Luigi's Mansion 2 : la chasse aux fantômes ressuscitée

Luigi's Mansion 2: Ghost Hunt Resurrected

1291 mots | Temps de lecture : 6 minute(s)

Twelve years after exploring his very first mansion, Luigi dons his trembling gloves once more in Luigi's Mansion 2 (Luigi's Mansion: Dark Moon in North America), released on Nintendo 3DS in March 2013. With vacuum on his back and big brother still missing, the green plumber returns to duty in the misty Evershade Valley.

Developed by Next Level Games, this installment reinvents the 2001 formula: several mansions instead of just one, an improved vacuum cleaner, and the series' very first multiplayer mode. This is a look back at a game revived a second time thanks to its HD version on Nintendo Switch in 2024.

Summary

Twelve Years of Waiting After the First Mansion

The very first Luigi's Mansion accompanied the launch of the GameCube in 2001, in a single mansion where Luigi was looking for the missing Mario. It took until March 2013 to see a true sequel arrive: it was the very first new installment in the series in twelve years.

The release staggered across regions: March 20, 2013 in Japan, March 24 in North America, and March 28, 2013 in Europe. The game was a Nintendo 3DS exclusive, designed for the portable console's dual screens and 3D functionality.

At the helm was Canadian studio Next Level Games, already known for its expertise at Nintendo. This same team would later create Luigi's Mansion 3, confirming its status as the designated developer for the timid brother.

Five Mansions Instead of One: A Redesigned Structure

The major revolution of this installment is its structure, spread across five distinct mansions, whereas the original took place in a single abode. Each mansion has its own atmosphere, puzzles, and boss, constantly refreshing the setting.

The starting point of the adventure: King Boo has shattered the Dark Moon, an artifact that soothed the temperament of the ghosts in Evershade Valley. Once the Dark Moon is reduced to fragments, the formerly peaceful spirits become hostile and scatter across the valley.

The game adopts a mission-based structure rather than continuous exploration: Luigi leaves, completes an objective, then returns to the lab. His quest involves recovering the Dark Moon fragments mansion after mansion to restore calm, while tracking down hidden ghosts along the way.

  • Five main mansions, each with its own theme and boss.
  • A mission-by-mission progression adapted for portable gaming.
  • A finale that pits Luigi against the illusion of King Boo.

The Poltergust 5000, Luigi's Ghost-Busting Weapon

To suck up the apparitions, Luigi relies on the Poltergust 5000, a new-generation vacuum cleaner that succeeds the Poltergust 3000 from the first game. The device is used to interact with the paranormal: you first dazzle the ghosts, then suck them into the tube.

This invention is the work of Professor Elvin Gadd (K. Tastroff in French), the eccentric scientist of the series. He is the one who calls Luigi back after the disaster and guides him remotely via a makeshift console, acting as the hero's eyes and ears throughout the adventure.

The gameplay is based on this remote relationship: the professor sends instructions, analyzes locations, and teleports Luigi from one point to another. The 3DS's touch screen and gyroscope are used to aim and handle the vacuum cleaner, enhancing immersion in these haunted corridors.

ScareScraper: The Series' First Multiplayer

A major new feature: Luigi's Mansion 2 is the first in the series to feature a multiplayer mode. Named ScareScraper (La Tour Hantée in French), it allows playing locally or online, with up to four players.

The principle: a squad of differently colored Luigis ascends the floors of a randomly generated tower together, in cooperation. The mode comes in several objectives, such as capturing all ghosts, tracking a target, or reaching the exit before the timer runs out.

This addition transforms a previously single-player game into a shared experience, significantly extending the title's lifespan beyond its main campaign.

Luigi's Mansion 2 HD: The Revival on Switch in 2024

Eleven years after its 3DS release, the game returns as Luigi's Mansion 2 HD, available on Nintendo Switch on June 27, 2024. This version modernizes the title with high-definition graphics adapted to the hybrid console's large screen.

Beyond the visual facelift, this re-release has primarily rekindled interest in an installment that remained confined to the 3DS, finally making it accessible to a new generation of players. The multiplayer mode is retained, still with up to four players locally or online.

Between its inventive structure, its wacky professor, and its cowardly humor, Luigi's Mansion 2 confirms that Mario's timid little brother fully deserves his own adventures.

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Luigi's Mansion 2 at a Glance

Name (FR / Europe) Luigi's Mansion 2
Name (EN / North America) Luigi's Mansion: Dark Moon
Name (JP) ルイージマンション2 (Luigi Mansion 2)
Developer Next Level Games
3DS Release (Europe) March 28, 2013
Switch HD Re-release June 27, 2024
Genre Adventure / Action, Ghost Hunting
Multiplayer ScareScraper, up to 4 players

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FAQ

  • What is the difference between Luigi's Mansion 2 and Dark Moon?
    They are the same game: it's called Luigi's Mansion 2 in Europe and Luigi's Mansion: Dark Moon in North America. Only the regional title changes; the content is identical.
  • Which consoles can you play Luigi's Mansion 2 on?
    Originally on Nintendo 3DS (2013), then on Nintendo Switch since June 27, 2024, thanks to the Luigi's Mansion 2 HD remaster.
  • How many mansions are in the game?
    Five main mansions, each with its own atmosphere, puzzles, and boss, compared to just one mansion in the 2001 GameCube title.
  • Does Luigi's Mansion 2 offer a multiplayer mode?
    Yes, it's the first in the series to offer one: the ScareScraper, playable locally and online with up to four players.
  • Who is the professor who helps Luigi in the game?
    Professor Elvin Gadd (K. Tastroff in French). He calls Luigi, provides him with the Poltergust 5000, and guides him remotely.
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