Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex - Official Website

In a world without borders, terrorism knows no limits.

Section 9 are back to give the cyber-terrorists a run for their money. Play as different members of Section 9 to solve the latest terrorist threat. Use Motoko?s agility, Batou?s strength, Togusa?s stealth or Saito?s sniper skills to investigate the mysteries of Berutarbe.

  • Train and customize your Tachikoma ? teach them early on and you?ll reap the rewards as the battles heat up! Add weapons parts and accessories to enhance their abilities.
  • Choose from 51 different weapons; from hand guns to rocket launchers and sub-machine guns
  • Play wirelessly!
  • Hack into enemies or surveillance systems to break down the terrorist cells.
  • Unlock bonus features and items
Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex for the PSP is scheduled for release this October. While we wait for this exciting new release Game Chronicles takes a look at this exciting title with an exclusive GCM interview.

GCM: Thank you for your time! Please get us started by introducing yourself and telling us about the team bringing Stand Alone Complex to the PSP.
Rika Maruya: My name is Rika Maruya, and I am the co-producer at Bandai Games. The development team bringing Ghost in the Shell to the PSP is Sony Japan.

GCM: Will this game be following the plot to the TV series, or the movies, or is this something totally original?
Rika Maruya: The story is original; written exclusively for the PSP, but set along the timeline of Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex 1st GIG (TV anime series).

We have faithfully recreated the Ghost in the Shell world in the first-person view to fully utilize the PSP widescreen. The storyline follows an incident on Niihama that ultimately spreads into the city of Berutarube. The city turns into a battleground involving the government and terrorists. The player will experience an action-filled storyline based on the world of Ghost in the Shell and exciting FPS combat that allows the player to fight alongside a Tachikoma.


GCM: How much of Masamune Shirow's source material was used, if any?
Rika Maruya: We have received feedback and input from Production I.G. regarding every aspect of the game, including characters, background settings, scenarios, game FMV choreography, and sound effects.

GCM: Will we only get to play Major Kusanagi, or will some of the other characters (Togusa, Batoh, et. al) be playable?
Rika Maruya: When playing the game, the player will be able to select from four characters: Motoko, Batou, Saito or Togusa and each character will have specific abilities/powers that are unique to each character.

GCM: Any Tachikoma's?
Rika Maruya: The player will be able to customize their Tachikoma in this game. They will be able to assign various types of parts/weapons/accessories to the Tachikoma.

GCM: If this is based on the TV series, will any of Yoko Kanno's score be used, or will the game contain all original music?
Rika Maruya: The game features original music.

GCM: What was the biggest challenge the designers faced bringing this franchise to a handheld system?
Rika Maruya: With the PSP, the controls become somewhat limited as it lacks the second analog controller as well as the two additional buttons available on the PS2 controller. This being the case, assigning many functions to the buttons available on the PSP was the biggest challenge. Another challenge they faced was recreating the Ghost in the Shell world as accurately as possible.

GCM: Can we expect some more of those amazing animated cut scenes that we saw clear back on the PS1?
Rika Maruya: Yes, the cut scenes featured in this game immerse the player into the world of Ghost in the Shell.

GCM: Will any of the characters have the ability to use thermoptic camo or the ability to hack into other cyberbrains and take control of them?
Rika Maruya: Yes, each character will have special abilities and as a cybernetic entity. Motoko will have the ability to use thermoptic camouflage as well as hack into enemies.

GCM: Will there be any squad combat elements or crime/problem solving elements to the game, as were heavily featured in the films/TV?
Rika Maruya: Ghost in the Shell is an action-based game with squad-based combat that involves giving the Tachikoma commands to fire and move. The title focuses on mission-based FPS gameplay, and the gamer must strategize using features such as weapons, thermoptic camouflage, sight-jacking, to defeat the enemies.

GCM: Can you explain how the multiplayer game will work (co-op, versus, both)?
Rika Maruya: Multiplayer is based on wireless Ad Hoc and features versus and team battles. Versus modes are death match, team death match, Tachikoma battle and Tachikoma team battle.

The player will be able to customize the various features of combat and select from eight stages.


Thank you again for your time! We'll be looking forward to Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex in October.