There’s always a place for perfectly average games. Everyone always sets up new releases as either the greatest or absolute garbage, and those that are just okay end up tossed aside. Exclusives are particularly susceptible, either a system seller or not worth looking at. Luigi’s Mansion 3 is exactly that kind of game. While a fun romp through a well designed setting, it doesn’t set itself apart or excel in any way.

The plot is simple, and follows closely in the footsteps of its predecessors. Luigi won a contest for a week long stay at the luxurious Last Resort Hotel, and brings the Mario Bros gang along. Shockingly, this turns out to be a trap set by an old foe for the Mario Bros. Before long, the Hotel is revealed to be a haven for spooky ghosts, and everyone but Luigi is captured and imprisoned. Once again, it’s up to Luigi, assisted by Professor E. Gadd’s technology, to bust some ghosts and prove who’s the real hero.

General gameplay is just as similar to its predecessors, as is the story. You move throughout each level of the hotel, each with their own wildly varying themes. Room by room, you fight a variety of ghosts, solve puzzles collect a bunch of money, and fight bosses to unlock access to higher levels of the hotel. It’s a simple, yet satisfying game loop that reminded me (in a good way) of a Lego game. Playing in two-player co-op makes it feel especially similar.

One player plays as Luigi and the other as Gooigi, a goo creation of E. Gadd. In addition to everything Luigi can do, Gooigi is capable of moving through pipes and grates allowing access to places beyond your normal reach. However, water is instant death and you can’t open doors. Together you explore and solve puzzles throughout the hotel, and most puzzles require input from both characters. In single-player you can switch between characters with a single button (once again, like a Lego game) in order to solve all the puzzles no problem. Co-op is definitely the most fun way to play however, and helps stave off how repetitive the combat can get and the ease of which you’ll solve most puzzles.

Combat on its own is very fun, if not a bit too simple. You use your flashlight to stun ghosts making them tangible. Then you use the Poltergust G-00 to suck up ghosts while slamming them around with the brand new Slam function. You can also blow away ghosts that get too close now too. Finally, there’s the Burst function that sends out a 360 degree blast that pushes enemies away. All in all, combat is the most fun it’s ever been in the franchise, let down only by the disappointing lack of enemy variety. There’s only a handful of different ghost mobs, and they are all defeated in the same general ways. Bosses are usually, but not always, exceptions, but there’s not enough of them.

Still, combat isn’t the only thing you’re doing and the other parts of the game hold up quite well. The hotel is very well designed, with each level having it’s own theme. There’s a shopping center level, a pyramid level, a level based on movie sets, and many more. Each level feels distinct with its own set of collectibles to find, making exploration feel fresh each time you progress to a new area. Similarly, puzzles are equally varied, and though most to tend to lean towards the easier side, they are at least entertaining. A few boss encounters make clever use of the level’s environments, a great example of the game’s mechanics coming together.

Last but not least are the game’s multiplayer components. Firstly there’s the ScreamPark, a set of three minigames that offer some fun quick local multiplayer fun. There is a quick ghost hunt mode, a coin collect mode, and a mode where you use the Poltergust to arm a cannon to shoot at targets for the highest score. The meat of multiplayer is the ScareScraper however, which returns from the last installment Luigi’s Mansion: Dark Moon.

In it, 1-8 players progress through randomized levels in order to get as far as they can. Room layout, objectives, treasure and ghost locations, everything is fully randomized each run making for high replayability. This was actually some of the most fun I had with the game, both in two-player couch co-op and online with a full party. Be warned though, it’s uncompromisingly difficult. Every second counts, and there’s a learning curve to discovering the best way to play each objective and explore each floor. Nintendo has said that all DLC for Luigi’s Mansion 3 will be multiplayer focused, and while I was originally skeptical I’m now quite excited to see how they will expand it. A dedicated progression system would be a very neat addition that could make this a legitimate multiplayer title.

Luigi’s Mansion 3 is a very enjoyably game. Its combat is fun, exploration satisfying, and its puzzles are interesting. Enemy variety may be lacking and puzzles may be too easy at times, but the overall package still shines regardless of flaws, especially when playing co-op. The multiplayer was also surprisingly a lot of fun, where the game’s weaknesses are negligible and the roguelike nature of the ScreamScraper keeps you coming back for more. It may not be the greatest action-adventure game ever made, but it’s still a fun way to spend a few nights with some friends.

Graphics: 8.0 Par for the course with Nintendo exclusives, things look and perform far better than you would expect.	Gameplay: 7.0 Combat is fun if simple, though enemy variety is greatly lacking. The interesting level design makes up for it.
Sound: 6.0 The soundtrack is forgettable, but it works well with each hotel level.	Fun Factor: 7.5 It’s not revolutionary, but it’s entertaining nonetheless. Multiplayer is especially fun, either local or online.
Final Verdict: 7.5

Luigi’s Mansion 3 is available now on Nintendo Switch.

Reviewed on Nintendo Switch.