HAUNTED: Halloween '86 (The Curse Of Possum Hollow)
- March 28, 2017
- Retrotainment Games
Get on SteamHaunted: Halloween '86 - The Curse of Possum Hollow is a challenging side-scrolling, platformer, beat 'em up game inspired by classic 8-bit games. It's the sequel to Haunted: Halloween '85 and features tag team technology, allowing you to swap between characters and utilize their unique skills. The combat system is enhanced with new attack and defensive moves, providing an upgraded experience over the original.
Nintendo Switch
PC
Windows
Xbox One
Xbox
Reviews
- The game features a great mix of platforming and brawler mechanics, with easy-to-learn controls and a variety of upgrades that keep gameplay interesting.
- Atmospheric 8-bit graphics and a catchy soundtrack enhance the creepy Halloween theme, making it enjoyable to play year-round.
- Boss battles are challenging and require players to pay attention to patterns, adding depth to the gameplay experience.
- The game lacks a save feature, relying on passwords which may not suit all players' preferences for modern gaming convenience.
- Character variety is limited, as the two playable characters do not have distinct abilities or gameplay styles.
- Difficulty levels appear unbalanced, with the 'Easy' mode being only slightly easier than 'Normal', which may frustrate players seeking a more gradual challenge.
- music12 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 58 % neutral mentions
- 8 % negative mentions
The music in the game is widely praised for its catchy and atmospheric qualities, effectively enhancing the overall vibe and complementing the 8-bit graphics. Reviewers note that it combines elements reminiscent of classic titles like "Friday the 13th" and "Zombies Ate My Neighbors," resulting in a soundtrack that, while not groundbreaking, is a significant improvement over the previous installment.
“It has great atmospheric 8-bit graphics that set the creepy tone along with an amazingly catchy soundtrack.”
“The music, at least in my opinion, is a lot more catchy and fits the vibe of the game even more. It's as if the surprisingly nice music from the Friday the 13th NES games is mixed with a tad of the memorable 'skips and beats' of Zombies Ate My Neighbors.”
“Don't get me wrong, it's not groundbreaking, but it's definitely an improvement. The last game had good music too, but this one has better music.”
“The music, at least in my opinion, is a lot more catchy and fits the vibe of the game even more. It's as if the music from the crappy Friday the 13th NES games was surprisingly nice, mixed with a tad of the memorable 'skips and beats' of Zombies Ate My Neighbors.”
- graphics6 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The game features impressive atmospheric 8-bit graphics that effectively create a creepy tone, reminiscent of classic titles like River City Ransom and Mega Man. The art style is consistent throughout, blending precision platforming with fast-paced beat 'em up elements, all while accompanied by a catchy soundtrack that enhances the nostalgic NES-era horror vibe.
“It has great atmospheric 8-bit graphics that set the creepy tone along with an amazingly catchy soundtrack.”
“The art style and gameplay pretty much remain the same, and the cheesy NES era 8-bit horror that gives off that 'creepy crawly' for lack of a better term, is still there, a lot more catchy in my opinion.”
“For those that either did not know this from my previous review (or anyone else's review for that matter) to give you the rundown, think River City Ransom art style, Mega Man precision platforming, and just a touch of Double Dragon as some sections play like beat 'em ups when you encounter foes, but just a tad faster paced.”
“The art style and gameplay pretty much remain the same, and the cheesy NES-era 8-bit horror that gives off that 'creepy crawly' for lack of a better term is still there, a lot more catchy in my opinion.”
“The graphics feel outdated and lack the polish expected from modern games, making it hard to immerse myself in the experience.”
“While the game attempts to capture a nostalgic aesthetic, the visuals often come off as bland and uninspired, failing to engage the player.”
- story6 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 33 % neutral mentions
- 33 % negative mentions
The story revolves around a town haunted by a maniacal farmer and his minions, providing engaging boss fights. While the environments are varied, they often lean into cheesy ghost story clichés, which some players find charming but not groundbreaking. Additionally, the lack of a save feature can be frustrating for those who cannot complete the game in one sitting.
“A cool story about a town haunted by a maniacal farmer and his minions which offer some great boss fights.”
“The problem is that there is no way to save a game and come back later, just like the last game. While the NES difficulty and nostalgia are there, not everyone has the time or energy to complete a game in one sitting. I actually guessed one of the passwords based on the character Johnny's name, and it turns out I found a password to get to chapter 6, which serves as level equivalents with some light story and different environments.”
“The environments, from what I saw, were varied and some were interesting, but most of them felt like cheesy ghost story clichés. This isn't necessarily a problem or benefit, as I can see it comes with the charm of a game like this, but it also isn't anything groundbreaking.”
- gameplay4 mentions
- 75 % positive mentions
- 25 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The gameplay retains its nostalgic 8-bit horror aesthetic, reminiscent of the NES era, while incorporating engaging mechanics that evoke a sense of old-school charm. Players appreciate the consistent art style and the catchy, creepy atmosphere that enhances the overall experience.
“The art style and gameplay pretty much remain the same, and the cheesy NES-era 8-bit horror that gives off that 'creepy crawly' vibe, for lack of a better term, is still there, a lot more catchy in my opinion.”
“Old school feel-good mechanics.”
“The art style and gameplay pretty much remain the same, and the cheesy NES-era 8-bit horror that gives off that 'creepy crawly' vibe, for lack of a better term, is still there, a lot more catchy in my opinion.”
- atmosphere2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game features impressive 8-bit graphics that effectively create a creepy atmosphere, complemented by a catchy soundtrack that enhances the overall experience.
“It has great atmospheric 8-bit graphics that set the creepy tone along with an amazingly catchy soundtrack.”
- humor2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is highlighted by a player's amusing experience of accidentally discovering a password related to a character's name, showcasing a light-hearted moment amidst the game's challenging design. While the nostalgia and difficulty are appreciated, the lack of a save feature adds a layer of frustration that contrasts with the humor found in such unexpected discoveries.
