Goosebumps: HorrorLand
Score: 70% ESRB: Everyone 10+ Publisher: Scholastic Developer: Gusto Games Media: Cartridge/1 Players: 1 Genre: Arcade
Graphics & Sound: Its been quite a while since I've read a Goosebumps book, but the chance to explore a game based on the title was an interesting experience. Goosebumps: HorrorLand puts you in the horror-themed amusement park run by monsters, and for the most part, the game does a decent job portraying that fact. While the graphics themselves aren't as crisp as some other 3D games on the system, they do a good enough job showing you what's going on. Your character looks okay during his closeups, but with the camera pulled back as far as it is while running around the park, many of the sharp angles from the low polygon count go away. Even the in-game cutscenes that occur during various parts in the game (typically when you first go into a new part of the park) end up looking okay - nothing spectacular, just okay. Sound definitely feels appropriate. The speakers are constantly filled with music appropriate for the themed area you are in. For example, Carnival of Screams uses that (appropriately) eerie carny music. The sound effects are also mini-game appropriate. During the HorrorLand Derby, your ears are filled with the sounds of a horse race, while other games like the Calamity Canyon roller coaster have that distinct wooden coaster sound of a cart on tracks. For the most part, the sound adds just the right amount of atmosphere to the game to make it worthwhile. HorrorLand also uses voice acting for the cutscenes instead of having you read the story, which is always nice on the DS.
Gameplay: As mentioned above, Goosebumps: HorrorLand is a bunch of mini-games with a distinctly darker feel to them. The park itself is broken up into five locations, each one with its own theme. You start off in Carnival of Screams and move into areas like Vampire Village, Fever Swamp, Mad Labs and Terror Tombs (with Vampire Village acting as a hub between them). Each game offers Bronze, Silver and Gold "frights" (aka trophies) for earning a certain amount of points in that game. As you earn frights, you unlock other games and locations in the park. Games also cost tokens (of course). You start off with 20, but many games, like the Bumper Carnage or Wheel of Misfortune, can earn you more tokens. Even if you run out completely, each area has something you can search to find more tokens, so you never really run out. There is a good bit of variety in the mini-games as well. Each location has six games you can play, and while some of them are similar, there are enough differences to keep things from getting too boring. For instance, Dead Ringer has you using the stylus to spin a hammer until it has enough speed, then swiping down with it to hit the bell, while Fever Swamp's Anchors Away game has you using the stylus to spin an anchor and throw it. The input is basically the same, but the games are spaced out enough so you don't feel like you've just done the same thing (at least not as much). Besides running around, playing games and watching the cutscenes to see the game's fairly weak story (you and your friend get tickets, y'all go to the park and, of course, you get split up and have to figure out what is really going on and how to get out), Goosebumps: HorrorLand also offers a few side quests for collectors. One is Monster Cards; these playing card type collectibles contain various tidbits that people familiar with the Goosebumps books should find familiar. You will also have to find all six pieces of your shredded admittance ticket if you hope to get out of the park, but that isn't necessarily a "side quest" as it is your main objective.
Difficulty: As far as difficulty is concerned, Goosebumps: HorrorLand has a good mix of games so that everyone should be able to find some they are good at. But, of course, that also means others will be tougher. As it is, no matter what game you are playing, it will probably take a few tries to get the Gold in it, but there is enough of a mix to keep things from getting frustrating. Ultimately, HorrorLand comes down to persistence and patience if you want to earn all of the frights in the game. I typically had a hard time figuring out exactly what I was supposed to do the first time I came up to a game (despite the seemingly clear directions when you start it), but once you actually get into it, what you are trying to accomplish is rather straightforward. If nothing else, backing away from a game and coming back after you've tried some others seems to work well.
Game Mechanics: Goosebumps: HorrorLand's biggest feature really is its extensive use of the stylus and touch screen for use in a wide variety of games. Like I said earlier, games tend to share controls, but there are enough different control schemes across the whole game to keep those 30 mini-games from feeling too similar. Some games require you to use the stylus to flick balls, or shoot targets, while others use it for mini-golf. Another series of games (the Wheel of Misfortune and Mad Lab's Dreadmill among them) show your feet on the bottom screen and you have to quickly move the stylus between the two to run as fast as you can. Meanwhile, a few games, like Calamity Canyon, have you just use the the D-pad and face buttons to cause the coaster carts to tilt (though these typically have a Scream-O-Meter that you are trying to keep down as well). While I enjoyed playing the different mini-games in Goosebumps: HorrorLand, it definitely isn't for everyone. The graphics alone might turn away many players, but those who enjoy a variety of games in one package should find amusement in this theme park-themed game. As for needing to be a Goosebumps fan, that is definitely not the case. While fans will get a little extra out of it (especially those who are fans of the Goosebumps: HorrorLand books), it isn't required reading.
-J.R. Nip, GameVortex Communications AKA Chris Meyer
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