Luigi's Mansion: Dark Moon

I was a big fan of the Luigi's Mansion game from GC. I thought it was a well done game and I was actually pretty happy to see Luigi get some serious air time, though he wasn't particularly heroic. I found the idea fun and cute. It was also quite scary at times and the anticipation of a ghost jumping out of anywhere would sometimes give me white knuckles as I gripped the controller. Of course, I was younger so perhaps it just affected me differently then, then it does now.

When I heard there was going to be another Luigi's Mansion I got excited. I, of course, had no money so I waited ever so patiently and it did in fact, pay off. Luigi's Mansion is the most recent game I have been playing. I'm almost done with the game now but I feel I can write this review without finishing it first.

Luigi's Mansion: Dark Moon did live up to my expectations. I was excited to have another game for my 3DS and I think this is one of the favorites I have. The game play felt weird to me at first but as I got used to it I found the controls to be easy to manage and it feels fun to play. There are all new ghosts and new places to go. Instead of one mansion that Luigi explores, it is several mansions in a mission format (meaning that he explores a part for one mission and then is forced back to the bunker). The new mansions are exciting and each has its own differences. The art is quite pretty and the quality is great. The professor is back and has new inventions to torture Luigi with, and he is the same as always. There is also a multi-player aspect which is cute. You can team up or go head to head in an online or local play scare scraper. I have not yet had the joy of playing that yet but I hear it is fun.
Now for the stuff I don't like. I don't like being forced to go back to the bunker without being able to explore more. Once you have completed your mission you are forced to go back whether you want to or not. I miss the feeling of just being able to explore around without being forced into the mission circumstances. Also... this game is incredibly easy (noting that I am an experienced gamer). I will admit that I have died in the game but it was because I didn't understand how to balance in the game properly (by tilting the 3DS, which I should have guessed). Once I figured that out I was just fine and haven't had a problem since. The game also feels really short. I really wish there was more. Something else worth noting... this game is not scary. I think the only time I ever got creeped out at all was when I saw a closeup of King Boo (who actually looks terrifying and menacing).

I found this when I did a Google search for
King Boo Treacherous Mansion

Other than that, you know full well where the ghosts are going to pop out of and when they do surprise you it's just not scary. Perhaps it's a good thing it's not and I suppose if you are going to give this to a child then it shouldn't be scary. It could be that I'm older now so it's just less scary now that I've matured. I don't know that it is though.
Despite the little annoyances that I have come across where this game actually did not live up to what I hoped for, I actually enjoy it. It's a fun game and that is what games are for. Games are supposed to be fun. I think the developers did a good job on this game and I am content with it. I would recommend this game to anybody who won't continuously hold it to the standard of the first game and can enjoy it for what it is; a fun game.