Launched alongside the GameCube in 2001, Luigi’s Mansion was judged warily by Nintendo followers earlier than launch, however has turn into a bona fide basic – one which noticed two eventual sequels, on 3DS in 2013 and Swap in 2019. With Swap 2 on the horizon and comparatively few video games within the pipeline, Nintendo has determined to launch an enhanced conversion of the second recreation, Darkish Moon, with HD visuals and different high quality of life adjustments. The bundle is definitely intriguing, however how does the sport maintain up and what’s modified by way of its presentation?
As an enhanced 3DS recreation, I wasn’t initially positive what to anticipate from Luigi’s Mansion 2 HD. In any case, 3DS video games occupy a curious house: suitably fashionable in some respects, however with vital texture and geometry constraints designed round a comparatively weak processor and small, low-resolution display. Darkish Moon is an fascinating instance although, because it stands as one of many extra visually spectacular video games on 3DS – one thing particular that completely leverages the system’s capabilities.
Luigi’s Mansion 2 has additionally a basically completely different design to the unique, with mission-based gameplay that is sensible for brief spots of handheld play. The core of the motion, nevertheless, stays decidedly Luigi’s Mansion: you are fixing puzzles, battling ghosts and customarily inflicting havoc alongside the best way.
As a 3DS recreation, remake builders Tantalus have been confronted with updating the visuals to go well with Swap with out fully altering the look of the sport. From a tech standpoint, the result’s no match for Luigi’s Mansion 3, nevertheless it’s nonetheless a good-looking replace of the unique visuals. Characters and environments use extra geometric element, textures and shadows are increased decision, and lighting has been upgraded considerably – even the clouds are fluffier. Total, scene geometry matches the unique recreation, however the enhancements – particularly to the lighting – are vital and elevate the sport’s visuals.
It is the sort of factor the place, once you first lay eyes on the Swap model, your reminiscence will inform you that that is how the sport all the time regarded. It is solely once you return to the 3DS unique which you could actually see the hassle poured into enhancing the presentation.
I have never had an opportunity to play via the complete recreation, however the first mansion tells you the whole lot you could know in regards to the recreation’s improve from 3DS. I’d in the end describe this as a really good, clear enhancement, one that completely retains the unique look of Luigi’s Mansion Darkish Moon however introduces sufficient enhancements that it winds up feeling like a correct definitive launch. The builders have executed a fantastic job with this model of the sport.
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Picture high quality is maybe the remake’s strongest level. Luigi’s Mansion 2 HD targets native 1080p in docked mode and 720p in transportable mode, with every mode additionally providing nice anti-aliasing. Consequently, the picture high quality is among the many greatest I’ve ever seen on Swap. It is only a super-sharp, clear trying recreation from prime to backside. It is a good instance of how one can leverage good picture high quality with sharp artwork design to create one thing that appears enticing even on low-end {hardware}. The identical is true of the sport’s person interface parts which have been fully reworked with 1080p in thoughts, leading to crisp, clear fonts and menus all through.
In fact, there’s additionally frame-rate to contemplate and that is maybe extra fascinating than you’d count on. You see, in its unique kind, Luigi’s Mansion Darkish Moon on 3DS runs with an uncapped frame-rate – however even with overclocking, this frame-rate is essentially unstable and usually lies round 30fps. Swap does not provide a 60fps mode, regardless of its extra highly effective {hardware}, however as an alternative provides a locked 30fps – a call that is sensible given the character of the gameplay. In my expertise, the sport retains this 30fps goal flawlessly with zero hiccups or points.
Once you get proper all the way down to it, then, I’d say that this iteration of Luigi’s Mansion 2 is best in mainly each means. The one factor you actually lose out on, clearly, is assist for stereoscopic 3D – which did work nicely on 3DS however is not supported on Swap.
The opposite facet of presentation then is the audio – as a conversion of a handheld recreation, I did not have excessive hopes that the event crew would rework the audio to assist encompass sound, they usually did not – it is a stereo expertise. In reality, I would say that audio typically isn’t a excessive level for this recreation. It is serviceable, however I really feel prefer it simply does not have the identical draw as the unique Luigi’s Mansion on GameCube which has a novel soundtrack.
So, what in regards to the recreation itself? On the floor, I’d say it is my least favourite of the three Luigi Mansion video games but, given the standard of the trilogy, that is hardly an indictment – all three video games are stable. So even being my least favourite, I nonetheless suppose the expertise is kind of gratifying and price enjoying. The mansion designs, missions and core mechanics are all quite a lot of enjoyable and this new coat of paint holds up nicely beneath scrutiny.
