Now that I'm on summer break from school, it gives me time to do so many things like blogging, reading, writing, painting, and... (my temptation) video games.
As you know, I've recently been addicted to a Nintendo 3DS game called Luigi's Mansion: Dark Moon.
Now I know what you're thinking: Why not review the Luigi's Mansion game before reviewing this one? Yeah, but since the Nintendo Gamecube is becoming more and more obsolete compared to the 3DS, I find it hard to buy the original game without having to look it up on ebay or do some digging on the Internet. However, I'm more familiarized with this video game. So I'm reviewing it anyways.
So here's the story: King Boo is up to no good again by destroying the dark moon into pieces. Apparently, the dark moon keeps everything paranormal in check; but with all of its pieces taken by King Boo's evil minions, all the ghosts run around in chaos, haunting every old building in a place called Evershade Valley.
Luigi, Mario's brother, is summoned by an old guy named Professor E. Gadd...
-Oh boy, about this guy:
1. First of all, Professor E. Gadd looks like a mix between the Keebler elf and Dr. Insano from the Channel Awesome realm.
2. Second, telling by his secret base and all the technology he surrounds himself with...
Are we still trying to parody the Bat Cave from the Batman series? I mean, we already have a kids' show that's parodying Batman.
I guess parodying Batman is still popular?
3. Just think of Professor E. Gadd like if Jack Jack (The Incredibles) grew up and did nothing but invent things and sit around next to a computer for a living. Oh, and by the way, The Incredibles may have ripped off this professor's hairstyle.
4. To be honest, this professor is pretty cool. I mean, sure, we've seen mad scientists in the media, but this one seems pretty cool, because he may be stereotypical as a professor/paranormal-enthusiast, but he makes a good ally. In fact, he's so good that he makes a good comic foil for Luigi, even though Luigi says nothing and basically expresses emotions by... having the emotions (ex. scared, brave, etc.).
Anyway, Luigi is sent to each different creepy setting to recapture the ghosts that are terrorizing Evershade Valley. Luigi also has to recover all six Dark Moon fragments to restore order in the paranormal world and in Evershade Valley. This results in...
1. another series of creepy houses
2. another rescue
3. another duel with King Boo
-Yeah, about King Boo...
there's nothing much to say about this villain, except that he's no Bowser.
So, what about the ghosts? Well, compared to the ones from the original video game, these are way better-looking ghosts. They seem to possess stereotypical traits that work to the gameplay's advantage. You have:
1. the mischevious goof-offs (the Greenies)
2. the muscle (the Slammers)
3. the... snake-like things that love to hide (the Hiders)
4. the... purple ghosts that remind you a touch of Randall from Monsters, Inc. (the Sneakers)
5. the character design similarity to B.O.B. from Monsters vs. Aliens (the Creepers)
6. the smart-ass stereotype with an obviously big brain (the Poltergeists)
7. the fat-lard stereotype that the Fib from Outer Space himself would think is too silly (the Gobbers)
8. the final boss stereotype that always shows up... in the final boss battles (the Possessors)
Occasionally, you'll come across many Boos that would hide in places if you use your ultralight and shine it all over the room to reveal hidden objects.
The gameplay is great, but what I hate about it is the critters. Those friggin' critters: whether it's a spider, a bug, or a mouse. If you get bitten by either one of those things, you'll lose life points.
-Lose life points over something little?
Yeah, you have to account for that every time you come across these small creatures.
Another minor problem I had with the gameplay was during a battle situation, when Luigi is surrounded by multiple ghosts.
If you're cornered by ghosts of the same species OR by ghosts of different species, you have to have a game plan; because if you try to fight them individually, then another ghost that you're NOT fighting would attack you. And you can lose many life points if you don't do it right. And, just like the Critters that would pop out of nowhere, you would have to account for this every time.
So, despite the minor setbacks, how would I grade this video game?
The minor flaws don't matter, because in the long-run, this video game kicks ass. The gameplay is great for a single-player format; the graphics are colorful and beautiful to look at; the comedic timing (well as the comedic flow) is decent; and the characters are top-notch.
I sure hope the Luigi's Mansion series can make another comeback soon.
Whatsoever Critic
Sources:
Luigi's Mansion: Dark Moon
LarryBoy and the Angry Eyebrows
The Incredibles
Monsters, Inc.
Monsters vs. Aliens
Courtesy: Nintendo, Big Idea Entertainment, Disney/Pixar, and DreamWorks Animation.
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