Luigi’s Mansion • Who you gonna call?
Premiere of the Gamecube, second solo outing of the green brother, first entry in a curious but cultastic series – Luigi’s Mansion (2001) is the one and only horror IP of Nintendo, and an intriguing contribution to the genre at that. Admittedly, my review of the game may perhaps be influenced slightly by the fact that this game was equally magical and terrifying as the only horror game I was allowed to play at the tender age of seven years old. Nevertheless, as a grown, totally-not scaredy-cat man of twenty-two, I will endeavour to remain as impartial as possible.
It’s what he deserves
Simply put, the story of Luigi’s Mansion sees Luigi following a map to his ‘new mansion’ that he unexpectedly won in a competition… that he never entered. SpooOoOOoky. As it turns out, the mansion is actually owned by the villainous King Boo who has conspired the entire set-up to lure both Mario and Luigi into his lair as revenge for all the plans that the Mario brothers have foiled in the past. It soon becomes apparent that Mario has been kidnapped and trapped into a painting and that the only way Luigi can save Mario is with the help of a kooky old scientist and a vacuum cleaner. A nightmare of slapstick, spooks, and spectres soon ensues for the cowardly Luigi… and deservedly too for falling for this classically simple Nintendo plot.
The gameplay sucks
Literally. Combat is based around Luigi’s Poltergust 3000, a vacuum cleaner, Ghostbusters styled machine used to suck up ghosts. Ghosts have health meters that range in size depending on minion or boss level of the spectre, but the real fun of the combat comes from the ways that ghosts will scramble away from the pull of the vacuum and drag Luigi around with him. Many of the ghosts will fight back, but most require some low-level puzzling skills and dodging (shuffling around in Luigi’s case) to reveal the character’s weaknesses. After some exploration and key locating, ala Resident Evil, Luigi will also find some fire and ice powerups to add another dimension to the game’s puzzles. The game poses very little challenge as a children’s game, but its draw is certainly in its varied and engaging collection of spirits that guide the core gameplay and its fantastic atmosphere.
E. Gadd! Frights galore!
This game is haunting. Helmed by developers Grezzo, this entry is unique in the series as having a comparatively gothic and muted aesthetic than the cartoonish and colourful stylings of future entries by other developers. Many of the rooms are cast in darkness prior to Luigi’s excorsision, and it’s here that the atmosphere shines. The in-game usage of the torch is not only practical, but also enhances the space by casting long spindly shadows that work in conjunction with the low light of fires and glowing ghosts. From time to time lightning will strike too, causing Luigi to jump and certainly inducing panic from players fearing a surprise ghost attack (which this game is prone to doing). Tieing everything together is a cartoonishly creepy soundtrack that keeps the game from straying into anything too scary for children, but also keeps adults entranced with its hypnotic ostinatos.
Picture almost perfect
All in all, Luigi’s Mansion is an entertaining adventure, child-friendly, horror-themed game that oozes atmosphere, creativity, and risk-factor (from a publisher perspective). It’s marred by its relatively short playtime, lack of multiple gameplay modes, and relatively simple mechanics. In saying that, the charm and prospect of completing the game faster and faster each round of playthrough is a nice reason to come back to it from time to time. Three and a half Cthulhus out of five. More to be read here.
(3.5 / 5)
Gaming
Lovecraft Meets Junji Ito in WORLD OF HORROR
WORLD OF HORROR is a cosmic horror roguelite game developed by Paweł Koźmiński and published by Ysbryd Games.
WORLD OF HORROR is a cosmic horror roguelite game developed by Paweł Koźmiński and published by Ysbryd Games. The game is available on macOS, Windows, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, and PlayStation 5. This review will cover the Steam (Windows) version of the game.
You must explore the strange goings on around Shiokawa, Japan. It appears that eldritch forces have influenced the town in incomprehensible ways. So, attempt to comprehend these forces and maintain your sanity to save the town. Plan your investigations, choose between cases, and fight for your life.
There are a few game modes but three difficulty spikes. The easiest is a specific case with some random events. This mode teaches you the basic mechanics of the game. The harder difficulties give you access to an apartment and choices on which case you investigate. Completing objectives earns you customization options for the customized mode.
What I Like About WORLD OF HORROR
Running on GameMaker Studios, the pixelated aesthetic shows influences from Lovecraft and Junji Ito, though the latter more so than the former. WORLD OF HORROR haunts its viewers with its aesthetic, allowing the pixels to evoke those horror legends.
Random generation remains a key feature of the game, with various options and choices giving a massive variety. Your character also has some limited customization to access perks and further development. I will bring up some weaknesses later, but it is surprisingly vast. Adding to this variety, WORLD OF HORROR provides mod accessibility.
The combat allows for a great deal of thought and planning. You select your character’s actions within an action bar and perform the tasks (or combos) to beat an opponent. This JRPG style provides variety in action that makes it engaging and unique.
The random generation and variety make each playthrough different. You might acquire a devastating katana in one playthrough only to bleed out unceremoniously in another.
While not a terrifying gaming experience, WORLD OF HORROR strives to provide an eerie and intense experience. At this, the game is a success. The weird and unnerving collide to invest the player in this strange world.
Tired Tropes and Triggers
Body horror deserves a mention, but the aesthetic and pixels doesn’t particularly evoke realism. Regardless, many designs evoke body horror.
Aside from this, here are some points of consideration. First, WORLD OF HORROR uses JRPG turn-based combat, which seems a point of division among some gamers. However, there are enough interesting mechanics and complexities beyond clicking an action and waiting your turn.
Second, WORLD OF HORROR isn’t a cult detective. You’re experiencing events and choosing how your character responds. Some sage wisdom I heard for WORLD OF HORROR is to focus on the whole campaign instead of a single case. Failing a case isn’t a game over, so prioritize your character’s longevity.
What I Dislike About WORLD OF HORROR
Only a few issues hindered my experience. Some scenarios replay on a single case, let alone a playthrough, which becomes repetitive. Some scenarios have multiple solutions to add variety or require perks to access new options, but that’s not always true. This issue makes the randomization taxing at times.
This next issue is likely a bug or an oversight. After losing my reason (sanity), I found myself still able to investigate despite the game claiming that means death. An unrelated event finished me off, but I can’t help but assume this is a bug.
Final Thoughts
WORLD OF HORROR has its quirks but earns massive replay value and surprising depth. It’s a unique and ambitious indie title worth the price. If Junji Ito’s style or cosmic horror is your particular brand of horror, WORLD OF HORROR delivers an experience you’ll likely enjoy. Though this combination synergizes well, few games combine these elements successfully.
(4.5 / 5)
Step into the mind-bending world of Eldritch Automata as we sit down with Game Designer Nick Francia at GenCon 2024!
Uncover the secrets behind this Lovecraftian mecha-masterpiece and get a glimpse of what’s to come.
In this exclusive interview, Nick Francia shares:
• The intricate game development process • Inspirations behind the eerie Lovecraftian elements
• Unique mecha-infused gameplay mechanics Calling all Lovecraft fans! Dive into a world where eldritch horrors meet steam-powered marvels.
Eldritch Automata promises an unforgettable gaming experience that will keep you on the edge of your seat.
👉 Ready to embrace the madness? Check out our playable demo at a con near you! #EldritchAutomata #GenCon2024 #LovecraftianGaming #IndieGameDev
Prepare for a spine-chilling experience as Jim Phoenix delves into the shadows with Trick or Treat Studios at GenCon 2024!
In this exclusive interview, we uncover the terrifying secrets behind their latest bone-chilling creations: “House of 1000 Corpses” and “Halloween II” board games.
These games aren’t just about rolling dice – they’re about immersing yourself in the blood-curdling atmosphere of beloved horror films. With unique survival (and kill!) horror mechanics and cooperative gameplay, you’ll feel the terror coursing through your veins with every move!
But wait, there’s more! With the Kickstarter to House of 1000 Corpses shipping soon, we have an in-depth review coming up for that game, Halloween II–AND…Chucky. BOOMMM!!!
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Kristin Cleaves
March 9, 2020 at 11:58 am
My kids love this game and the sequels! It’s definitely a departure for the Mario franchise.