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[zroid]

Metascore as of March 21 @ 11:00pm EDT: 85 (24 reviews aggregated)

1up: not rated

Dark Moon's thoughtful design and overall excellence don't just make it an essential for the 3DS library; they also help redeem its unloved, neglected predecessor in retrospect as well. Who'd have thought that the most benighted Mario spin-off would inspire such a compelling sequel?

Kotaku: "play it"

Nintendo has deemed 2013 the "Year of Luigi." And while Luigi's Mansion may not have felt like a game that needed a sequel, Dark Moon exists, and it has something to prove: Luigi can carry a game all by himself. I'm not convinced the series needed to go for more, more, more, (bigger! better! faster!) but I'm sold on Luigi himself. In fact, I want to see more of Luigi than I do his famous brother. Even if Luigi is kind of a goof.

Eurogamer: 9/10

Almost 12 years later, Luigi gets a second shot at a leading role in this sequel for 3DS, and this time there'll be no half measures. This is his moment. Luigi's Mansion 2 (known as Luigi's Mansion: Dark Moon in North America) is a wonderful fulfilment of that game's promise - and it also makes Luigi into a bonafide star.

GameSpot: 6.5/10

Ultimately, Luigi's Mansion: Dark Moon is a mostly pleasant game marred by the possibility of moments so frustrating, they threaten to overshadow the entire experience. These missteps are all the more disappointing because the better elements of the game are so charming. You may still want to take up the PolterGust 5000 and explore these haunted houses, but be warned: the things lurking in these dark places aren't likely to scare you, but they may well have you seeing red.

Polygon: 7/10

Luigi's Mansion: Dark Moon has lost a bit of the soul of its predecessor — the ghosts have lost their motivations and personalities, such as they were. They're just monsters now. But by nearly every mechanical design metric, Luigi's Mansion: Dark Moon is a better game than its predecessor. Vanquishing ghosts is still a satisfying enterprise — I just wish I could get to know them, first.

Destructoid: 9.5/10

In many ways, Dark Moon's ScareScraper is one of the best multiplayer modes I've ever played. There's so much variety to it, and the formula of combining the cooperative nature with competitive, playful elements is genius. My wife and I couldn't stop playing, and every time I had friends over who owned a 3DS, I beamed a download play version to their portables for a quick few rounds.

If Dark Moon was just a single-player experience, it would have been a fleeting, yet enjoyable adventure. But with the addition of an infectious multiplayer element that can't be replicated anywhere else, it makes Luigi's Mansion Dark Moon even better than its predecessor, and one of the clear-cut best games on the 3DS.

Nintendo World Report (US): 9.5/10

Luigi’s Mansion: Dark Moon is a fantastic game everyone with a 3DS and passing interest in the GameCube original should check out. The lengthy single-player experience, which should take most players more than 10 hours, is filled with clever puzzles, rewarding exploration, and smartly designed gameplay, while the multiplayer is an outstanding cooperative experience that could become a 3DS multiplayer staple. Simply, Dark Moon is a top-tier 3DS game that was well worth the wait.

Nintendo World Report (EU): 9.5/10

Luigi's Mansion 2 is one of my all-time favorite experiences on the Nintendo 3DS and not without good reason. The sequel to the GameCube game bursts with content. Together the expansive single player journey and interesting multiplayer mode make up a beautiful experience. The game is clever, both in the various elements presented to the player as well as the humor that comes with this gang of characters. This is the second marquee title for the Nintendo 3DS in 2013. Who could have imagined it would come so quick after the first?

The Escapist: 4.5/5

It's a fantastic little platformer that looks great, plays well, doesn't talk down to you and utilizes the strengths of the system to their full effect. This is a game that really "gets" the essence of the 3DS, and understands that a good 3DS game means so much more than just using the 3D effect.

Everyone with a 3DS should enjoy this game, but fans of Mario games, as well as fans of puzzle-focused action-adventure RPGs like The Legend of Zelda, will especially enjoy the ghostbusting gameplay mechanics of Luigi's Mansion: Dark Moon.

Game Informer: 8.5

Luigi’s Mansion: Dark Moon is an endearing sequel that refines the original game’s formula in the best ways. Even the occasional déjà vu moments can’t hold the experience back entirely. The rich presentation (especially on the 3DS XL) and contained mission structure make it a perfect addition to the 3DS library. Whether you played the GameCube original or not, this is a must-play for Nintendo fans.

EGM: 8.5

Luigi’s Mansion: Dark Moon’s charm, great looks, and interesting puzzles overshadow its few flaws to provide a quality experience that fans of the original and newcomers to the series alike should enjoy in earnest.

GamesRadar: 4/5

Luigi's Mansion: Dark Moon weighs in at about 14 hours long, though it'll feel longer thanks to skillful pacing. And the game has a number of tools to keep sucking players back in.
...
Like a trip through a carnival funhouse, the thrills of Luigi's Mansion: Dark Moon may be simple, but they're exciting nonetheless. Here's hoping it doesn't take another 12 years before we can get back into the ghostbusting game.

GamesBeat: 80/100

Luigi’s Mansion: Dark Moon is a puzzle-rich wonderland full of irreverent humor and clever level design, but it cannot overcome the 3DS’s limitations. Tilt controls and the lack of a second analog stick really tarnishes an otherwise amazing game. I really, truly wanted to love Dark Moon unconditionally as it freshens up the Luigi’s Mansion concept and depicts its protagonist as truly acting on his own for the first time, but playing it is extremely frustrating at times.

Dark Moon is still incredibly fun, but you have to approach it realizing that the controls aren’t what they should be. I’d almost take aiming the Poltergust with the stylus over the awkward way Nintendo implemented aiming here, but that would make the game just as unwieldy as Kid Icarus: Uprising’s use of the touchscreen for movement.

Pocketgamer: 9/10

Luigi's Mansion 2: Dark Moon is very close to being the perfect Nintendo 3DS game - nay, the perfect Nintendo game - but slight niggles here and there are impossible to ignore.
...
But please don't let these minor issues put you off, as Luigi's Mansion 2: Dark Moon borders on Nintendo 3DS perfection. This is the game that 3DS owners have been waiting for, and you owe it to yourself to give Luigi a chance.

IGN: 9.3/10

Luigi’s Mansion 2 might be a sequel, but it’s one that shows Nintendo at its inventive best. It’s an essential game in the 3DS’ increasingly impressive line-up, and though I sometimes wished that it would leave me alone to explore more at my own pace, it’s otherwise difficult to fault a game this detailed, absorbing and masterfully made.

Nintendo Life: 9/10

Luigi's Mansion: Dark Moon is nothing less than an absolute triumph for Nintendo. Everything about it from its glorious visuals right through to its in-depth, incredibly fun gameplay just oozes high quality. It almost begs the question why this game wasn’t developed for Wii U; it's a home console quality experience and proof that on its day the 3DS can deliver above and beyond its competitors. The multiplayer mode is slightly disappointing, if only because it could have been much more, and the control setup is a tad awkward in places. Nevertheless, don't let these minor niggles stop you from enjoying everything else that Luigi’s Mansion: Dark Moon has to offer; namely its superb single-player adventure. It's one of the best games yet for 3DS, and evidence that 2013 is very much the "Year of Luigi".

EDGE: 8/10

But despite the twitchy combat and compulsive collecting, it all comes back to those creaking mansions. Highly polished under their grime and cobwebs, the treats awaiting in their dark rooms prove Luigi’s subversive series still has the capacity to thrill.

TheSixthAxis: 8/10

Luigi’s Mansion 2 is filled with little gags that Nintendo fans will really appreciate (the original DS is a nice touch). Luigi’s character is much more rounded than it was last time around, and the game feels like a real evolution in terms of storytelling and gameplay – everything is richer, bigger and more fun to explore, and the control scheme fits the handheld like a glove. Multiplayer rounds off the package nicely, and whilst it’s not as immediate as the namesake in Nintendo Land, there’s plenty here to keep people happy. A really, really good game.

Metro: 9/10

In Short: Utterly charming and subversively clever in that classic Nintendo way, this is one of the best games on the 3DS and one of the mostly perfectly polished titles on any system this year.

Pros: Pitch perfect presentation and visuals, with an elegant mix of simple combat and disarmingly complex puzzles. Excellent bosses and plenty of variety. Entertaining multiplayer.

Cons: There’s not really much depth to the combat, and the lack of signposting may annoy some players.

CVG: 9.2/10

With its combination of teasing puzzles, great characters, entertaining combat and so many reasons to jump back in and explore its theme park worlds, Luigi's Mansion 2 improves on everything you wanted it to and is perfectly attuned to the series' new home on 3DS.

ScrewAttack: 7.5/10

Fast forward to the present day and the surprise 3DS sequel, though similar to its predecessor in many ways, was one that I had been cautiously optimistic about. Turns out, there's no reason for caution here; Luigi's Mansion: Dark Moon is the fresh air I was hoping it to be.

Telegraph: 5/5

The Zelda comparisons are down to design philosophy, rather than Luigi’s Mansion providing a like-for-like experience. In fact, this is a game unlike any other. Incomparable, yet instantly accessible. The best Nintendo games have a knack of providing the perfect worlds for the perfect heroes, and this is the foundation on which Luigi's Mansion is built. Cracking.

Joystiq: 3.5/5

Luigi's Mansion: Dark Moon is a bit like Luigi himself: charming, goofy and utterly affable. The core mechanic of catching ghosts is solid and exciting, and the environments are absolutely worth seeing and exploring. It's got heart, but after trudging through all five of its locales, you may wind up feeling a little like a bedraggled, battle-worn ghostbuster yourself.

Giant Bomb: 4/5

Dark Moon takes what was basically a really good sketch of a game in the original Luigi's Mansion, and fleshes it out into a more robust, and arguably far more entertaining romp, all while retaining the distinctive flavor of that first game. It might overstay its welcome a bit, but I doubt anyone who loved the original Luigi's Mansion in spite of its paltry adventure length will complain too terribly much about having a lot of Luigi's Mansion to play. Especially when it's as well executed as Dark Moon is.

GamesTM: 9/10 (currently no web version)

GameXplain: 4.5/5 sp; 3.5/5 mp (video review)

It's simply a joy end-to-end, which is realized through a constant supply of smart puzzles, new mechanics, and an unwavering attention to detail

It not only retains the gameplay and personality of the original game, but improves upon it in many ways."

Gametrailers: 9.3/10 (video review)

3DS owners will be hard pressed not to cut Luigi just a little more respect

Dark Moon ends up beign a perfect excuse to bring Mario's brother back into the limelight. Every haunted rooms seems to breathe when an inventive charm and delicate attention to detail that makes this game one of the best reasons to own a 3DS.

Various published reviews by GAFfers (or sites they belong to) who posted here:

OneHitPixel: A-

The year of Luigi then is off to a strong start, with one of the best looking gameplay experiences found on the 3DS to date, even if it is a tad too easy. Maybe the younger brother of Mario should spend some more time in the limelight.

Invisible Gamer: A-

While Luigi’s Mansion: Dark Moon comes up short in a handful of areas, it is, by and large, another sterling example of what makes this company so essential to the gaming landscape. In an era where the vast majority of high profile games offer variations on the same theme, Nintendo quietly toils away at its own thing, reminding us that the simple joy of losing ourselves in a fantasy world is still just as relevant today as it has always been

God is a Geek: 9/10

Luigi’s Mansion 2 is a unique gem of a game. A substantial gem of a game. A welcome gem of a game. Everyone with a 3DS owes it to themselves to pick up the hoover and torch and spend some long overdue time with Luigi. Terrified, skittish, adorable Luigi.

vgnetwork.it: 9.5/10

Luigi's Mansion 2 is an incredibly entertaining game, perfectly fitting the console on which it is running. Hunting ghosts and solving enemies in this Next Level Games title is pure genius and a fantastic evolution from the already awesome original game. If we add a superb technical realization and a brilliant OST, Luigi's Mansion 2 results arguably the best title for the 3DS, challenging the likes of Kid Icarus Uprising and Super Mario 3D Land.

Also:
Giant Bomb Quick Look (Patrick/Brad, 35:27)

 

[SteeloDMZ]

year of the weegee starts.

 

[GameE]

Gametrailers 9.3
http://www.gametrailers.com/reviews/3th2ir/luigi-s-mansion--dark-moon-review

 

[ShineALight]

The Escapist 4.5/5: http://www.escapistmagazine.com/art...=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter&utm_campaign=news
Game Informer 8.5: https://www.gameinformer.com/games/...ive/2013/03/21/bustin-makes-me-feel-good.aspx
EGM 8.5: http://www.egmnow.com/articles/reviews/egm-review-luigis-mansion-dark-moon/
GamesRadar: http://www.gamesradar.com/luigis-mansion-dark-moon-review/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter
TechnoBuffalo 9.0: http://www.technobuffalo.com/review...ew/?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter
ScrewAttack 7.5: http://www.screwattack.com/reviews/review-luigis-mansion-dark-moon
CVG 9.2: http://www.computerandvideogames.co...-utterly-phantastic-review/?page=2#top_banner

 

[equippedwithtowel]

The Escapist - 4.5/5
http://www.escapistmagazine.com/art...ansion-Dark-Moon-Review-Second-Player-No-More
edit: missed it by that much

 

[Gonzo The Great]

Polygon 7/10

Horrible review.

"ghosts have lost their motivations and personalities"
"Luigi's Mansion: Dark Moon lacks persistent lobbies and voice chat"

7/10

 

[The Wheel of Fortune]

wat Polygon 7. Will read.

GameXplain Single Player 4.5/5 -- Multiplayer 3.5/5
Edit: Heh, beaten by OP.

 

[eternalb]

Horrible review.

"ghosts have lost their motivations and personalities"
"Luigi's Mansion: Dark Moon lacks persistent lobbies and voice chat"

7/10

What? Lost their motivation? They literally have more than in the first game.

I much preferred GameXplain and Destructoid's reviews

 

[GameE]

Horrible review.

"ghosts have lost their motivations and personalities"
"Luigi's Mansion: Dark Moon lacks persistent lobbies and voice chat"

7/10

Polygon has shit reviews, what else is new

 

[Chromie]

Polygon has shit reviews, what else is new

But they gave SimCity a 9.5/10! Nintendo clearly needs to give them a check.

 

[SteeloDMZ]

Horrible review.

"ghosts have lost their motivations and personalities"
"Luigi's Mansion: Dark Moon lacks persistent lobbies and voice chat"

7/10

haha. Who did this review?

 

[DevelopmentArrested]

So according to Polygon, it's a much better game than the first but ghosts have no personalities so 7/10. What an awful website.

 

[Hot Coldman]

Polygon has shit reviews, what else is new

Don't worry, they can always edit it.

 

[Shinta]

Polygon has shit reviews, what else is new

It's the worst part of the site. Their reviews are not good.

 

[GameE]

Game informer 8.5
https://www.gameinformer.com/games/...ive/2013/03/21/bustin-makes-me-feel-good.aspx

 

[Kouriozan]

Horrible review.

"ghosts have lost their motivations and personalities"
"Luigi's Mansion: Dark Moon lacks persistent lobbies and voice chat"

7/10

:lol
Is this a joke review?

 

[Karish]

Horrible review.

"ghosts have lost their motivations and personalities"
"Luigi's Mansion: Dark Moon lacks persistent lobbies and voice chat"

7/10

STOP

 

[peanutbutterlatte]

It's the worst part of the site. Their reviews are not good.

Really? I haven't heard that the other parts are substantially great! 7/10 isn't bad, but their reasoning is waaay off.

 

[Gonzo The Great]

STOP

What they said is factually incorrect.

 

[Hero of Canton]

lf only you could talk to these ghosts, then perhaps you could try and make friends with them, form alliances… Now, that would be interesting. [7]

 

[Neuromancer]

Edge - 8/10 (source, review not posted online yet)

 

[MikeXXIeaf]

Don't worry about Polygon, I guarantee they know they underscored it and just want attention for being "the odd man out".

 

[nusilver]

Here's the Invisible Gamer review, which none of you will have ever heard of. But you should have, damnit, because we're awesome!

http://www.invisiblegamer.net/2013/03/luigis-mansion-dark-moon-review/

 

[eternalb]

lf only you could talk to these ghosts, then perhaps you could try and make friends with them, form alliances… Now, that would be interesting. [7]

Hahaha. I still can't even comprehend that quote

 

[peanutbutterlatte]

Also, Official Nintendo Magazine UK - 92% (Again, review not actually published online as of yet)

 

[Meelow]

Horrible review.

"ghosts have lost their motivations and personalities"
"Luigi's Mansion: Dark Moon lacks persistent lobbies and voice chat"

7/10

In Luigi's Mansion 1 the ghosts didn't really have any personality either...Lol

 

[Neuromancer]

Horrible review.

"ghosts have lost their motivations and personalities"
"Luigi's Mansion: Dark Moon lacks persistent lobbies and voice chat"

7/10

 

[Shinta]

Really? I haven't heard that the other parts are substantially great! 7/10 isn't bad, but their reasoning is waaay off.

Their features are pretty good. The news is adequate, about the same as every place else.

Their reviews, way worse.

 

[Kouriozan]

That Polygon review is mostly fine, but some of the argument are weird.

 

[NotLiquid]

They said this year would be the Year of the Snake.

The Green L on his head thirsts for it's blood.

 

[Sinthetic]

Looking very nice indeed so far.

 

[peanutbutterlatte]

In many ways, Dark Moon's ScareScraper is one of the best multiplayer modes I've ever played

Sounds like Miyamato was indeed pleased!

 

[Duster]

GamesTM gave it a 9, I don't have a proper source as it's in the magazine but hopefully this will do.
http://mynintendonews.com/2013/03/17/gamestm-awards-luigis-mansion-dark-moon-910/

 

[SteeloDMZ]

Awesome scores all around. Next Level Games must be opening bottles of champagne because the scores and impressive sales.

 

[Nibel]

Awesome scores all around. Next Level Games must be opening bottles of champagne because the scores and impressive sales.

What do we know of the sales so far?

 

[peanutbutterlatte]

The Escapist Magazine's review uses screenshots exclusively from the first game. D'oh! They also describe the game as a "platformer" numerous times, which is pretty disingenuous.

 

[djhsecondnature]

Got our review here.

One Hit Pixel - 'A-'

http://onehitpixel.com/review/luigis-mansion-2

 

[Gonzo The Great]

Canadian Online Gamers - 9/10
Game Revolution - 8/10
Venture Beat - 8/10

 

[grimshawish]

No worries Polygon will have awarded 10.5 by the end of the week.

 

[SteeloDMZ]

What do we know of the sales so far?

People in the mc thread are saying the game is performing extremelly well in Japan.

 

[NotLiquid]

What do we know of the sales so far?

A very, very good Japan opening allegedly.

We have already some reports of Luigi's Mansion 2 explosive sales.

According to GamesMaya a clear Victory for Luigi's Mansion against One Piece 2 in his store.

http://gamesmaya.blog98.fc2.com/

Azalyn reported higher sales than New Super Mario 2 in his store.

 

[dwu8991]

The polygon review was really good as always - They just deduct a few points based on sammy ghosts

 

[GRW810]

Delighted the reviews and sales ate looking good. Cannot wait to play this day one.

 

[El Odio]

Ghosts don't have any more personality? Unless they're talking about the portrait ghosts all the ghosts in the first game had the same exact face but just came in different colors. For dark moon we've seen angry brutes and prankster looking ghosts. With different faces to boot!

 

[equippedwithtowel]

The polygon review was really good as always - They just deduct a few points based on sammy ghosts

So your saying it'll be 9.0 by the end of the week.

 

[eternalb]

Ghosts don't have any more personality? Unless they're talking about the portrait ghosts all the ghosts in the first game had the same exact face but just came in different colors. For dark moon we've seen angry brutes and prankster looking ghosts. With different faces to boot!

Indeed. It actually not not make any sense.

 

[dwu8991]

So your saying it'll be 9.0 by the end of the week.

Depite the low score, the Polygon review was the best in terms of being informative and critical from a gameplay point of view.

 

[ShineALight]

GameRevolution 4/5: http://www.gamerevolution.com/review/luigis-mansion-dark-moon
NowGamer 9.0: http://www.nowgamer.com/3ds/3ds-reviews/1855171/luigis_mansion_2_dark_moon_review.html

 

[eternalb]

Depite the low score, the Polygon review was the best in terms of being informative and critical.

Making up a reason that does not make sense doesn't count as "critical." And several of the other reviews were still critical while making points that actually made sense.

 

[jmls1121]

that polygon review and the reasoning behind it is straight up embarrassing.