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[Isisius]

So i was enjoying the game when i started playing it.
I didnt love the "Ghosts that move while you dont" enemies, but they werent too bad and the dodging bullets and attacks stuff was fun.

I hired a guy during the first act, and for me thats made the ghosts go from annoying to making the game no longer fun (for me personally, your own experience may differ).

Managing two characters, bullets everywhere, the environment, and melee enemies chasing you is already a lot.
Having to do that for two people while ghosts move towards you

Is the game balanced around one character? Or is it balanced around a party?
I didnt mind the "think quick" mechanic with one person, but with two, ive lost interest.

[Ixzine]

The game is generally balanced around being solo. (Though, you'll probably wanna develop a strong gameplan for your upgrade build... and if you run into a brick wall use items).

The Ghosts are certainly the big reason to turn down optional Party Members, since they turn the extra mental strain into more active of a detriment. Also, optional party members are no where near as powerful as a main character built correctly. They're mainly just nice to have for managing your MC's positioning and Magia better (or if you want more dialogue between traveling companions!), but you don't need them.

If you're stuck with a party member in combats you don't want to micro them, don't be afraid to just throw their turns away (spam an ability, or hit Wait) and focus on your MC's turns.

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I believe (but I don't know for sure) your Guilt level affects how many ghosts you have to deal with. Therefore, if you do a "Low Guilt Run," you'll encounter less.

Furthermore, I'm pretty sure Guilt level is tied to a specific character. There's multiple main characters. So, if you get through Tizo's chapter, you will have a "blank slate" to work with.

If it makes you feel better, I believe the developers have playtested and understand that Multiple Characters PLUS Ghosts is very strenuous: There is a later chapter where you play as 2 characters and they start with ZERO (0) Guilt, so you don't have to deal with ghosts at all as them. At least, so far. That's the chapter I'm on right now.

[Isisius]

Thanks for the info mate, appreciate it.

I found the story itself to be quite compelling, although occasionally im not sure why i was getting guilt. I dont feel bad all for killing a bunch of murdering bandits just because they werent the ones to burn that specific village, so why does my tough as nails MC feel bad about it lol.

[Fayer]

Don't want to derail the conversation and we might come back and have some discussions about this but for now I just want to say that an "assist mode" is coming that would allow you to turn off ghosts or do other stuff to make combats whatever you want them to be, for maximum flexibility.

[Ixzine]

Originally posted by Fayer:

Don't want to derail the conversation and we might come back and have some discussions about this but for now I just want to say that an "assist mode" is coming that would allow you to turn off ghosts or do other stuff to make combats whatever you want them to be, for maximum flexibility.

Oh that's awesome! Actually if you're going to add in an option to turn off Ghosts, it might be more ideal for some players, to be able to force them to behave like normal enemies (not moving in the planning phase). Optionally of course.

REGARDLESS I'm happy to hear Arco's getting that kind of settings menu, I think it's great for indie games nowadays.

[Kapitein Gnapmans]

Yeah the ghosts are definitely not fun when you have a companion. The "act fast" idea just breaks because the character won't move, if you haven't already given a command to the other guy. That just doesn't feel right.

Lore wise it also doesn't seem to make sense, maybe they should all have their own ghosts. That could even solve both problems, if the ghost only moves when its character is selected.

[ZIBBIDYZOBBIDY]

Might be a bit of a minority here but after playing a couple times through and going for high guilt runs; I kind of like my economy and play style getting messed with. I could spend the time to win a fight with no damage but tanking a ghost hit to make sure I'm efficient with my moves seems to make me better for the next run.
Once im far enough in a character i generally have enough fish, food, or money to stay healthy after the extra damage. I find the wraith shrooms to be similar (especially with Itzae since i go for jump 3 and explosives early for them) and after discovering mouse ghosts i look forward to actually trying for the high guilt achievement when it's implemented
Hell the devs could even have a "start with higher guilt" mode that really amps up that difficulty, maybe even some obelisk/medallion style perks based around ghosts during the run

Overall i'd just say keep playing the game, maybe do some save scumming and you'll eventually stop hating them and instead just consider them a fact of life like walking down the street and occasionally having to inhale some motorcycle/diesel exhaust edit:(not saying that should be the norm btw, most of us have seen how this game goes and how it applies to the petroleum based future we live in, and some people like the smell of gasoline but I be covering my nose with my shirt)