Ghost Manor for TurboGrafx-16

Image: MobyGames

Ghost Manor

Slippery slopes

Genre: action - platform

Publisher: TTI

Year: 1992

System: TurboGrafx-16

Gameplay Score: 1

Gameplay Notes:

Extremely slippery controls. Think 4-1 from SMB2 but with half inch wide platforms. Only means of attack is a projectile with limited ammo. Enemies take numerous hits and ammo refills are rare. Huge knockback. Makes platforming ridiculously difficult.

Level Design Score: 1

Level Design Notes:

Each level is a square maze. Requires precision platforming that doesn't match with the slippery controls. The platforms are either tiny, sloped, indiscernible, or barely out of reach. Or all for the above. The whole thing is built to highlight the game's flaws.

Theme Score: 1

Theme Notes:

You're a kid named Arthur (mm hmm) whose town is being attacked by the undead. So yeah, this is either Evil Dead or Zombies ate My Neighbors. Take your pick because this doesn't measure up to either of those franchises.

Art Style Score: 2

Art Style Notes:

The backgrounds aren't bad and the enemy sprites are actually well drawn, but your character looks like post-thaw Encino Man wearing Alvin the Chipmunk's outfit. In a game full of ghosts I think this is the most disturbing element.

Audio Score: 3

Audio Notes:

Good not great

Overall Score: 26

Review ID: 1463