Luigi’s Mansion 2 HD Is A Hauntingly Decent Remaster And Not Much Else – review

by

As a seasoned gamer with over two decades of gaming under my belt, I must say that Luigi’s Mansion 2 HD for the Nintendo Switch left me feeling a bit divided. Having played both the original Luigi’s Mansion on GameCube and Luigi’s Mansion: Dark Moon on 3DS, I was eagerly anticipating a refreshed take on this beloved horror puzzler.

As a dedicated gamer who’s been following the gaming scene for years, I was thrilled when Nintendo announced Luigi’s Mansion 2 HD for the Switch. However, my excitement soon turned to disappointment as I realized that this wasn’t going to be the major overhaul I had hoped for.

For those who have experienced the original Luigi’s Mansion 2, or Luigi’s Mansion: Dark Moon in North America, this remaster will be familiar. King Boo has shattered the Dark Moon into pieces and sent ghosts into a frenzy worldwide. It’s once again Luigi’s responsibility to put an end to their chaos, with the assistance of Professor E. Gadd and his new companion Polterpup – a friendly ghost dog, the best boy around (forget about Oatchi).

Instead of the single mansion from its GameCube precursor or the big hotel in its sequel, Luigi’s Mansion 2 has Luigi investigating various mansions to gather all the Dark Moon crystals. In essence, it could be called “Luigi’s Mansions”, but that’s a matter for another discussion.

In simpler terms, Luigi’s Mansion 2 HD for the HD consoles is more structured compared to the first and third games in the series. Instead of giving players the freedom to explore mansions as they please, Luigi gets transported back to E. Gadd’s laboratory after completing a task. This transforms the Metroidvania game into a series of levels instead. Some gamers found this change frustrating back then and it remains so today, disrupting the immersive exploration experience for the sake of its portable roots. However, this level-by-level approach also makes the game more laid-back and accessible, allowing players to jump in and out easily.

1. While delving into the various regions is the primary charm of Luigi’s Mansion 2 HD, it can be disappointing when you’re drawn away from further exploration. Discovering piles of money or additional ghosts to battle is always enjoyable, but the game frequently takes you somewhere else instead of its most appealing aspect. This compromise was made long ago and can’t be reversed now, but it would have been great if there were new bonus missions that let Luigi wander freely.

Have an opinion on this article? We’d love to hear it!

Despite the compact mission format, exploring these regions as Luigi remains an enjoyable experience. The Poltergust 3000’s ability to eliminate obstacles or vacuum up money and spirits continues to provide a sense of fulfillment. A significant upgrade in the game’s control system enables precise positioning of Luigi using the right analog stick, resulting in more fluid movement and enemy combat.

In Luigi’s Mansion 2 HD, battling ghosts presents a moderately difficult encounter. You’ll need to use your flashlight to stun them first, followed by sucking them up with the Poltergust. Dealing with a single basic ghost is doable, but facing an entire room filled with them can be quite a test. These ghosts are capable of hindering your progress by shielding their companions or hurting you when you’re off guard. Some ghosts may even have protective shields against your flashlight, forcing you to devise alternative methods to stun them before elimination.

1. In the game, the most exciting moments come during the boss battles, where you’re challenged to think outside the box when using Luigi’s weapons. Unlike regular enemies, these bosses can’t just be stunned and defeated easily. Instead, you have to find objects in the environment that can be used against the ghostly creatures. For instance, the first giant spider boss demands you to find three distinct methods to burn its web as the battle progresses. The game’s boss fights are undeniably the main attraction, often compensating for the game’s noticeable linearity.

3D enthusiasts who loved Luigi’s Mansion 3 and are okay with a more compact storyline will find delight in Luigi’s Mansion 2 HD for Nintendo Switch. This revamped version of the beloved 3DS game offers enhanced graphics, but it doesn’t address the original’s obvious, debatable issues that some may find controversial.

Review
Luigi’s Mansion 2 HD
Luigi’s Mansion 2 HD is Luigi’s Mansion 2 again, but with prettier visuals and better controls. For better or worse, this is exactly what was advertised and Nintendo delivered.
Nintendo Switch
7 out of 10

Read More

2024-07-30 14:13