Poltergeist: A Pixelated Horror

 PlayStation Vita
Metascore
tbd

No score yet - based on 3 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1 out of 3
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 3
  3. Negative: 0 out of 3
  1. Gaming Age
    Nov 13, 2014
    100
    Of course, they probably don't want words like "charming" or "lovely" thrown around when describing a game that is, ultimately, supposed to be horror-ish, albeit in the absolute loosest sense of that term. But I don't care: I've fallen for Poltergeist: A Pixelated Horror hard, and I'm not afraid to say that it's charmed the pants off me. Give it a chance, and I have no doubt it will do the same for you.
  2. Brash Games
    Aug 30, 2015
    70
    This game never pretends to be anything other than what it is. It’s a quaint yet challenging puzzle game that hit’s at the sadistic side of every gamer that gets a vicarious thrill out of torturing NPCs.
  3. The Vita Lounge
    Nov 27, 2014
    66
    A fun and clever puzzle game that will haunt your mind. Beneath its simplistic look is a game full of charm and challenges. Glitchy Pixel's slow paced puzzler is a great addition to the Vita's ever growing library of games.

User Reviews

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User Score
7.8

Generally favorable reviews- based on 5 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 4 out of 5
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 5
  3. Negative: 0 out of 5
  1. FriedConsole
    Nov 3, 2014
    8
    Really fun puzzle game. Use touch controls to place certain object at certain points to scare different characters away from the house. YouReally fun puzzle game. Use touch controls to place certain object at certain points to scare different characters away from the house. You have to do a lot of trial and error to figure out how the different objects will work with different characters that can often be immune. Can be challenging. Graphics and presentation are not very good. The music is super annoying. Great game to casually play while watching TV.… Full Review »
  2. Psvitalife
    Jan 21, 2015
    8
    As one of the most unique game ideas i have come across,this actually caught off guard. This is why you should never judge a game based solelyAs one of the most unique game ideas i have come across,this actually caught off guard. This is why you should never judge a game based solely on graphics,you miss out on gems such as this. As much as I love my fighters,shooters,racers,and RPGs,the fact that someone actually sat down and thought this up gives one new faith in creativity of the videogame industry. The guys at Glitchy Pixel are to thank for this.

    (For more information about Glitchy Pixel click HERE! )

    "Poltergeist: a Pixelated Horror" a puzzle/strategy haunting game, was released in late October 2014,right before Halloween. Originally made as a Steam title,but was later ported to the Playstation Vita.

    You are Henry Night, a man who loves his home so much he is protecting his beloved mansion even beyond the grave, by scaring away anyone who enters!. You are given a variety of ghostly powers to accomplish this (throwing objects,possession,noises.etc.), but only a limited number of opportunities to use them,once you exhaust your power options,its mission failed. A certain amount of strategy and pre-planning needs to go into the execution of your haunting efforts.
    The game is mostly of the point-and-click variety,although you can also use the d-pad/analog sticks to navigate and X to confirm. There are 60 levels across 4 time periods, and at the end of each time period there are one or two "bosses" who are not scared so easily by ghosts. These can range from witches, ghost hunters, or a magician. Each level needs to be planned out based on the number of occupants in the house, and their location,as well as the powers at your disposal.
    The pixelated,dull-colored graphical style for a game like this have the desired effect.Even with the puzzle elements,it's still a horror game after all. As far a character detail you can see just enough to tell the facial expressions of the characters, that along with thought bubbles and 3-point meters next to their heads tells you if the occupant is "scared" or "okay". Once they are scared enough they run out of the house, screaming in horror. The mansion is presented in a "see-through the walls" 3/4 camera angle point of view,allowing the player to easy navigate the mansion to interact with all the rooms and people inside. Once you select a ghost power to use, you must next choose which room to use it in. Some instances require you to scare all the inhabitants of the house into one room, which can cause a challenge because they may have different levels of resistance to your haunting efforts.
    Musical scores here are masterful. Simple,yet exactly what is needed to set the tone for the game. You may be reminded of your favorite "haunted house" type of movie of the 90's.

    Good: Unique idea, perfect musical tones, easy to play.
    Bad: Could have used a camera angle change option in addition to the existing zoom in/out.
    Overall: "Poltergeist" scores all the points for originality, and fun.Who doesn't want to play a ghost in a game,scaring people?. Whoever loves new concepts this game is just for you.    … Full Review »
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