Disney's The Haunted Mansion

There are some nice touches that Haunted Mansion fans will appreciate, like busts that turn their heads to follow you around the room, and portraits of decaying corpses. The camera is rarely a problem, and there are numerous opportunities to save. Haunted Mansion isn't completely original, but its thoughtful puzzles, simple gameplay, and excellent presentation make it one of the more enjoyable games I've played on the Xbox. It could have been a bit scarier, but otherwise I am thrilled with this likeable adventure.

Whether you are 8 or 80 there is plenty to enjoy about this title. If you passed on the game whether it's because it's Disney, thought it had Eddie in it, or another crap movie title, be happy in the fact that the game is very solid and delivers in fun, visuals, and game play. This may be one of those titles that unfortunately gets forgotten or overlooked by the massive number of titles released this holiday season, but if you want a platformer that delivers the goods, look no further than the Haunted Mansion.

Recovering all “999” lost souls to finish the game might seem like a daunting task, but it’s much worse than it sounds and is very accomplishable with a bit of perseverance and determination. The title is engrossing enough that it should be a non-issue for those that have purchased it. High Voltage and TDK Mediactive look to have a sure fire hit on their hands with this title that rises above the mediocrity that is usually associated with games that are produced from movie licenses. Well done.

If there is a downside to The Haunted Mansion it is, once again, that idiotic console mentality that insists on end bosses. Yet, as we have been discovering, it is not always the developers who insert these ‘action sequences’ but rather Sony who insists that all games must have some sort of action or arcade sequence in them lest they be thought of as *gasp* pure adventure. In fact, the endgame battle with Atticus is a prime example of what is usually wrong with ‘adventure/puzzle’ games on consoles: after using your wits to progress through most of the rooms, you must then rely on a quick trigger finger and impeccable aim to finish off the end boss. Blah.

As a title geared for kids, though, which seem to be few and far between nowadays, Haunted Mansion delivers where it counts. There's nothing too scary, too complex or too violent, and the puzzles and platforming are creative enough to keep even an adult playing through more than his or her fair share of rooms. If you've got a trick-or-treater or Disney fan in the house, Haunted Mansion is one game you don't want to miss.

I'm waxing neurotic about the ghost issue, which really is an unfortunate oversight, but The Haunted Mansion isn't that bad. Really. It's imaginative, it controls well, and the puzzles are solid and challenging without being repetitive. It's simply that a basic weakness in the engine makes The Haunted Mansion a far more frustrating experience than it really needs to be.

I'm waxing neurotic about the ghost issue, which really is an unfortunate oversight, but The Haunted Mansion isn't that bad. Really. It's imaginative, it controls well, and the puzzles are solid and challenging without being repetitive. It's simply that a basic weakness in the engine makes The Haunted Mansion a far more frustrating experience than it really needs to be.

I can’t recommend the game for everybody – it can be too repetitive at times and too easy for gamers looking for challenge. However, the spooky theme and familiar Disney settings will make Haunted Mansion an enjoyable diversion for many.

This is definitely a game aimed at the younger end of the market, and I believe it would provide much entertainment for someone of this age. There are close to a thousand evil spirits to be collected and while this should provide a long lasting game experience, collecting spirits can become very tedious, which my frustrate some gamers. Despite this Haunted mansion is a good game, the puzzles are interesting despite the chore of spirit collecting. It really does feel like you are playing in a Disney environment, and it is on the whole an enjoyable game.

I have played better quest-adventure games, but not many. This is a fun one because of the theme. Think of it as a Haunted Zelda (another unintended Nintendo reference!). There is a lot to explore, and there is enough challenge to keep you coming back. Some things are obvious and predictable, but there is so much to work through, it did not really get boring. I found all of the backtracking and tracing of footsteps to be a bit much. I loathe having to scribble down maps and notes when I play-- unless it is a grand game in which such things are expected. In a HOUSE, however, I don't like running in circles. It's fun and adventurous. Too bad there's no Eddie Murphy!

The Haunted Mansion is a surprisingly well-made adventure game set to the backdrop of Disney's spooky thrill ride -- and thankfully not the Eddie Murphy movie version. The game does a pretty decent job of retaining the style and spirit of the license without sacrificing on control mechanics or puzzle cleverness. For these reasons, parents looking for a safe, enjoyable title to play with their kids may find TDK's game a worthy selection.

The Haunted Mansion isn’t a bad bit of game. If the developers had made the puzzles a tad easier and managed to lower the game’s rating it might’ve been a title of more prestige, but as it is it’s a game worth a weekend’s rent for anyone looking for some nostalgia or for a somewhat mature youngin’ but not really a game worth the full price of admission.

If you're a fan of Disney games, or you're just looking for an experience that is perfect for a younger gamer but is also fun for just about anyone, The Haunted Mansion is a good choice. Between its overall solid presentation, and its gameplay that keeps you guessing, this is one game that's worth taking a look at.

Remember the old Haunted Mansion ride at Disneyland? Probably the better question is, how could you not? The creepy hallways, the gliding chairs, the crystal ball, and all of the ghosts -- the popular attraction has frightened children and entertained adults for decades. And now the ride has come to life on the silver screen and on your home videogame system.

Replay is virtually non-existent. Once you have cleared a room, there is nothing left to do. I suppose you could play through the game on a higher level of difficulty, but once is more than enough. Clearly, this is a game with an identity crisis. Kids can’t play it because of the scary ghosts and more mature gamers will be turned off by the puzzles that would be ridiculously easy if not for the occasionally wonky controls. So who’s left?

The Haunted Mansion is a fun game that has a lot to offer to just about everyone. It is simple enough that little kids will enjoy it yet the puzzles and gameplay are not so simple as to insult your intelligence if you are an older gamer. Fans of the ride will also find a lot to like in this game as they can explore the locations that were otherwise off limits and interact with all of the characters. Haunted Mansion is a fun trip through a haunted house that was, sadly, overshadowed by an inferior product in Grabbed by the Ghoulies. The two games share a lot of the same concepts – exploring a haunted house and moving from room to room clearing out ghosts and monsters – but Haunted Mansion is simply more fun. Because of the short length and lack of replay value, however, I can’t really recommend it for a purchase. Give it a rent. You won’t be disappointed.

Le Manoir Hanté aurait pu être un jeu fort agréable s'il avait disposé de plus de soins, malheureusement ce n'est pas le cas. Sa réalisation paresseuse mais surtout les inégalités du gameplay le rendent souvent frustrant et parfois barbant. A essayer car il réserve parfois de bonnes surprises.

Le Manoir Hanté aurait pu être un jeu fort agréable s'il avait disposé de plus de soins, malheureusement ce n'est pas le cas. Sa réalisation paresseuse mais surtout les inégalités du gameplay le rendent souvent frustrant et parfois barbant. A essayer car il réserve parfois de bonnes surprises.

This definitely falls into the category of one of those games we'd like if only it was subtitled. The game itself should only take around 6-8 hours to complete which is a little short but the low price of £24.99 compensates for the shortness in length. The real problem though is the lack of feedback for deaf gamers. The game's not impossible for deaf gamers, not by any stretch of the imagination, but there is a sufficient amount of speech that is not subtitled to reduce the suitability of the game for deaf gamers. If you're interested it may be wise to try and rent the game first to see if you can put up with the omissions.

Despite an impressively ominous intro, it quickly becomes apparent that the only real scare in The Haunted Mansion is its horrifying mediocrity. For starters, the game is brown. Who wants to play a brown game, for flip’s sake? When the game isn’t overtly brown in appearance, it simply means that your character has neglected to throw a light switch, meaning the rentaghosts you shake out of the wobbly furniture will get you that much quicker.