Great Ghoul Duel is Google’s first-ever multiplayer interactive Doodle game, originally released on October 30, 2018, to celebrate Halloween. It’s a fast-paced team battle where two squads of cartoon ghosts compete to collect the most spirit flames before time runs out. Think capture-the-flag meets Pac-Man with a spooky twist.
The game puts you on either the green team (Jade, Sage, Kelly, Olive) or the purple team (Plum, Periwinkle, Iris, Mulberry) — each ghost named after shades of their team colour. You and three teammates race around spooky maps collecting glowing blue spirit flames, then rush back to your base to bank them before opponents steal them. Here’s the catch: collected flames trail behind you like a tail, and enemy ghosts can swipe them by passing through your trail. The longer your tail, the bigger the target on your back.
Google built the game using their Cloud Platform and Open Match, an open-source matchmaking framework they co-developed with Unity. This allowed players worldwide to connect instantly for quick two-minute matches. You can play with random strangers or host a private game and invite up to seven friends via a custom link.
The game returned in 2022 with new features including additional maps, more ghost characters (Emerald, Moss, Mauve, and Amethyst), achievements to unlock, and hat costumes to earn. Both versions feature the same addictive core gameplay that made the original so popular.
As you bank more flames, you unlock powerful abilities in order: Speed Boost lets you zoom past enemies. Night Vision clears the darkness around you. Magnetism automatically draws nearby flames toward you. Walk Through Walls lets you phase through obstacles and access hidden areas. These power-ups can completely turn the tide of a match.
How To Play Great Ghoul Duel
Use arrow keys or drag with your mouse to move your ghost around the map. On mobile, tap and drag in the direction you want to go.
Collect the blue spirit flames scattered across the map. They’ll trail behind you as you gather more.
Return to your team’s home base to bank your collected flames and add them to your team’s score.
Watch your back — opponents can steal your flames by touching your trail. You can steal theirs the same way.
The team with the most banked spirit flames when the two-minute timer ends wins. Don’t get greedy with long trails; making frequent trips back to base is often safer than risking a big haul.