Grabbed by the Ghoulies

 Xbox
User Score
7.8

Generally favorable reviews- based on 47 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 33 out of 47
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 47
  3. Negative: 7 out of 47
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  1. Manmade3
    Dec 23, 2011
    9
    This may be a tad bias of a score for this game but whatever. This was my second favorite Xbox game. For kids who aren't ape about graphics, or gameplay (or story for that matter), this game is hours of fun. It was the first game where I really got to interact with just about every non background piece of the environment and beat stuff to a pulp with it! If your just looking for somethingThis may be a tad bias of a score for this game but whatever. This was my second favorite Xbox game. For kids who aren't ape about graphics, or gameplay (or story for that matter), this game is hours of fun. It was the first game where I really got to interact with just about every non background piece of the environment and beat stuff to a pulp with it! If your just looking for something to pass the time, not an Illiad of gaming, this is a great buy.… Expand
  2. GamecubeLover
    Aug 6, 2016
    7
    What happened to Rare? I mean this game is fine but we made critical acclaimed games but now rare get mixed reviews and their games to be strange and generic.
  3. AlfredoNieto
    Oct 27, 2020
    10
    Dont Pay attention to Bad Reviews this is a Classic for the original xbox its a very fun game story is no the best but the gameplay and the music, its awesome!!!
  4. storygamer
    Oct 18, 2020
    7
    I can´t understand all the hate Grabbed By The Ghoulies had to face. Certainly this is by far not the best game the cult studio Rare has published, but it´s a lot of fun! Especially the atmosphere is odd and convincing. The gameplay and graphics take getting used to but playing Grabbed By The Ghoulies with some friends and beer guarantees a hilarious evening!
  5. KrisN.
    Jan 17, 2004
    4
    Trash, pure and simple. I was always in the small "Rare sucks" camp, and this game if anything seems to prove my point. Rare's games are tossed-together grabfests with 227 various sorts of items that open doors, unlock secrets, or open crappy minigames; and let's not forget the cartoon eyes on any and all inanimate objects. Fights are always repetive and enemies are extremely Trash, pure and simple. I was always in the small "Rare sucks" camp, and this game if anything seems to prove my point. Rare's games are tossed-together grabfests with 227 various sorts of items that open doors, unlock secrets, or open crappy minigames; and let's not forget the cartoon eyes on any and all inanimate objects. Fights are always repetive and enemies are extremely cheap, killing you quickly and forcing you to backtrack. Making the player backtrack to increase game time is an outmoded design technique that really needs to curl up and die. If Rare continues to put out this kind of shovelware they very well might.… Expand
  6. CooperSucks
    Jul 22, 2004
    1
    Rare is now known for 3 games. The amazingly addicting Donky Kong Country for GBA, the awesome goldeneye for N64 and the worst game ever Grabbed by the ghoulies for Xbox. The graphics are amazingly bad, the controls are cursed, and the gameplay is awful. The only fun I had with this cursed beast is kicking the butler in the ghoulies, making cooper (the amazingly dorky protagonist) hump Rare is now known for 3 games. The amazingly addicting Donky Kong Country for GBA, the awesome goldeneye for N64 and the worst game ever Grabbed by the ghoulies for Xbox. The graphics are amazingly bad, the controls are cursed, and the gameplay is awful. The only fun I had with this cursed beast is kicking the butler in the ghoulies, making cooper (the amazingly dorky protagonist) hump plants an whatching his a$$ get kicked by the bada$$ imps. Those little dudes kick a$$!… Expand
  7. Sam
    Jun 25, 2006
    0
    A horrid, ugly, dorky, and nonetheless repetetive disaster that is nothing more than a collection of poor gameplay elements left completely unrealized.
  8. gersLo
    Jan 19, 2019
    10
    ABSOLUTE masterpiece created by Rare. This game is dank to the Frank to the Frank to the dank
  9. JamesI.
    Oct 27, 2003
    8
    Everyone seems to have a different opinion about the controls of this game- I think they're ok, simple, intuitive, although a bit sluggish. It's nice to see a visually impressive, funny game on the Box that's made for kids/girlfriends. And people who say that the gameplay's repetative probably haven't played the later levels, where the challanges vary considerably.
  10. Heather
    Feb 8, 2004
    9
    ONLY the cutest game ever! I totaly fell in love with it. It has great graphics and the game play is awesome! True, It may be a little repetitive in some areas but the wide varitey and variations of characters, rooms and challanges makes up for it. Really it is a fun game, and the difficulty is just right.....until you reach the end that is. The Barron is impossible to defeat, so I have ONLY the cutest game ever! I totaly fell in love with it. It has great graphics and the game play is awesome! True, It may be a little repetitive in some areas but the wide varitey and variations of characters, rooms and challanges makes up for it. Really it is a fun game, and the difficulty is just right.....until you reach the end that is. The Barron is impossible to defeat, so I have found. (If anyone has beat it, please tell me how.) But honestly people try the game for yourself. It's one of those addicting, can't put it down kinda games. … Expand
  11. SteveE.
    Nov 28, 2003
    7
    Graphics and presentation top class gameplay average.
  12. KrainA.
    Oct 25, 2003
    9
    Gameplay is nothing special, controls are so simplistic that it is perfect for a child. Stil i appreciated the humor... typical RARE. I loved those funny creatures, animation and funny moments. Perfect for kids and people that just want a simplistic game where you can relax.
  13. Uter
    Jan 14, 2004
    3
    I believe this is the worst Rare game ever made. The combat is ultra repetitive and boring to begin with. But even with all that, it's still got a great and fun style to it. But the gameplay is what matters, and it's terrible here.
  14. Me
    Feb 8, 2004
    10
    100 is all I can say its the best ever.
  15. [Anonymous]
    May 12, 2004
    8
    Good game, but not as good as most Rare titles.
  16. Sickboy
    Jul 13, 2004
    8
    I thought this game was given pretty harsh ratings from most magazines/websites. This initially deterred me from buying the game but because of its recent reduction in price, I thought I would give it a bash. This turned out to be a really fun game... in small doses. Yes it is somewhat repetetive but then so are most rpgs when it comes to fighting. The graphics are incredible as are the I thought this game was given pretty harsh ratings from most magazines/websites. This initially deterred me from buying the game but because of its recent reduction in price, I thought I would give it a bash. This turned out to be a really fun game... in small doses. Yes it is somewhat repetetive but then so are most rpgs when it comes to fighting. The graphics are incredible as are the sounds, reminiscent of old lucasarts games such as monkey island. In fact, I could swear the music was made by the same person who did monkey island music. I'm probably wrong but in any case, I think the music really sets the atmosphere well. I'd say definitely worth a play or two considering the reduced price!… Expand
  17. J.Webb
    Dec 25, 2003
    7
    This game has entertainment in it. It's a short adventure game with some challenges that has a good eplay value. Definitely worth a try!
  18. TheQuietGamer
    Nov 1, 2021
    8
    *Played via Rare Replay*

    I am in no way an Xbox hater, but if there is one thing that hurt the British juggernaut Rare after they looked unstoppable in the mid & late '90s it was getting acquired by Microsoft. Following a string of high profile disappointments the original founders jumped ship and those who remained got put on Kinect duty, where the studio's reputation faded to the    *Played via Rare Replay*

    I am in no way an Xbox hater, but if there is one thing that hurt the British juggernaut Rare after they looked unstoppable in the mid & late '90s it was getting acquired by Microsoft. Following a string of high profile disappointments the original founders jumped ship and those who remained got put on Kinect duty, where the studio's reputation faded to the point where they don't even have a presence in present day gaming outside of their online pirate adventure simulator Sea of Thieves.

    One such stumbling block responsible for that was this 2003 horror-themed brawler that sees you battling your way through a maniacal weirdo's monster-filled mansion in an effort to save your girlfriend like some family-friendly version of Splatterhouse. It was a bit of a misfire with professional critics and didn't quite have the developer's typical sense of personality or style. Yet, despite its mediocre reception I actually think there's a lot to love here.

    There are definitely a few odd design choices, such as how the camera is controlled with the left and right triggers while the second analog stick is used to attack. For the most part though it's a fairly straightforward experience. As you head towards your goals you'll learn that each section of the estate you pass through comes with a challenge that must be completed before you can progress and turns what would otherwise be normal combat scenarios into miniature puzzles as you try to contend with whatever rules have been put in place. The variety of modifiers, enemy types, and consumables have been mixed and matched in a number of ways to ensure that no two segments feel identical. A huge plus as the grounds you'll be traipsing over end up not being as big as they at first seem, so you'll be revisiting the same rooms over and over again. The fact that you'll encounter different obstacles and item placements every time prevents a repetitive vibe from ever truly setting in even when your surroundings start to look familiar.

    If there's one aspect I wish I could have enjoyed more about the title it would have to be its persona. Don't get me wrong I LOVED the setting and motif despite areas of the environment getting a touch overly traversed as they both proved a perfect fit for my October season. The story and accompanying comic book panel cutscenes annoyed me however, as the writing lacks the comedic wit I expect from the creators of Banjo-Kazooie and Conker. So my enjoyment comes exclusively from the gameplay.

    Between Viva Piñata, Kameo, and now this I can confidently state for certain that Rare did in fact lose a level of quality back in 2002 when they were bought out by their current parent company. Each of the games I just mentioned (all of which I am a fan of) have their rough edges where you see the hints of underdeveloped ideas and cut concepts. If this is as far as they were destined to fall before getting stuck in their motion-sensing sports compilation phase though, then I wish they would go back to putting out products of this caliber as opposed to the whole bunch of nothing they're working on these days. "Ghoulies" may not match anything from the N64 height of the team's career, but it is still more creative, imaginative, and fun than the majority of what we've gotten since their relative absence.

    8.6/10    … Expand
  19. derangedcrowd
    Nov 23, 2017
    10
    I give this game a genuine 10/10, not because of nostalgia, but because I re-played this game through its entirety, and I loved every minute of it. The game is challenging, yet rewarding; a pinnacle game of its time. It shines in it's score of music (Grant Kirkhope), and it shines in its graphics and attention to detail. The fighting system is probably my favorite part of the experience;I give this game a genuine 10/10, not because of nostalgia, but because I re-played this game through its entirety, and I loved every minute of it. The game is challenging, yet rewarding; a pinnacle game of its time. It shines in it's score of music (Grant Kirkhope), and it shines in its graphics and attention to detail. The fighting system is probably my favorite part of the experience; it's something totally crazy that I haven't seen in any games in a very long time. Grabbed by the Ghoulies is a game that still stands as a fun and artistically intriguing game, even to this day.… Expand
  20. gzarco
    Oct 12, 2018
    7
    Took me a while to remember how this game was called, but now that I do, I'll surely give it another try.
  21. GrimStomper
    Apr 23, 2019
    8
    It's a pretty fun game. The graphics hold up quite well considering it's a game from 2003 (it was a good idea for them to go for cartoon graphics as opposed to trying to be "realistic"), the gameplay can get repetitive but there is still a level of enjoyment to the game. Each hit from Cooper feels powerful and it's satisfying to defeat a large ghoulie or complete a difficult room. TheIt's a pretty fun game. The graphics hold up quite well considering it's a game from 2003 (it was a good idea for them to go for cartoon graphics as opposed to trying to be "realistic"), the gameplay can get repetitive but there is still a level of enjoyment to the game. Each hit from Cooper feels powerful and it's satisfying to defeat a large ghoulie or complete a difficult room. The story itself and its cutscenes is enjoyable to follow with the typical Rare charm mixed in (dirty jokes and all that).

    At the same time I feel like the game had a lot left to be desired to make it a better Rare game. The game itself isn't long (you can beat it in one sitting if you really wanted to) and could've been improved if the game was longer with added gameplay elements mixed in to keep the game enjoyable. Another thing that hurts the game is the linear style of it. I would've loved to explore the mansion on my own and do side missions for bonus items or something.

    In the end I say this game is very underrated and I believe its because of Rare being bought by Microsoft. Maybe if the game was on the Gamecube they would've had more time to make the game enjoyable and be seen better by critics and players alike. Still I had fun with this game and would be recommended to those who want to introduce their kids to video games, fans of 3D beat-'em-ups, and (of course) fans of (old) Rareware.    … Expand
  22. TheZero
    Jul 9, 2020
    10
    Este es un juego es muy bueno pero fue bastante infravalorado en su momento, recientemente veo que cada vez hay más personas que le hacen justicia y ciertamente este título merece mayor reconocimiento
  23. Oshawott_soup
    Jan 31, 2022
    10
    I'm really confused by all the hate this game had,it's actually a really good game with amusing mechanics, an ok/kinda good graphic for the time and a lot of passion put into it. There are tons of different monsters and challenges that this game mixes together in an always well-thought way that makes the gameplay never really boring or still, and the fact that you can pick up/break almostI'm really confused by all the hate this game had,it's actually a really good game with amusing mechanics, an ok/kinda good graphic for the time and a lot of passion put into it. There are tons of different monsters and challenges that this game mixes together in an always well-thought way that makes the gameplay never really boring or still, and the fact that you can pick up/break almost every object in every room makes it feel like the world is actually real, and not just some kind of "wallpaper" put around you punching skeletons. One of the things that make this game special is the worldbuilding: the world around you is both dark and colourful at the same time,and often there are some kind of "joke scenarios" that could even make you laugh by how incredibly out and in place they are at the same time (for example,the dancing room. I love the dancing room).
    The only thing that can be annoying at times is the camera,which can become pretty confusing in some of the later stages of the game,but it's mostly fine for the rest of it.
    Come on, they made quick time events before it was cool, and not even in an annoying way! what do you expect more from a 2003 game?    … Expand
  24. DoktorPigman
    Sep 5, 2022
    10
    I'm surprised how well this game manages to look like a typical rare game.
    I think all the reviews of this game are wrong.
    The game is a lot of fun and even though it has repetitive gameplay it manages to be like a good game. if this game had been released on a nintendo console, surely everyone would have bought it, because this game wasn't microsoft's fault, but rare's. is almost the    I'm surprised how well this game manages to look like a typical rare game.
    I think all the reviews of this game are wrong.
    The game is a lot of fun and even though it has repetitive gameplay it manages to be like a good game.
    if this game had been released on a nintendo console,
    surely everyone would have bought it, because this game wasn't microsoft's fault, but rare's.
    is almost the perfect soiel for me.    … Expand

Awards & Rankings

24
#24 Most Discussed Xbox Game of 2003
2
#2 Most Shared Xbox Game of 2003

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
66

Mixed or average reviews - based on 42 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 18 out of 42
  2. Mixed: 18 out of 42
  3. Negative: 6 out of 42
  1. Weekly Famitsu
    78
    8 / 7 / 8 / 8 - 31 silver [Vol 803; 7 May 2004]
  2. Eurogamer
    80
    One of the most refreshing, fun and downright brilliant games I've played this year.
    Read full review
  3. Edge Magazine
    60
    Overall the greatest disappointments is the lack of any sense of exploration or accoplishment. And although the mansion is packed with wonders, there's no feeling of discovery since the game manoeuvres you neatly from one room to the next. It adds up to a world in which you never feel truly connected. [Christmas 2003, p.111]
See all critic reviews »