[New Game] Ghostbusters: Paranormal Blast Lets You Bust AR Ghosts From The Comfort Of Your Couch

Just in time for Halloween election night, the original paranormal investigators are ready for another round on Android. But hold on, would-be busters: this ain't no ordinary mobile cash-in. Ghostbusters: Paranormal Blast is an augmented reality mobile cash-in. The core gameplay is finding ghosts though your smartphone camera (AKA Ecto Goggles), zapping them with your handy dandy nuclear-powered Proton Pack until they're weak enough to catch in a regulation Ghost Trap. For proper ambiance, try to find a high-class but antique hotel, or an abandoned firehouse.

The more interesting bit comes from the game's integration with Google Maps: calls for ghostbusting come from real addresses in your area, as if you were a Ghostbusters, Inc. local franchise. Of course, you don't have to actually go to the addresses to play; the ghosts just appear wherever you happen to be. Your captured baddies are stored in a vault for you to observe later. Clear out an area and you can battle the Stay-Puft Marshmallow Man (though for some reason, you can't cross the streams).

Ghostbusters: Paranormal Blast is $1.99. Not bad, considering its abundance of in-universe jokes and quasi-localized content. Too bad it's got an in-app payment system: all objectives earn you petty cash and "buster bucks." Upgrading your equipment uses cash, but you can by convert Buster Bucks into cash at about a 1:5 ratio. In-app purchases through Google Play are expensive, at about $1 per 200. Boo. I thought the Ghostbusters were supposed to be broke - with this kind of payroll, they could afford an address on 34th.