Buffy looked at Spike askance. She couldn't believe he accidentally uttered the old "Ghostbusters" catchphrase from 1984.

"God," Spike mumbled, "that phrase is never gonna be usable again, is it?"

"Doubt it," Buffy said.

Sadly -- or happily, if you're a "Ghostbusters" fan -- that phrase has been resurrected big time for a brand-new "Ghostbusters" game.

The game has been, among our gaming classes, one of the most anticipated events of 2009. Why? Because gamers grew up on "Ghostbusters." Because Bill Murray, our best, living comedic actor, is in it. Because we had seen preview clips showing how true-to-the-films the game is.

And because two writer-stars from "Ghostbusters," Harold Ramis and Dan Aykroyd, co-wrote the game's hefty script as a sort of third entry in the film series -- even though they are also making a third film, "Ghostbusters III," set for release in 2012. Yes, 2012.

The game does feel like a playable movie. You can't say that of many movie-based games. You watch long, cinematic cut scenes, where the original characters (voiced by the original actors) crack jokes. And unlike most games, the jokes don't all serve the plot, but they also wonderfully define the characters.

In an early scene, Murray deadpans: "I'm not taking the stairs. Today's not my cardio day."

At many moments like that, "Ghostbusters" shines as a unique example of how to integrate film and gaming, and here's how: Hire the best writers to write dialogue and plot before, during and after the action. And hire rare talents such as Murray to deliver the lines. Expensive? Probably. But effective.

Unfortunately, the game play is not as good as the cinema. It's just good enough to play to get to the film parts.

You portray a new recruit on the "Ghostbusters" team, using your plasma gun to shoot, subdue and trap slimy ghosts (creative ghosts, such as the ones shaped like chandeliers, because they've inhabited chandeliers).

This action can be fun at times, since your plasma gun rips up walls, chairs, cars, tablecloths and almost anything else that gets in your gun's way.

But here, busting ghosts can feel repetitive after a while. And ghosts often escape, then you must wear dumb goggles to find them, and I just want to kill some ghosts, already.

So, I revere the incredible craftsmanship, and Murray, and the very funny script. But the gaming is not nearly addictive.

Honestly, "Ghostbusters" most reminds me of the first "Buffy the Vampire" game, because I loved that game with the heat of a thousand stars, being a "Buffy" fanatic, yet that game, as well, valued the experience of wit and character of a familiar narrative over tight game play.

So although it's refreshing to experience a playable movie, a game still must be, above all else, super fun to interact with. If you want a second opinion, I don't know who ya gonna call.

("Ghostbusters: The Video Game" by Atari retails for $60 for PS 3 and Xbox 360; $40 for Wii; $30 for PC, DS; $20 for PS 2 -- Plays OK in the game play, but great if you're a "Ghostbusters" fanatic. Looks quite good. Challenging. Rated "T" for comic mischief, fantasy violence, mild language. Three stars out of four.)

What do you think? Tell me at delfman@reviewjournal.com, or post your reviews and rants at reviewjournal.com/elfman.