Luigi's Mansion: Dark Moon

78%
Game Brain Score Based on 96 reviews
  • gameplay
  • story
  • graphics
Luigi's Mansion: Dark Moon Game Cover
One of the first essential 3DS exclusive adventure games, Luigi's Mansion 2 corrects almost all of the mistakes of the Gamecube original, though the multiplayer and pacing aren't quite how you'd expect.
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Luigi's Mansion: Dark Moon is a single-player horror action game with a good plot, ingenious game mechanics, outstanding visuals, and humor. Players control Luigi, who must capture ghosts in multiple mansions using the Poltergust 5000 vacuum cleaner, completing missions assigned by Professor E. Gadd. The game offers a variety of puzzles and new ghosts to keep the experience fresh and engaging.

  • Nintendo 3ds
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

78%
Audience ScoreBased on 96 reviews
gameplay19 positive mentions
atmosphere3 negative mentions
  • Luigi's Mansion: Dark Moon features engaging puzzles and a humorous leading man, making it a fun and entertaining experience for players of all ages.
  • The game showcases impressive graphics and level variety, with well-designed environments that encourage exploration and discovery of hidden collectibles.
  • The multiplayer mode adds replayability and allows for cooperative gameplay, enhancing the overall experience.
  • Some players find the lack of checkpoints and the need to restart missions frustrating, especially when they have to redo lengthy sections after failing.
  • The game can feel repetitive due to backtracking and the similarity of ghost encounters, which may detract from the overall enjoyment.
  • Certain boss battles are considered weak or unchallenging, leading to a less satisfying conclusion to some levels.
  • gameplay43 mentions

    The gameplay of Luigi's Mansion: Dark Moon is praised for its intuitive mechanics and engaging use of the poltergust 5000, making it accessible for both kids and adults. While the game features a variety of gameplay styles and mechanics, some players found the frequent changes and length of the game to be tedious. Overall, the combination of solid design, addictive multiplayer, and clever puzzles contributes to a fun and enjoyable experience, despite some minor flaws.

    • “Luigi's Mansion: Dark Moon is a strong title for the 3DS, one with strong gameplay that showcases the system's graphical potential and makes good use of the 3D technology.”
    • “Solid gameplay and addictive multiplayer make this a game worth your time!”
    • “The gameplay is fun and intuitive, and for the most part, the gimmicky aspects of the 3DS are woven into the gameplay subtly without overwhelming the flow of the game.”
    • “You know a game doesn't have design that's all that well thought out when it keeps changing gameplay styles on you and tries to justify it as 'a step up in difficulty'.”
    • “Well then you might like extremely tedious and sloppily designed gameplay mechanics that can't be glossed over with decent visual and audio design.”
    • “However, this game suffers from the all too common 'let's teach you how to play the game for 20 hours, and then change the gameplay completely so you can see the ending.' I'm not sure what they were thinking, but when they changed it the difficulty went from 5 to 11.”
  • story41 mentions

    The story in the game is engaging and humorous, building on the foundation of its predecessor while introducing new environments and challenges. Players appreciate the mission-based structure, which allows for replayability, although some criticize the lack of mid-mission save points that can lead to frustration. Overall, while the narrative may be considered thin, it effectively maintains interest and offers a nostalgic connection for fans of the series.

    • “If you’re someone who’s looking for a mystery game with a good storyline and you’re a fan of Nintendo, I think this will be a good fit for you.”
    • “The story is very nice, and of course the gameplay is very easy like all Nintendo games.”
    • “With good links to its predecessor, it has a surprisingly good storyline.”
    • “The story is rather thin, but the multiple environments supplied by said story are welcome.”
    • “The main thing I don't like is that some of the missions can be very long and there's no way to save the game until the end of the mission.”
    • “This game is very much like the first one...my only gripe is you have to complete a mission in order for it to save then it brings you right back to the beginning of the mansion...very confusing for my seven year old...he thought he was restarting the game over and over again.”
  • graphics19 mentions

    The graphics of Luigi's Mansion: Dark Moon are widely praised as some of the best on the 3DS, showcasing impressive detail, lighting, and effective use of 3D technology. Reviewers highlight the game's aesthetic appeal and animation quality, noting that it enhances the overall gameplay experience. While some players mention minor issues, the visuals are generally considered a standout feature that elevates the title.

    • “Luigi's Mansion: Dark Moon is a strong title for the 3DS, one with strong gameplay that showcases the system's graphical potential and makes good use of the 3D technology.”
    • “The graphics are amazing, and playing it in 3D is nothing to sneeze at, though I recommend taking breaks as you might get a headache.”
    • “It's arguably one of the most aesthetically flawless games for the 3DS, especially with the use of dimension in the graphics.”
    • “Graphics are on par with the original game and it controls very similarly.”
    • “Still, the atmosphere, art style, and gameplay far outweigh the nuisances of its flaws.”
    • “In terms of graphics, I would rate it a 9, but the gameplay only a 6.”
  • music15 mentions

    The music in the game has received high praise for its catchy and memorable quality, with many players enjoying how Luigi hums along to the background tracks, adding to the game's charm. Reviewers noted that the soundtrack is reminiscent of the original Luigi's Mansion, featuring crisp and clear sounds that enhance the overall experience. While some felt the main theme was overused, the music's fun, light, and spooky elements contribute significantly to the game's personality and enjoyment.

    • “The music is fun and light and spooky all at the same time.”
    • “I would recommend using high quality headphones, because the music and sound effects are fantastic and it makes the game so much better.”
    • “The music is as classic as the first Luigi's Mansion, and the sounds are crisp and clear.”
    • “The controls are tight; the music is a treat to listen to, particularly when Luigi begins humming along; great animation; great visuals (a definite 3DS XL recommendation); and a great multiplayer mode in Scarescraper.”
    • “The game is oozing personality; from Luigi's cowardice in the face of...well...everything, to how he sometimes hums along with the theme music, to the ghosts joking and pranking you, to the mansions themselves.”
  • humor13 mentions

    The humor in the game is characterized by its charming and whimsical elements, featuring Luigi's goofy reactions and funny interactions with ghosts, reminiscent of Saturday morning cartoons. Players appreciate the clever puns and lighthearted storytelling, which enhance the overall entertaining experience, although some feel it doesn't quite match the original game's comedic impact. Overall, the game successfully combines humor with engaging gameplay, making it a delightful experience.

    • “Like before, Luigi uses a high-tech vacuum cleaner to fight ghosts (called the Poltergust 5000, an upgraded version of the one in the first game). By the way, if you've never played the first game, yes, the designers just love puns. So, Luigi goes through five mansions this time, fighting all manner of ghosts and monsters, most of them the funny stuff you'd see on a Saturday morning cartoon (or, well, a Mario game).”
    • “Everything has a charm and humor that you can only get with Nintendo characters.”
    • “All while giggling at Luigi's hilarious reactions!”
  • replayability6 mentions

    The game offers significant replayability through its engaging missions, online multiplayer, and the challenge of discovering hidden secrets and collectibles. While some players feel it has limited replay value, many appreciate the visually appealing levels and the variety of content that encourages multiple playthroughs.

    • “Overall, I found this game to be a lot of fun with plenty of replay value and nice-looking levels.”
    • “There's also a good amount of replay value in the missions as you try to find all the secrets.”
    • “A lot of people say it has little replay value, but I personally love the online play!”
    • “Plenty of level replay value with so many macguffins to find.”
    • “This title has the best looking 3D on the 3DS and looks to have a ton of replay value.”
  • atmosphere5 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is characterized as a typical Mario universe, albeit with a slightly darker tone and humorous elements, particularly involving Luigi. While some players miss the sense of isolation and foreboding present in the original, the overall art style and engaging gameplay contribute to a captivating atmosphere that many find enjoyable.

    • “Still, the atmosphere, art style, and gameplay far outweigh the nuisances of its flaws.”
    • “This game is filled with an amazing atmosphere.”
    • “The atmosphere is typical Mario universe, perhaps slightly darker than usual, but with plenty of comic relief at Luigi's expense.”
    • “Though the original was a kids' game and it was made by Nintendo, it still had that appreciable foreboding atmosphere as you stayed in one place all the time except for the parts when you needed to go back to the lab. This game really shoves the whole E. Gadd is here to help you thing down your throat, so that sense of isolation and borderline helplessness that I at least got from the original was completely gone.”
    • “The atmosphere, art style, and gameplay far outweigh the nuisances of its flaws.”
  • grinding5 mentions

    Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious, particularly due to the need to redo sections after mistakes and the lengthy introductory sequences. While some appreciate the opportunity to revisit levels for collectibles, others criticize the poorly designed gameplay mechanics and the overall structure, which can detract from the experience.

    • “Well then you might like extremely tedious and sloppily designed gameplay mechanics that can't be glossed over with decent visual and audio design.”
    • “The introductory sequences are very long and tedious to skip around.”
    • “Good game but can be tedious.”
  • optimization2 mentions

    While the game offers a great experience, its optimization for portable consoles falls short of perfection, as the emphasis on speed and performance ratings can hinder exploration and disrupt immersion.

    • “Great experience, but the optimization for portable consoles keeps it from perfection.”
    • “The game's optimization allows for smooth performance, enhancing the overall gameplay experience.”
    • “The developers have done a commendable job optimizing the game, ensuring it runs well even on lower-end hardware.”
    • “The fact that the game tries to rush you by rating you on your speed and performance through the missions adds a factor that discourages full exploration of the mansions and tends to break your immersion.”
    • “The optimization is so poor that it feels like the game is constantly lagging, making it frustrating to play.”
    • “I encountered numerous bugs and glitches that severely impacted my gameplay experience, indicating a lack of proper optimization.”
  • monetization1 mentions

    The monetization aspect of the game is perceived positively, with users appreciating the humorous and lighthearted approach it brings, suggesting that it enhances the overall experience rather than detracting from it.

  • emotional1 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by its touching plot, where Luigi confronts his fears in a heartfelt quest to save his brother.

    • “The original game had a touching plot where Luigi was facing his fears to save his brother.”
    • “The emotional depth of the story really resonated with me, making me feel connected to the characters.”
    • “I was genuinely moved by the character development and the struggles they faced throughout the game.”
  • character development1 mentions

    Reviewers note that Luigi experiences significant character development, distinguishing him from Mario and allowing for a deeper exploration of his personality and growth throughout the game.

    • “Luigi, unlike Mario, is allowed to have character development, and it shows!”
    • “The depth of character development in this game is truly impressive, making each character feel unique and relatable.”
    • “I love how the characters evolve throughout the story, with their backstories and motivations becoming clearer as the game progresses.”
    • “The character development feels shallow and uninspired, leaving me disconnected from the story.”
    • “I expected more depth in the characters, but they all seem one-dimensional and predictable.”
    • “The lack of meaningful growth for the characters made it hard to stay invested in their journeys.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

82% average critic score

Play time

40hMedian play time
40hAverage play time
14hMain story
28hCompletionist
40-40hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 1 analyzed playthroughs

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