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Review: Haunted House

7/10

Summary

Haunted House isn’t just a whimsical Halloween romp; it’s a spectral tapestry of old and new, offering a haunting experience that will enrapture both retro aficionados and a new generation of thrill-seekers. So, grab your flashlight and embark on a hair-raising journey through the haunted house.

Developer – Orbit Studio

Publisher – Atari

Platforms –  PS4, Switch, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Atari VCS, PC (Reviewed)

Review copy given by Publisher

Prepare to be entranced by the spectral allure of Orbit Studio and Atari’s Haunted House , a ghostly homage to the Atari classic that sends chills down your spine as you delve into a supernatural realm of Halloween-themed horror.

As Lyn Graves, the tenacious niece of the renowned treasure hunter Zachary Graves, you’ll find yourself within the ominous confines of her uncle’s mansion. But this is no ordinary visit. It’s a nightmarish journey to rescue your friends and uncle from a realm filled with ghouls, specters, and enigmatic entities that have spirited your companions away faster than a witch’s broomstick. The solution? Assemble the fragments of a shattered, sinister urn to unlock the secrets that dwell within.

The game’s procedurally generated room layouts, elusive shifting walls, and ghostly ambushes guarantee that each descent into this haunted mansion is a unique horror show. You’ll find yourself creeping, sneaking, and dashing through frightful confrontations with supernatural foes, all while searching for your missing friends and uncle. Each urn shard is guarded by a bone-chilling boss, and the 3D isometric stealth gameplay will have you tiptoeing on the edge of your gaming seat. And when, inevitably, you fall victim to a shadowy apparition, you’ll awaken at the mansion’s entrance, facing a completely reconfigured layout and new eerie entities. Atari’s trick-or-treat twist on the classic gameplay is enough to raise the dead.

Haunted House also unleashes roguelike elements, adding layers of terror and unpredictability to the classic formula. So, if you think you can outsmart the spirits and ghouls, be prepared for a frightful surprise with every playthrough. The art style, eerily whimsical and cartoonish, may deceive at first glance, but don’t be fooled – this game knows how to serve up genuine terror. With its predominantly stealth-based gameplay and spine-tingling combat sequences, it strikes the perfect balance between playful and spine-chilling.

Of course, it wouldn’t be a true Atari adventure without an eerie surprise. Haunted House is teeming with collectibles and lore inspired by the original Haunted House and other classic Atari classics. It’s a delightful nod to the spectral spirits of gaming’s bygone days, ensuring that even the most seasoned ghost hunters will find something to bewitch their spirits.

In Haunted House, combat takes a backseat, putting the emphasis on stealthy maneuvering, enigmatic puzzle-solving in the darkest corners, and the cunning use of traps and items to evade the ghoulies. Collecting gems to bolster your spectral abilities and unearth hidden perks is your ticket to becoming a more formidable ghost hunter during your next venture into the haunted labyrinth.

Haunted House isn’t just a whimsical Halloween romp; it’s a spectral tapestry of old and new, offering a haunting experience that will enrapture both retro aficionados and a new generation of thrill-seekers. So, grab your flashlight and embark on a hair-raising journey through the haunted house.

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