While the DLC can still be enjoyed as a standalone experience, it is arguably better to go through the base game first in order to get the most out of it. Project_Hel is a worthy companion piece to the base game which adds more content for those who have already played Ghostrunner. While finding these doesn’t present an excessive challenge, the game also provides players with the possibility of equipping a module which will show the positions of all the items in the level. Each of the levels, excluding boss ones, include a set amount of collectibles to find, including audiologs, trinkets and cosmetics. Other than the platforming and combat challenges, Project_Hel also rewards players for exploring all the areas within its levels. However, these puzzles present no challenge due to the lack of enemies in their corresponding areas, mostly serving as a brief respite from the action.
Peppered throughout the levels, a handful of simpler puzzles can also be found, requiring players to position elevators correctly in order to form traversable corridors. While a longer game would likely suffer from this lack of evolution, Project_Hel ’s length allows for it, ending before overstaying its welcome. Instead, the challenge ramps up by presenting harder combat scenarios, with better-positioned enemies, and covered flanks. Throughout the DLC, the gameplay doesn’t evolve much past the earlier part, only providing Hel with more grid slots. Should players manage to make the most out of their grid by leaving certain spots empty, the game will also reward them with three additional effects, further enhancing their skills. These modules will grant powerful bonuses, such as easier rage buildup, larger Surge slashes, etc. Once the player has progressed further into the DLC, Hel will also be able to improve her abilities in a similar fashion to Jack, by placing Tetris-like pieces within a grid. Additionally, should players fill their meter, a temporary shield will appear, protecting them from a single hit before depleting all rage. However, in order to fire it, a certain amount of rage will need to be built up by killing enemies or touching generators, consuming it after the shot. The most important of these is the “Surge” attack, which sees Hel firing a horizontal energy slash capable of activating switches and killing any enemies it touches. This bullet-time also provides players with the ability to strafe to the sides in order to dodge incoming attacks, turning into an immediate dash while on the ground.Īccompanying these abilities, Project_Hel also introduces the rage meter and the skills which rely on it. The main difference comes in her slower movement and more powerful jumps, accompanied by a targeted mid-air dash where players will enter bullet-time while selecting a landing spot. While players will still have to go through platforming and combat challenges, Hel’s move-set somewhat differs from Jack’s. Project_Hel’s gameplay is a variation on the base game’s formula. The only possible issue to be found is the constant repetition of enemy quips, which may become especially grating during bossfights due to the small pool of available phrases. Just like its graphics, the DLC’s sound design is also stellar, featuring a varied techno soundtrack, good sound effects and great voice acting. While the DLC features some new foes, the only truly distinct ones are the two bosses, with the others being merely more than generic goons to slice through. However, due to the expansion’s shorter length, players will spend a large part of their time within similar areas fighting only a handful of different enemies. Similarly the base game, Project_Hel’s features really high quality cyberpunk environments and designs.
Most of the events and characters featured in it will be irrelevant to a newcomer, whilst those with previous experience will recognize them. Despite not being particularly plot heavy, Project_Hel manages to create an entertaining narrative which contextualizes some of the events in the base game, although whether it serves as a standalone story is arguable. The DLC’s story sees players in the shoes of Hel, one of the bosses in Ghostrunner’s main story, as she puts an end to an insurrection within Dharma Tower. Now, slightly under two years later, a prequel DLC has been released. The game soon developed an active speedrun community which has remained active throughout the years. Back in 2020, the action platformer Ghostrunnerwas released to a warm welcome.
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