Is Luigi's first-ever solo title a system seller or merely a Mario stand-in?

User Rating: 8.5 | Luigi Mansion GC
By seaward12 | Review Date:
Luigi's Mansion is fun while it lasts ¿ it really is. The control is top notch, the puzzle solving elements mildly enjoyable, and the house a big, unexplored thing overflowing with spirits. The technology powering the game is phenomenal ¿ you won't find better lighting and shadow effects, not to mention cloth physics, in any other game for a good while to come. Plus, the title is practically overflowing with Nintendo character which is demonstrated in everything from the goofy music to the way Luigi cries in comical fear after being scared by a ghost. There's a certain amount of polish here that shouldn't be overlooked.

The problem is that the game doesn't really offer much in the vein of variety. Exploring room after room and hallway after hallway only to suck up ghost after ghost becomes redundant. And the adventure ends abruptly five or six hours after it's started ¿ with no replay value to be discovered. For that, I can really only recommend Luigi's Mansion as a buy for the hardcore audience and as a rental to everyone else.

This may be Nintendo's internal flagship launch title, but it's certainly not the GameCube equivalent of Mario 64, as many of us were hoping for.

Presentation
Standard, boring menus, but a very ambient, cartoony trek otherwise. 7.5/10

Graphics
Brilliant for the most part. Amazing shadow, lighting and cloth physics effects only slightly marred by low-poly backgrounds and sometimes bland textures 9.5/10

Sound
Comical -- and sometimes overly cheesy. Nice character voices and a catchy theme song that is overused.7.5/10

Gameplay
Fun enough while it lasts, but the adventure is ultimately too easy and over too quick. And no reward. 7.5/10

Lasting Appeal
Virtually none to be had 2.5/10

Overall: 8.5/10

My Verdict: buy it if u like Action Adventure gmaes :)

Other Helpful Reviews for Luigi Mansion

  • Rating:8.3

    A game that's just as fun as an mario game, that just seems to be a little short.

    By luigigreen | Review Date: Feb 26, 2006 | GC

    Luigi's Mansion was a release title for the Nintendo Gamecube, that shows off what the Gamecube could do, graphically speaking. This game seems to be more of a tech demo, but it still comes off as one extremely fun and i... Read Full Review

    6 of 6 users found the following review helpful
  • Rating:9

    Luigi's Mansion review

    By KriobaKeys | Review Date: Nov 28, 2007 | GC

    This is a one of a kind game. This game is outstanding in quality, and for it's time the graphics were not half bad.This is a unique game that has a lot to offer. I've completed this twice and i still continuously find t... Read Full Review

    4 of 4 users found the following review helpful
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