Luigi's Mansion 3 Retrospective

Introduction

• Luigi's Character: Often overshadowed by Mario, but shines in "Luigi's Mansion" series.
• Initial Spotlight: "Luigi's Mansion" on GameCube struggled to sell the console but gave Luigi the spotlight.
• Sequel: Years passed with no sequel expectation until 2013 with "Luigi's Mansion: Dark Moon".
• Biggest Change: "Luigi's Mansion 3" in 2019 changed the series significantly.

Development & Release

• Developer: Next Level Games (also developed "Dark Moon" and Mario Strikker game series).
• Original Platform: Began as a Wii U game, moved to Switch.

New Game Concepts

• Gooigi: A gooey version of Luigi, immune to certain hazards but vulnerable to water.
• Introduction Cutscene: Luigi, Mario, Peach, and the Toads are invited to a hotel.

Hotel Setting & Vibe

• Initial Atmosphere: Hotel initially appears inviting but changes drastically.
• Cartoony Horror: Emulates classic cartoon horror (Scooby-Doo) rather than genuine horror.

Central Gameplay Mechanics

• Poltergust: New model found in the basement, used for capturing ghosts.
• New Moves: Burst (air jump) and suction shot (shooting plunger).
• Virtual Boo: A humorous device mimicking the failed Virtual Boy console.

Floors & Themes

• Hotel Theme: Different themed floors allow for varied and creative design.
• Creative Floors: Includes a desert pyramid, a mini ocean with a pirate ship, and a film studio floor.

Boss Fights

• Diverse Bosses: (e.g., A. Wolfgeist, King MacFrights, Captain Fishook).
• Unique Encounters: Boss fights designed to utilize unique floor themes and character abilities.

Challenges & Collectibles

• Polterkitty: Tedious encounters that require chasing the cat across multiple floors.
• Gold & Gems: Collectibles provide fun exploration, various hidden treasures.

Gameplay Experience & Animation

• Expressive Characters: High level of animation and expressiveness in character interactions.
• Cutscenes: Dynamic and well-animated, enhancing the storytelling.
• Cartoony Elements: Many actions and scenes take inspiration from classic cartoons.

Final Boss & Ending

• Helen Gravely: Hotel owner, a significant antagonist working with King Boo.
• King Boo Fight: Takes place on the hotel's roof, features multiple phases and increasing difficulty.
• Resolution: Satisfying defeat of King Boo, rescuing Mario, Peach, and the Toads.

Legacy & Impact

• Innovation: Introduced a lot of new elements, enriching the series further.
• Character Expression: Sets a new standard for animation and character expressions in the series.
• Future of the Series: Hope for continued creativity and innovation, less of the tedious elements like Polterkitty.