‘Luigi’s Mansion: Dark Moon’ Review Roundup

Luigi’s Mansion: Dark Moon is set for release tomorrow for 3DS. This is what the critics have to say.

The original Luigi’s Mansion saw its release on GameCube a few years back, and impressed us with its innovative pseudo-Ghostbusters gameplay that helped Luigi get out from the shadow of his brother Mario for once.

Speaking of Ghostbusters, Luigi’s Mansion was actually better received than the movie-licensed games. Gamer veterans will know that’s nothing new, as movie licensed videogames rarely do well. Anyway, back to what the critics thought of Luigi’s Mansion: Dark Moon (or Luigi’s Mansion 2 outside the US).

Much like a Disney film, Luigi’s Mansion: Dark Moon pulls off a dark atmosphere while retaining an element of comedy. Luigi’s Poltergust 5000 vacuum cleaner inhales tablecloths and billowing drapery as his comedic footfalls accompany him humming along with the background music. He also speaks with Professor E. Gadd via Nintendo DS.

One such exchange has the Professor asking him if he’s excited to go to another location, to which Luigi shakes his head from side to side. Yes, there will be more than one house this time, unlike the singular Resident Evil-style locale from the original.

Each mansion has its own look, such as a dusty clock tower, and an overgrown garden. Adding to Nintendo’s signature of quality is a series of puzzles that rarely get re-used and never get old.

Professor E. Gadd has spent the last decade plus as a paranormal researcher, creating things that use the supernatural energy of ghosts. However, when the Dark Moon shatters, Gadd calls upon his old friend Luigi to restore order.

In order to bust the ghosts in Luigi’s Mansion: Dark Moon, Luigi must search the mansions’ every nook and cranny to find them, and when he does, he has to use his strobe light thingy to prepare them and then suck them into his vacuum cleaner. The ghosts have various personalities and quirks, such as protective sunglasses. Some swing swords and can only be hit after they’re vulnerable, and others have to be exposed by the dark light before capture.

All in all, Luigi’s Mansion: Dark Moon is an enjoyable romp through familiar territory, with enough new elements to keep it from getting old.

What do you think of Luigi’s Mansion: Dark Moon?