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Games

“Halloween The Game” – Single Player Review!

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We’re living in extraordinary times where our favorite horror titles are making a strong comeback—something we could only have dreamed of not too long ago. For example, did you ever think it would be possible to rampage through Crystal Lake as Jason on a bloodthirsty quest to slash, dismember, and mutilate those stupid enough to come to your lake? Or consider picking up a chainsaw and becoming Leatherface as you chase after unsuspecting hippies around the old homestead? Modern video games make that possible. Fuck’s sake, they even released a game based on Killer Klowns From Outer Space!

It was only a matter of time before the godfather of slashers got his own game, and Halloween is proving to be a massive hit among fans. Like many other horror titles, Halloween has already been a video game before, with kids turning on their Atari 2600 to survive a grueling night when he came home.

With its pixelated gore and a surprisingly impressive rendition of the classic theme that the franchise is known for (I mean, considering it’s on Atari!), it’s not a bad attempt—unlike Ghostbusters on the NES. However, it is really limited, much like many other horror titles from that era. Thankfully, those days seem to be behind us now.

Now, imagine actually running around Haddonfield on October 31st, as you and your friends try to warn the townsfolk about the horrors of the Boogeyman.

Or picture yourself picking up the knife and stalking your prey, ending one life after another in beautifully gruesome ways most befitting the horrors of the season.

The Night He Came Home

Michael Myers has already been introduced in DBD, allowing players to step into the shoes of The Shape. However, what Gun and Illfonic offer fans now is a different experience altogether. In this game, you don’t just play as The Shape; you truly become him. They immerse players right into the heart of the movie, similar to their previous titles.  

You will roam the dimly lit streets of sleepy Haddonfield, a town that many of us recognize from countless movie rewatches. In a way, it feels like a strange homecoming, as if we’re returning alongside Michael. However, this time, instead of just spectating, you spend your time breaking into people’s homes, where the real excitement begins. Before choosing your preferred method of killing, you have the option to take your time, utilizing your stalking ability, which secures Michael several advantageous kills. In my opinion, definitely worth it.

Once you choose your method of murder—whether you prefer a classic stabby-stab-kill or an environmental one—you’re free to unleash your creativity. A couple of memorable moments for me include using a kitchen stove (I smell bacon!) and a grandfather clock! I got overly excited when I realized the clock was even an option. The kills are both creative and cruel. Or if you prefer to explore Michael’s softer side, you can just hug someone to death.

In single-player mode, you play as Michael and track his steps from the moment he escapes Smith Grove’s mental institution. As The Shape, Michael has no face, meaning until you fetch the iconic mask, his face is blurred out, and this is how you start out. You’re walking around barefoot in nothing but a hospital gown, and thanks to an orderly stabbing you with a sedative, you don’t have your full capacity of powers yet. This allows the player a chance to learn all of Michael’s abilities gradually and also proves what an unstoppable force The Shape really is. The guy is drugged and still manages to kill anyone in his path!

With only a paper-thin gown as shielding and his bare hands, Michael kills the guards and orderlies in whatever order you so choose. You’re in command here, so as The Shape, this is your party. You’re rewarded for not letting a single victim escape and also for not being detected. You’re also given points for creative kills, so go hard on them.

The iconic (feel like I’m saying that a lot here) opening of the movie plays out as Dr. Loomis pulls up to the front gate and you’re tasked with taking the car and getting the fuck out of dodge. Right away we’re deep into John Carpenter’s classic lore, and this was all just the prologue.

You soon find yourself rampaging through the Rabbit in Red nightclub, with only a broken bottle as a weapon while they all have a meat cleaver, knives, and one bitch pulls out a gun. That’s ok though because in minutes Michael’s slaughtering everyone inside. Oh, that little shit who thinks he gets away, just you wait. Just you wait. Thinks he’s so badass on his bike. I wonder if that motorcycle of his will come in handy later on? Hmmm.

Afterward, you hunt down the car mechanic next door and don his jumpsuit. The Shape is nearly complete. This leads us to the outskirts of Haddonfield, where you pick up the mask from a convenience store. You then get to dispose of the silly clerk (in a very nasty way if you like) and continue carving your legacy into the face of your hometown.

As you progress, keep an eye out for Loomis tapes, which are reminiscent of the Pamela and Tommy tapes from Friday the 13th. These tapes expand on the lore and provide bonuses if you aim to achieve 100% completion. You can also revisit missions and butcher up the same assholes in whole new ways!  

However, I encountered a stupid-ass glitch where characters spawned on rooftops, appearing terrified but unable to move. Unfortunately, I couldn’t get up there to teach them a lesson. But remember how Jason could throw knives at his victims? Well, Michael can pick up lawn darts, which are great to have on hand to remind those rooftop cheaters who’s really in charge!

Many elements in this game will evoke nostalgia. As Michael, you’ll return home and replay the events of that fateful night when you were just a child, and your sister was upstairs, being all killable. She’s practically asking for it!

This is where the game truly shines. You get to experience some key moments from the film, but it’s important to note that you won’t relive every scene. You won’t be stalking babysitters during the day, standing outside Laurie’s classroom, or encountering Tommy. It’s not a frame-by-frame remake sort of deal. Instead, you’ll rampage through the town after sunset, adding your own bloody touch to the legacy, and there’s no one safe from you.

Also, as a fun fact, a lot of residents are watching TV in the safety of their living room when you make your way in. I took a moment to see what was on the old boob tube, and it was Nosferatu! I was impressed. If only it had been The Thing, right?

I’m trying to be as spoiler-free as possible, but do you get to hunt down some babysitters and reenact the terrible events of that Halloween night? Oh, I don’t know. Nods

Keep in mind that this is all from the single-player mode, and I haven’t even begun to explore the online matches. However, I’ve already jumped back into missions multiple times to relive the macabre moments we all love. For me, that alone was worth the cost of the game.  I’m also curious about what additions might come later.

Will there be sequel material later added similar to what we saw with Friday the 13th? Will we get new maps and additional characters? That being said,

Jaimie?

This idea would be intriguing, but I’m not sure how they could make it work considering she was just a little kid. People would shit out of their noses if Michael chased down and killed a child. However, I would love to see Jaimie Lloyd as a playable character.

Perhaps she could be an adult by now; I don’t think fans would mind, especially since many enjoyed Part 4, one of the most beloved horror sequels of all time. Just give us the damn clown girl! Try out an alternate timeline too where she’s the killer. Switch things up, and fans would love it.

The game just released, and I believe the potential is limitless. However, It’s well-known how Gunn and Illfonic were unable to complete everything they planned for the massively successful Friday the 13th game (due to that stupid lawsuit), which left many fans frustrated. We never got Uber Jason or the space station map. There were even rumors of Freddy being added to the game, allowing us a Freddy vs. Jason scenario which would’ve been superior to the fucking movie. Fans got screwed over!

Additionally, fans were disappointed to learn that Texas Chainsaw Massacre would not be receiving further attention. Because of this, many people are hesitant to invest their time and enthusiasm into their newest game, Halloween, and I can’t blame them. Piss on shit; I didn’t intend to buy this game for those very reasons. I took my chance though and, as you can tell, I’m a pretty happy camper.

The bottom line is the game’s already enjoyable and offers a lot for fans to appreciate. It’s had a good opening week and is proving to be strong despite the bugs and weird glitches we’ve been dealing with (damn rooftop cheaters). Patches have been rolling out to fix issues…and take away the sex players could have. If Sims can woohoo, why can’t there be woohooing in a horror game? So the game isn’t perfect, but still a lot of fun.

Besides, what better time to explore the shadows of Haddonfield than now, as we approach Halloween?

Now, when are we getting, oh I don’t know, the A Nightmare On Elm Street game?

Manic out!

Games

Ghostbusters The Video Game Review!

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Horror fans have it pretty good these days, especially if you love both movies and video games! Sure, yeah, alright, I know this isn’t anything necessarily new, and I can already see the incoming comments being pre-typed out. “But Manic,” you may say, “has an asteroid fallen on your cranium thus resulting in permanent brain damage? Hasn’t there always been horror movies adapted to video games and did they not suck mule bollocks?”Why yes, and yes, dear reader. We’ve indeed suffered through a slew of mighty titles of some of our most beloved spooky franchises only to be fooled into playing a joke of a game and duped big time.

And we did our damnedest to act like we were having fun. We sat before the flickering glow of our mega-ton square TV, and we suffered through Friday the 13th, Ghostbusters, and/or A Nightmare on Elm Street. Bless our sloppy hearts, we even acted like Jaws was fun ffs! We either rented these titles on Friday, and this was our entire weekend, or some of us were unfortunate enough to get these as a gift. In either case, we couldn’t help but feel maybe and just possibly a teensy bit fucked over. Horror franchise games on early consoles are now legendary for how rat-dick terrible they were thanks to the cancerous spitting of angry video game YouTube personalities. For too long, horror games were the butt of jokes and memes.

It would seem those days are thankfully long gone, as time has allowed many of these beloved IPs a chance at redemption, and today we’re covering one of the biggest redemption stories out there.

It’s time to answer the greatest question ever posed to our generation: who ya gonna call?

Years prior, back when we were all loving up on our newly acquired PS3 or Xbox 360, a seriously ambitious game came around and gave fans a serious jolt of very, very good nostalgia. That game was, of course, Ghostbusters!

Scepticism was already working its way against this one thanks to how godawful the NES experience was. It’s one I still have never beaten only because I don’t have the patience to deal with it. The NES title was (sighs) an attempt. It was something, sure. Not a good something, but it was something.

It lacked all the stuff that made Ghostbusters a pop icon. With the NES port, gone was all the character charisma, charm, and outright fun that made the movie a stellar hit. It’s also said that glimpsing mere screenshots from that old game can cause unexpected childhood PTSD in many nostalgia enthusiasts, so view with caution, dear reader.

All of the complaints (rightly) lobbied at the original game are entirely obsolete with this one, though. For the first time in forever, it felt like the gamer finally got to be a Ghostbuster. You wore the pack, and you joined our beloved goofballs on a massive adventure into the paranormal and fun world of Ghostbusters!

We came. We saw. We kicked its ass!

One of the biggest advantages of this project is that the original writing team, Dan Aykroyd and Harold Ramis, returned to create a new story that continues the narrative from the original films. That’s right—the creative minds behind the films, which became a global phenomenon, were back with a brand new installment in the Ghostbusters legacy.

But we’re just getting started.

1) Firstly, the original cast returned to reprise the roles we all loved. Remarkably, they even convinced Bill Murray to put on the proton pack again and lend his voice along with the rest of the cast.

This may be an emotional moment for fans, especially since this is the last time Harold Ramis portrays Egon. I was particularly touched during missions where you and him investigate some spooky corners of New York together.

2)Thanks to the return of the original cast, this game is arguably the Ghostbusters 3 we all hoped to get one day. In my opinion, it serves as a fitting conclusion to the trilogy, as there are many references throughout the game that pay homage to both films. Players will have the opportunity to revisit the Sedgewick Hotel, battle a really pissy Stay Puft in the streets of New York City, and uncover the origins of the slime from Ghostbusters 2. Additionally, we can explore the Firehouse and even interact with the painting of Vigo the dickhead! Oh, and what would Ghostbusters be without everyone’s favorite slob of a specter? Yup, Slimer is back too

3) Tying up loose ends. The villains in the story are probably who you’d come to expect, with the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man returning early on as a boss fight. Additionally, Gozer the Gozerian is heavily talked about, which might make some people roll their eyes—after all, haven’t we seen enough of that paranormal edgelord? However, I don’t consider Gozer the main antagonist of the game.

That title belongs to Ivo Shandor, who is revealed to be the source of everything that has gone wrong in the Ghostbusters’ careers of busting ghosts. Although he is dead, his malevolence transcends the void and threatens to pull the astral dimension into New York, which would ruin the city’s pizza style forever—and we can’t allow that! Near the end of the game, we learn that Shandor has a secret island buried beneath the river, and of course, we need to go there to put an end to his nonsense. Oh, and I should mention that Walter Peck makes a return, still has no dick.

4) Nostalgia flows like milk and honey… or perhaps more like slime, as this game is filled with it. It’s clearly designed to evoke nostalgia, featuring moments where we interact with a dancing toaster or explore the New York Public Library while hunting down an evil spirit that’s captured the librarian ghost. The game aims to tug at our heartstrings, with its music, setting, and humor all reminiscent of the happier times we grew up with.

Ghostbusters: The Video Game Remastered_20191008175745

That said, don’t assume this is all fluff with no substance. The game is ambitious and presents a brand-new story as mentioned earlier. You’ll have your reliable proton pack and ghost trap ready, but the pack also features three additional capabilities that you can unlock as you progress. Egon has been tinkering with the pack, allowing you to test out these new (highly dangerous) enhancements. You lucky punk! It’s not every day you get to play with interdimensional science thingies.

5) You become a Ghostbuster! I really appreciate that we don’t just play as our favorite Ghostbuster, but instead take on the role of a new recruit learning the ropes as we join the team on a mission to save the world once again. Your missions will vary, involving the entire group at times, while at other moments, you’ll team up with just one other member to explore and uncover some ancient occult mysteries. This lets you feel like part of the team as they all, well, are themselves, and we love them for that.

6) This game was made for older consoles, and I get that modern gamers might feel frustrated because it doesn’t offer an open world to explore. I won’t pretend that having an open world wouldn’t have been incredible! However, what we do get is a tightly woven storyline and a game that doesn’t require weeks of commitment. I consider it the third story in the trilogy, and it functions like a movie. The difficulty can be adjusted to your preference, making it easy to breeze through and enjoy those heartfelt moments. I do have to admit, though, that the section in the cemetery (specifically at the gate) with the flying cherubs was a real PAIN IN THE ASS! That part gave me the most trouble, but aside from that, the game is a blast.

I always like to choose a game that fits the Halloween spirit to enhance the spooky vibes. This is the one I picked this year—so far! Since it’s a quick game, I actually have time to play a couple more. Conveniently, a brand new Castlevania game is coming out soon. I also see there’s an actual Hellraiser game releasing soon! Horror fans have it good.

I should also mention that Ghostbusters was later remastered for the PS4 and is available for both the PS4 and PS5, the current Xbox, and Switch. So, if you missed it when it first came out, you still have a chance to team up with the professionals and bust some ghosts in time for Halloween.

Manic out!

Editorials

MASTERS OF THE UNIVERSE Movie Review!

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He-Man comes to life in 2026 in a way we could only dream of as kids.

I admit this is the movie I was most afraid to see this year. Simply because I was worried that somehow Hollywood would do what it’s known to do and take a beloved IP and entirely fuck it to Hell and back. Any of our long-time readers will know what a He-Man fanatic I am. It’s my favorite thing of all time, the one IP I collect in any form I can find (on that note, one of my favorite pieces in my collection is a stupid paper Birthday plate from the ‘80s), and I’ve written more about MOTU on here than anything else, with Godzilla being a close second. Naturally, this is the movie I wanted to see but was scared it would be nothing but another disappointment, and I think that’s why a lot of people aren’t giving it a chance. We’ve been burnt too many times before.

So everyone who knows me wanted my thoughts on this highly anticipated movie. After seeing the movie four times (three times the first three days of its release), I’ve finally let it digest enough where I could share my thoughts confidently. In short, I love this movie! It surpassed my expectations, delivered a genuine He-Man story, and brings a whole lot of heart to a movie that’s essentially a glorified Saturday morning cartoon brought to live-action life.

Before seeing it, I told friends I didn’t care really if the movie was subpar as long as it had good fights; I would try to like it regardless. My expectations weren’t all that high as you can imagine, so I wasn’t expecting to be hit right in the feels by a story that’s deeply heartfelt and, well, powerfully hopeful.

First impressions

Director Travis Knight made it clear right from the start they wanted to base this cinematic world’s look primarily on the toy line, a series of colorful characters and playsets with distinct looks, weapons, and traits. MOTU is also the first toy line to be released with its own lore backing it. A lore expanded over the years through mini-comics, cartoon shows across the decades, and epic comic storylines.

People readily recognize these characters, and Castle Grayskull is an icon among pop culture. Why mess with perfection? Luckily, Travis Knight proves to be a fan like the rest of us and faithfully brought us an Eternia we’ve been waiting forty years to see.  

This is a movie full of big characters, bigger battles, and a badass return to the joy and simple pleasures of Saturday mornings when the cereal was sugary, and the floor was littered with our favorite toys. MOTU 2026 proudly plays right into the campy fun of the Filmation cartoon we grew up on, complete, I might add, with a valuable lesson learned once the movie ends.

That camp might discourage some who wanted a more serious-based He-Man film, but, for fuck’s sake, we already have a serious take on MOTU that was released nearly forty years ago (I feel old as fuck now), and despite it finding its cult following now, that movie was rejected by fans upon its initial release.

What about the controversies that surrounded the movie?

It’s ok to have fun at a movie, something many people have forgotten how to do, and the box office is showing that. Despite the praise from both critics and fans alike, the film is struggling at the box office, and that’s hard to admit. It has people asking how a movie so praised and loved can be struggling this badly. I don’t have an answer for that other than people are silly, spoiled, or stuck like a bump on a log. Some people are crossing their arms and refusing to go see it for one reason or another, and that’s not doing the box office any favors for sure. I read a lot of people already made up their minds not to see it, largely due to some controversies prior to the movie’s release. So let’s look at what all the fuss is over.

The Controversies

Jared Leto’s casting caused people to lose their minds. They foamed at the mouth, they pulled out their teeth, and they shoved whole pineapples up their asses when he was announced to be playing the greatest villain of all time, Skeletor. People thought he’d ruin the character and acted like his casting meant the world was going to explode. However, upon the film’s release, he’s since been called the best part about it. Skeletor steals the show! Anytime he’s on screen, he eats it up with his dastardly villainy and dramatic evil.

He’s larger than life and can go from pouting and pissed off to violent and dangerous in an instant. He insults his underlings and kills at a whim. He’s absolutely a threat and Eternia fears him. It shows why Eternia needs He-Man, the only one who has the power to combat someone as dangerous as Skeletor. I especially like how Skeletor hints that he comes from the darkest regions in the universe, making him both a mystic and cosmic threat. Plus he and He-Man have an amazing fight!

Earth was in it. We’re only on Earth for like fifteen minutes, so don’t let that be a reason to keep you away. Yeah, when people weren’t bitching about Jared Leto, they were shitting the pants over the Earth scenes…myself included. Some people said they’d refuse to see the movie altogether due to it. I repeat, though, please don’t let that be a reason to keep you away. The Earth scenes aren’t awful. In fact, they’re used as a fun way to stick in some Easter eggs for eagle-eyed fans. Earth is also directly linked to Queen Marlena, who, yes, comes from there and decides it’s an ideal place to hide Prince Adam from Skeletor. So Earth is grounded in the lore, and who can deny how much fun it was to see Beastman rampaging across a crowded highway?

Overpopulation. People also thought there were too many characters. Somehow, despite the many characters filling out this cinematic universe, everyone is given fair screen time, with the exception of a few of them given greater character arcs such as Man-at-Arms. I especially love the early on conflict set up between him and Trapjaw. In a silly movie made about toys, it has a ton of heart and human soul played out in the drama of these characters. It dares to tackle subjects like using power over violence, getting up when you’ve been kicked down, and overcoming failures and loss. Many action films today lose these elements.

It’s a He-Man movie! Leading up to the release, I heard plenty of YouTubers saying this was going to be Teela’s movie and He-Man would be a side character. I think we have that Kevin Smith thing to thank for that, but rest assured, the focus is entirely on He-Man. About him learning to be the true hero and balance the hefty weight of Power laid on him.

It’s a fan film, but does it alienate newcomers?

One of my favorite things was taking my besties to go see it. Neither of them ever watched any of the shows or played with the toys growing up. There was no nostalgic pull for them, and the only link they had to this world was from seeing my MOTU collection scattered all over my home. They only went to support me; however, once the credits rolled, I heard them both shout, “I LOVED IT!” They related to the characters and followed along. As newcomers, they assumed they’d be lost the whole time but were pleasantly surprised by how much it pulled them in. Converts were made that day, and I walked out with my besties being MOTU fans.

That’s the power this movie has. All over online, you’ll find pictures of parents with their kids smiling ear-to-ear at the movie. People who grew up loving MOTU now get to share that bond with their own kids. This is a movie connecting generations of people, rekindling an old love and making people feel good. What’s wrong with that? A film about heroes and villains, a sword and sorcery film parents can take their kids to, and a movie best friends can bond over. It’s a love letter to fans, and I’m sure stuck-up critics won’t understand that, but hey, it’s for us.

Its cinematic future

Amazon claims the film is a win in their eyes already because they base success on fan reception, which means it’s already a win. Fans are eating this movie up and have gone to see it multiple times already; one guy says he’s seen it thirty times already. Not to mention the merchandise sales alone can make the company rich. I admit even I got pulled in to buying every popcorn bucket and specialty cup theaters had to offer. The only bucket I didn’t get (yet) is the Battle Cat one.

Amazon also says they’re measuring the film’s success by the upcoming streaming and Blu-ray/4K sales, which is proving another win, seeing that MOTU’s preorder sales are sitting at #1 on the site. They’re also watching to see how many fans tune in to Prime to watch the old cartoons. Both Filmation and the 200X shows are available, and there’s no better time to give in to the He-Mania than now and show Amazon we want more.

Let’s not forget that Travis Knight has gone on record to say there are still plenty of movies to make, with hopes of bringing She-Ra and Etheria into the cinematic universe. Plus, all those cool post-credit scenes hint at more story to cover. It’s an exciting time for fans.

He-Mania is on, and it feels like the ’80s have come full circle. He-Man is everywhere again. He’s on Denny’s menus, at the theater, and who’s ever gonna forget how they built Castle Grayskull at the Chinese Theater for the MOTU world premiere right there in Hollywood? A toy line made all of this happen. Not to mention that out-of-this-world drone show that lit up the night sky in preparation for this movie. I’m so glad to be alive and to have seen this all play out.

give it a watch!

People wonder why a generation never got over He-Man, but my answer is just watch the show. Read the comics. Watch this new movie. Get lost in the characters and lore. In every single variation and all across differing media, the main concepts are never lost. The visuals of good vs evil, that regular people can achieve wondrous things, and the power of friendship all solidify and make MOTU what it is, and, not only that, make us love it because it’s inspiring. These aren’t new concepts, and they’re found in so many epic tales and legends such as Lord of the Rings and Harry Potter. They’re concepts that inspire generations of people, and He-Man has proven to do just that.

Going back to the Earth scenes, which in retrospect I argue are important, you can’t help but see the connection Adam shares with each one of us. Adam is stuck working a dead-end office job and bombarded by mundanity. From every angle, he’s being told he has to stop dreaming and just be normal. Live just like everyone else and be miserable all the while he’s dreaming of Eternia. He’s looking beyond the horizon of this dreary world, expecting something so much better.

Isn’t that what we each do? We have to live here where we pay bills, get dressed for work, and deal with stupid management. We’re forced to fit in, but fantasy, oh beautiful fantasy, allows us to look beyond the cubicle. It gives us a glimpse into worlds so much more beautiful, and even if severely dangerous, we still love it. We’re willing to trade in the safe world we know for faraway places where rings are magical, wizards go to school, and a sword gives a dork the Power of Grayskull!

He-Man is our generation’s King Arthur. He is our legend and a hero to look up to. He’s fundamentally good. When he’s not He-Man, he’s still a great guy. He is what we need in a time like today. He’s always stood out as a role model, and this new movie lets that shine. He has the big muscles, but it’s not about those; it’s about heart. He can punch a villain’s face off but would rather try to see the good in anyone. Some out there are just bad to the core, though, and Skeletor, we love you for that!

came home with me

I stood under a massive standee at a local theater and couldn’t believe it really. The characters I grew up loving stared back at me life-sized, and minutes before I went to watch the movie. There’s a little five-year-old in me that was losing his mind. He always knew these characters could come to life, and it finally happened. I know there was another movie, but nothing like this. Nothing to this degree.

I originally finished this review by saying my collection increased thanks to this movie, but that’s only a half-truth. It’s hokey, but I’ll say it anyway: my life’s increased now. People are connecting over this thing, and I’m encouraged by that. In an ugly world of endless arguments and online bitterness, it’s nice to see the anger lift and have people celebrating a hero. If you’re still on the fence and love He-Man, it’s time to go see it. It lives up to the hype and celebrates He-Man in a big way. This is a movie you want to see on the big screen and probably more than just once!

Plus, check this track out that’s actually in the movie. You’re welcome

Manic out.