The Haunted Mansion

Based on the Disney ride and film, The Haunted Mansion offers creepy crawlies and more than a few good scares

With a long-standing thrill ride and a holiday movie release starring Eddie Murphy, Disney?s Haunted Mansion is a hot property. Is it any surprise that someone would turn it into a creepy video game?

TDK Mediactive?s action/adventure title sets Zeke Holloway in search of 999 shriveled souls that inhabit a mansion. If he can clear the mansion of its unwelcome tenants (using his upgradeable, energy-firing lantern), they?ll rest in peace. Along the way, though, there are increasing hazards and more than a few unexpected sights: ghouls, spiders, skeletons, and myriad other nasties in his path. Unfortunately, Zeke is easily spooked, and if he can?t keep his bravery high (like a health bar in other games), he?ll faint and fail at his spirit housecleaning.

The Haunted Mansion features two dozen puzzles for Zeke to complete?some of them are cool brain teasers (such as the kitchen), while others border on the tedious (such as the graveyard). As you?d expect from a project with Disney connections, the voice acting is topnotch, advancing the story line and building the ominous mood, though the visuals are just average fare.

Sadly, the game falters during certain combat segments. While the control mechanics enable locking in on an attacker, at times, there are so many charging that it?s difficult to target a particular one. At other times, enemies emerge so close to you?or, in the billiards room, from multiple directions, even underneath you?that there?s little time to save poor Zeke from a frightful jolt.

While there are ample startling moments, this is no Resident Evil. It will be good for a few days of spooks and smiles?much like the ride and probably like the movie.

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