Haunted Arcade
- August 19, 2024
- Paulini
Get on Steam
Get on itch.io StoreA cozy Arcade Game Collection turned on its head by the twists of a local Ghost. Cross-releasing on itch.io on Dec 7th, 2024. In this cozy and colorful game, the player needs to surpass high scores set in various rigged Arcade Games inhabited by a residing Ghost.Explore a hand-painted 3D environment blending the childish nature of the Ghost's character with the retro aesthetic of a 1980s Arcade H…
PC
Windows
Reviews
- The game has a charming concept with a cute ghost that adds a unique twist to classic arcade gameplay.
- The visuals are vibrant and colorful, capturing the nostalgic arcade aesthetic effectively.
- There is a variety of mini-games that, when functioning properly, provide fun and engaging gameplay.
- The game is plagued by numerous bugs and crashes, making it frustrating and often unplayable.
- Many mini-games suffer from clunky controls and design issues, leading to a lack of enjoyment.
- Progress is frequently lost due to the game's failure to save properly, which detracts from the overall experience.
- stability17 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The game is plagued by numerous bugs and glitches, making it frustrating and at times unplayable. While players appreciate its cute art style and fun concept, the instability significantly hampers the overall experience, with many reporting crashes and progression issues. Despite these problems, some users express hope for future improvements and still find enjoyment in the game.
“It's just annoying, and the bugs and glitches in this game are endless.”
“Unplayable buggy trash.”
“I am recommending this game because I want to see more from it, but there is a significant number of bugs and glitches that make it difficult to play.”
- graphics13 mentions
- 38 % positive mentions
- 38 % neutral mentions
- 23 % negative mentions
The graphics are characterized by a vibrant, colorful, and cartoony aesthetic that effectively captures a retro arcade feel, though some reviewers feel the pixel art lacks inspiration and gives off a cheap vibe. While the animation of the main character is praised, the overall visual execution is seen as a mix of charming and simplistic, with a variety of 2D and 3D styles across different minigames. Overall, the art style is appealing and adds to the game's quirky charm, despite some critiques regarding originality.
“Vibrant graphics: the retro arcade aesthetic is well-executed, with colorful visuals that capture the arcade feel.”
“Very charming visuals and cool minigames!”
“If they had perhaps aimed to more closely mimic 70s - 80s era arcade games' uniquely simple art styles, they could have easily pulled off this slapdash design and gotten away with it honestly, but the uninspired 'retro' 'pixel art' really just gives off a uniquely cheap vibe.”
“The visuals are colorful, bright, and cartoony, with no attempt to look realistic or overly complicated.”
“The visual art style between the arcade games and the arcade itself varies in an array of different 3D and 2D styles, each game being different.”
- story12 mentions
- 25 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 25 % negative mentions
The story is generally well-received, described as "short but sweet" and charming, leaving players eager for more content and updates. However, some users criticize the lack of depth in character development and plot, feeling that the dialogue options are arbitrary and detract from the experience. Despite these issues, the game is appreciated for its fun mini-games and engaging setting, though technical bugs have been noted.
“It's a super adorable game with a cool art style, and I love the story.”
“- The story is short but sweet, and leaves me wanting more.”
“There are several bugs, but you can see what it's going to be once everything gets worked out, and that's a fun collection of mini-games (that each have a little more to them than it first seems) with a relaxing setting and charming story.”
“Despite the plot and game design focusing on high scores, you aren't given an opportunity to get a high score on your first try; you're just booted before the game even starts due to the plot.”
“Having really arbitrary dialogue options in a game with next to no plot and a character that has as much depth as a kiddie pool is one thing, but why then also tie a player shown meter to this? It just makes me feel like I've done the 'wrong option' or that I need to choose what I say specifically for a certain outcome rather than what I actually just want to say.”
“The menu you have is pointless; you have a quest system for the two things you do and a map for this tiny room you're in.”
- music10 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 20 % neutral mentions
- 30 % negative mentions
The music in the game is a mix of charming chiptune and piano melodies that evoke a range of emotions, from cheerful to melancholic, fitting the theme of friendship with a ghost. However, some players find the music repetitive or annoying, with instances of missing sound altogether, particularly in the arcade mode. Overall, while the music contributes to a cozy atmosphere, its execution can be inconsistent, affecting the overall experience.
“The music behind all of this is wonderful; simple chiptune and piano melodies that straddle the line between cheerful and almost sad, which couldn't be any better for a game where you make friends with a ghost who just wants to play games with someone.”
“Funky music, cool designs, and a wholesome vibe!”
“Sometimes I just idle in the hall and enjoy the funky music and cozy atmosphere, to be honest.”
“On top of that, movement is sluggish (air hockey comes to mind in particular), the music is rather annoying, in many cases there's absolutely no sound at all, and it crashes to boot.”
“Gotcha, generic music that's bad because 'it's just like the 80s!' in spades.”
“The thing that drives this home is how untested the arcade mode is, as every game is unplayable; they all soft lock and don't play music on entering them (at least for me).”
- gameplay4 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The gameplay is praised for its unique mechanics, such as spawning spells while jumping, but is criticized for being overly simplistic and repetitive, lacking depth and variety. Players noted that the focus on gimmicks detracts from engaging gameplay, and some suggested that aim assist could improve the experience, particularly for controller users. Overall, while the concept is cute, the execution leaves much to be desired.
“It's probably the best gameplay out of the bunch. I liked how it actually made you spawn the rainbow, I mean magic spell, while you jump to gain extra height (at least I think they did that on purpose).”
“The gameplay being simple is good too, although very repetitive since basically nothing interesting or unique happens as the game is made to be played for about 2 seconds before the gimmick takes over.”
“I actually died to this a few times. I think perhaps a bit of aim assist would have helped on controller, as you basically just either hold back and walk through the corridor or stand there and shoot. Having to focus less on aiming would at least allow the dodging gameplay to take the forefront.”
“Cute idea, but the gameplay is atrocious.”
- atmosphere4 mentions
- 75 % positive mentions
- -50 % neutral mentions
- 75 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is generally well-received, with many players appreciating the cozy and enjoyable environment, complemented by funky music. However, some criticism is directed at the sound design, which can be inconsistent and distracting. Overall, the atmosphere is described as immaculate, enhancing the experience of the fun and challenging arcade games.
“Sometimes I just idle in the hall and enjoy the funky music and cozy atmosphere, to be honest.”
“Immaculate atmosphere, four fun little games.”
“Amazing atmosphere, fun and challenging arcade games.”
“The arcade machines are uninspired and generic, but the actual atmosphere is decent; however, the sound design is iffy, often obnoxiously playing in one ear.”
“The overall atmosphere feels lifeless and fails to engage the player, making it hard to immerse myself in the game.”
“While the visuals are appealing, the atmosphere lacks depth and fails to create a compelling environment.”
- emotional3 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game is praised for its unique and wholesome vibe, complemented by funky music and cool designs. However, it also delivers a deeply emotional experience, culminating in a heart-wrenching ending that left players in tears.
“The game has potential as one of the best unique and wholesome games this year.”
“Very heart-wrenching ending; I cried and felt emotionally drained.”
- humor2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is characterized by its quirky and unexpected moments, such as disappearing items, random frame rate drops, and repetitive dialogue, which contribute to a lighthearted and amusing experience. Players find charm in the game's glitches and crashes, often viewing them as humorous rather than frustrating, enhancing the overall playful tone.
“Such a cute, funny game!”
“Items in the shop can suddenly vanish for no reason, the frame rate can randomly drop like a brick, the dialogue choices and responses are awfully repetitive (and most of the time, ghostie just doesn't want to talk. That's okay, buddy), ghostie floats and clips into things, and the game occasionally crashes for reasons I don't know (it crashed when the arcade power went out, funny enough).”
