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Yes—you can try Google’s official archive listing for The Great Ghoul Duel, a family-friendly Halloween game in which teams race to collect ghostly flames. Google’s archive still includes a Play link, but that does not confirm that live matches or matchmaking work today in every region.
How to try The Great Ghoul Duel
- Open Google’s Halloween 2022 Doodle archive page.
- Choose the page’s Play link and see whether the game loads and offers a match. The archived listing is an official route to try; live server availability is not verified.
- If the game loads, follow its on-screen options to start or invite others. Google’s description says its game could be hosted for up to seven friends and family with a custom invitation link, or played with randomized people; that historical description is not a guarantee those modes are currently active.
What happens in the game?
Players join teams of four and collect wandering spirit flames, then bring them back to their team’s base. Each round lasts two minutes, and the team with the most flames when time runs out wins. Opponents can intercept flames while a player carries them home, so gathering is only part of the race.
Google’s 2018 description also mentions special powers such as speed boosts and night vision for leading collectors, plus end-of-match performance superlatives. Google says the 2022 sequel introduced new characters, maps, and power-ups.
What changed between the 2018 and 2022 games?
| Version | What Google’s archive describes |
|---|---|
| 2018 original | Google’s first multiplayer interactive game Doodle; teams collect spirit flames in two-minute rounds. The page also mentions special powers and end-of-match superlatives. |
| 2022 sequel | A sequel with new characters, maps, and power-ups; it retains the two-minute flame-collection objective and spirit interception. |
The archive pages do not establish that either edition is more available or reliable now. Google Cloud engineer Jacob Howcroft wrote in 2023 that multiplayer Doodles generally received “many millions” of plays while on the homepage and that the archive regularly saw “thousands of games played each day” after a Doodle’s homepage run. Those figures describe Doodle games generally, not The Great Ghoul Duel specifically.
#1 Best Overall
- Take The Shape of Evil: Target, stalk, and terrorize the residents of Haddonfield as the iconic Michael Myers.
- Become a Hero of Haddonfield: Arm yourself with weapons and everyday household items to fend off the impending evil, alert the authorities, and rescue the innocent families of Haddonfield.
- Experience the Ultimate Horror Sandbox: An expansive array of dynamic map features, distinct gameplay systems, life-like NPC interactions, and player abilities elevates the horror sandbox like never before.
- Singleplayer Slashing: Immerse yourself in the haunting narrative events of "The Night He Came Home" through the eyes of Michael Myers in a standalone singleplayer story.
- Elevated Asymmetrical Multiplayer: Cooperate with up to four players as the Heroes of Haddonfield and face off against the one and only Michael Myers in unpredictable multiplayer matches unfolding within a living, breathing game world.
Is it still online?
Google’s 2022 archive page and 2018 archive page remain available and include Play links. That confirms an archived listing, not that Google’s game servers currently accept players. The available sources do not establish a current server-status figure or a title-specific player count, so treat a successful launch as something to check rather than expect.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- ORIGINAL GOOSEBUMPS STORY – Experience a brand-new Goosebumps mystery, crafted exclusively for the game. Encounter fresh terrors inspired by the book series while uncovering the unsettling truths hidden within the town of Little Creek.
- SUSPENSEFUL EXPLORATION – Traverse the fog-filled streets of Little Creek, creep through abandoned theaters, and sneak through dark libraries teeming with secrets. Every shadow hides a new spooky surprise waiting to be uncovered.
- MYSTERIOUS CHALLENGES – Test your wits with mind-bending puzzles, interactive contraptions, and clever riddles that stand between you and the truth behind Little Creek’s supernatural happenings.
- STAY ONE STEP AHEAD OF LURKING THREATS! Use stealth and cunning to evade terrifying monsters or fight back using your trusty slingshot and the help of a haunted book you’ve discovered.
- MONSTERS OF THE UNKNOWN – Face a dreadful roster of monsters, inspired by classic Goosebumps frights but reimagined for an all-new nightmare-filled experience. Survive their relentless pursuit and uncover their dark origins.
Rank #4
- Includes eight chilling effects on one DVD with multiple display modes; WANDERING HORDE, UNEXPECTED GUEST, BROKEN BARRICADES and ZOMBIE FEAST
- PLASTER DISASTER: Ravenous zombies punch and claw their way through a plaster wall
- ZOMBIE SHADOWS: Shadowy clusters of zombies loom behind frosted glass
- Includes four chilling effects on one DVD; Each effect can feature any of the three characters: the seductive debutante, the stern-featured gentleman or the creepy little girl
Rank #3
- A 1 vs Many game by renowned designer Emerson Matsuuchi.
- Focus on hidden movement mechanics and escaping as a bystander, or hunting them down as Mike Myers!
Rank #2
- Go to Hell: Journey into worlds where nightmares manifest, filled with treacherous landscapes and unspeakable horrors. Overcome obstacles, enemies, and bosses that lay in your path to save yourself from eternal damnation!
- Retro Aesthetic: Immerse yourself in pixelart-styled 16-bit visuals and a hauntingly nostalgic horror soundtrack. RetroRealms pays homage to classic side-scrollers while delivering a fresh take on retro gameplay
- Secrets, Upgrades, and Unlockables: Discover hidden relics and collectibles. Unlock new power-ups and abilities to enhance your character’s skills and discover all-new ways to play
- See where you Stand: With leaderboards for both “Halloween” and “Ash vs Evil Dead” you can see how you stack up against other RetroRealms players. Do you have skills to get your name on the high score list?
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