGI 12 for moderate violence. This game features moderate violence involving human characters. However, the violence is presented in a non-realistic manner. For example, when characters are shot, the screen turns black before the bullet impacts. A dog is run over by a motorbike but with no blood or gore. The game also includes use of the terms 'hell' and 'damn'.

Rated for younger players in Australia. Rated Parental Guidance (PG) for Mild Violence and Themes.

Skill Level

9+ year-olds usually have the required skill to enjoy this game. Still, it's important for parents and guardians to consider the maturity required to process the game content. It's also important to ensure children understand in-game purchases and have spending limits set-up. You need to be able to discover detailed elements in the environment to help solve puzzles. You also need to be able to pay attention and understand both the behaviour and dialogue of the characters.

CostsCosts

Ghost Trick: Phantom Detective usually costs £16.90 to £24.99. 

Ghost Trick: Phantom Detective

XBox StoreSALE Xbox One £24.98 £12.49 until 18/02/2025
XBox StoreSALE PC £24.98 £12.49 until 18/02/2025
Switch Store Switch £24.98
Steam Store PC £24.98
PlayStation Store PS4 £24.99
App Store iOS £16.90
There are the following additional costs associated with this game:
  • In-Game Purchases: Additional in-game purchases are offered for items that enhance the experience.
 
You can play the first two chapters for free on iOS but then need to purchase the following chapters in groups of 5 for £4.99 or all chapters for £9.99. For the DS game, you pay once for the whole game, although it is often more expensive due to second-hand scarcity. 
 
It's important to set up your accounts and devices appropriately. More information is on our Financial Resources page.
 

DetailsGame Details

Release Date: 19/06/2010, updated in 2023

Price: 50% Off

Out Now: DS, PC, PS4, Switch, Xbox One and iOS

Skill Rating: 9+ year-olds

Players: 1

Genres: Brain Game, Narrative (Adventure, Puzzle, Sequencing and Traversal)

Accessibility: 0 features documented (Tweet Developer )

Components: 2D Side-On and Pixels

Developer: Capcom USA (@CapcomUSA_)


Taming Gaming Book Written by parents for parents, the database complements the in-depth discussion about video game addiction, violence, spending and online safety in the Taming Gaming book. We are an editorially independent, free resource without adverts that is supported by partnerships.

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