Is Luigi's Mansion 3 the best game in the series?

[Deleted member 58846]

Luigi's Mansion 3 has shot up my list of my favorite Switch games, and is a delightful, charming, whimsical title that I am having so much fun with. It's dripping with charm and ridiculous production values, and it takes its conceit and runs with it, with each floor on the hotel being its own self-contained level with an all new set of mechanics introduced once, and then never revisited again, like the best Mario games.

I'm utterly enjoying the game, but I also lack familiarity with the earlier games in the series, so: ResetEra, is Luigi's Mansion 3 the best game in the series?

 

[NuclearCake]

Yes.

 

[K Samedi]

Yeah I'd say so. The co op is excellent and every floor I came across so far has blown me away in terms of level design. I'm still at floor 8 though so I have some ways to go before I can make a final judgement but I'm enjoying my self more than the past two entries.

 

[Deleted member 4976]

The only thing I prefer from past entries is the controls of Dark Moon. Everything else I think LM3 does better.

 

[beetlebum]

I think it's the best by far, and I really love the other two.

I also think it's the second best Switch game after Breath of the Wild, don't @ me

 

[-PXG-]

Hell yes. It takes the good elements of the previous two games and puts them together in a very polished and well paced package. Next Level, once again, delivered an excellent game that went above and beyond expectations. They should be very proud.

 

[Corrie1960]

3
1
2

in that order

 

[IMACOMPUTA]

My 3 year old son and I have had a blast with this one in co-op. The puzzles are just hard enough that he's able to figure them out but they aren't too easy.
It's fantastic.

We played quite a bit of the first one but it was kind of too difficult for him. Also the save system was a little too unforgiving for a 3 year old gamer.

 

[logash]

Totally it absolutely is. I still think the first one has a better atmosphere and I like the idea of one continuous area more than themed floors but it is no doubt the best game in the series.

 

[Jahranimo]

I'm not done with the game yet but far and away yes it's the best.

 

[DarkChronic]

I don't remember enough of LM1, but LM3 is a DAMN fine game, just an absolute treat to play. They really knocked it out of the park.

 

[Deleted member 58846]

The only thing I prefer from past entries is the controls of Dark Moon. Everything else I think LM3 does better.

Click to shrink...

Yeah, the controls are actually shockingly bad in this game lol. Surprised a game on a single analog system did it better, actually.

 

[Deleted member 8752]

1 and 2 are no slouch either. Definitely play them if you can.

 

[Deleted member 59]

Haven't played 3 yet, looking forward to it but LM1>LM2 every day of the week.

 

[Deleted member 8752]

The only thing I prefer from past entries is the controls of Dark Moon. Everything else I think LM3 does better.

Click to shrink...

Yea, Dark Moon has a far better game feel in part due to the controls. That's why I'd probably list it as my favorite of the bunch.

 

[Dyle]

I'm just about done with it and I slightly prefer the original title. Luigi's Mansion 3 is a little too long for my tastes, has a few rough bosses, and the total lack of purpose for money is demoralizing, however it has by far the best puzzles and music. I've played Luigi's Mansion 1 at least a dozen times but I will never replay Luigi's Mansion 3. Scarescraper is also a lot weaker than I expected

 

[Stopdoor]

I know Dark Moon ain't gonna win a poll because it's kind of a prototype for the newest game, but I gotta give it credit for better ghost fighting. The slam mechanics in the new game are just kind of braindead.

 

[Nephilim]

It has something magical, it evokes positive feelings out of the player. It's a joy to play.

A special game and the best of the series, even with some shortcomings like the senseless money hunt.

 

[hussien-11]

The game has an incredible attention to detail, some of the best i've ever seen in a video game.

 

[NuclearCake]

You should play them all but this series has generally gotten better with each entry.

LM3>LM2>LM

 

[wingedarcher7]

I have not been able to play 3 yet, but it does seem like the best one from everything I've seen and heard. I think the series has only gotten better. Luigi's Mansion Dark Moon is better than the first, and it looks like 3 holds improvements over Dark Moon.

 

[Stoof]

I didn't play the first one all the way through since it was at a friend's house, but I have played all of Dark Moon. I would easily say the third one is the best in the series, it's just a pure joy to play and looks amazing.

 

[Dark Cloud]

It's not even CLOSE. LM3 runs away. It took the series to the next level.

 

[Deleted member 873]

LM3 is like Galaxy 2. It takes away a few things that made the original so good, but it makes a better game to play. So people will be divided forever.

LM3 takes away the spooky atmosphere from the first two games and brings variety, color and a somewhat comfy atmosphere. More variety in boss structures, locales, etc. It almost felt like going from Kingdom to Kingdom in Mario Odyssey. So yeah, it *feels* better.

However, the first two games have this spooky atmosphere that makes them memorable in their own kind of way.

 

[No Depth]

Started it last night and its oozing charm, just gorgeous animations and production, but I really don't find the tug of war and actual 'ghost hunting' to be very good.

I still miss the feeling of weight and power the ghosts had in LM1 as you really felt the tension between the vacuum and the ghost. You were really yanked and flung around the room, whereas in LM1/2 it feels far less tense. Not that LM1 isn't riddled with issues of its own though, but I don't get the same feel of vacuuming ghosts in the sequels as I did in the original.

 

[Zassimick]

It has been very enjoyable to play through. I have only a couple floors left (then who knows what's coming) but I'm confident in saying this is my favorite of the three. The animations alone elevates the game in such a way that leaves me constantly smiling.

 

[Robo]

I have a soft spot for the 1st game, mostly due to how creepy the game is but 3 is just better at everything else I feel. It feels like you have a lot more options with the gameplay in 3 and I think it adds more overall strategy to the core gameplay loop.

I was watching GameXplains review of LM3 and I gotta say the new Slam mechanic I think adds a new layer of nuance to the gameplay rather than just making it too easy. Being able to get some extra damage on a different group of ghosts while trying to wrangle another feels really gratifying. I can see it getting repetitive for others but it never did for me.

 

[Gartooth]

It's 100% LM3. It ironed out the rough spots of LM2 and incorporated a lot of the best parts of LM1 like portrait ghosts.

I bought LM1 on 3DS e-shop to revisit it after finishing LM3, and while still a really fun time, it feels so antiquated. LM1 has a "spooky" vibe but it's more the environment and music than it is the actual ghosts you encounter which are just as goofy as LM3, and the mansion itself is just "get key in 1 room, go to the next room on the map" with little need to revisit rooms except for the Boos.

 

[Bushido]

I liked the first one, I LOVED the second one, but LM3 is on another level and my current GOTY. Therefore the answer is yes.

 

[DNAbro]

Not even competition and I haven't finished the game

 

[unicornKnight]

I hope it is because I barely liked the first one and sold the second after two missions. This one looks very interesting, I'll probably pick it up for Christmas.

 

[Deleted member 8593]

Easily. It's pretty evident that NLG took all the criticism to heart and vastly improved on what they did in LM2.

It's not even CLOSE. LM3 runs away. It took the series to the next level.

Click to shrink...

cheeky bastard

 

[Soul Skater]

Everything about the game blows the others away

... except for the ghost battle gameplay which is sort of a big deal. it just doesn't feel as fun as it did before

still overall the best though

 

[Kyrios]

Absolutely. The amount of variety alone as far as floor designs go is just amazing.

 

[Fireblend]

Having played all 3, yes, without a doubt.

 

[Soul Skater]

Started it last night and its oozing charm, just gorgeous animations and production, but I really don't find the tug of war and actual 'ghost hunting' to be very good.

I still miss the feeling of weight and power the ghosts had in LM1 as you really felt the tension between the vacuum and the ghost. You were really yanked and flung around the room, whereas in LM1/2 it feels far less tense. Not that LM1 isn't riddled with issues of its own though, but I don't get the same feel of vacuuming ghosts in the sequels as I did in the original.

Click to shrink...

Basically all of this

it's fucking killing me man. Everything else about the game is perfect. I haven't been this bothered by a change in gameplay between sequels since KH2 dropped the dodgeroll when it first came out, or smash brawl introduced the floaty physics

 

[KDC720]

I think so. I'm having a blast playing through in co-op (which is incredibly well implemented) and the game keeps throwing little surprises at you constantly.

 

[Hybris]

3 > 1 > 2

It's very good. Lots of room for improvement still, but I am having a lot of fun with it (nearing the end now).

 

[PucePikmin]

In a walk.

 

[Deleted member 10737]

poor dark moon :(

 

[mopinks]

by a mile

I still feel like the first one edges it out just a little in atmosphere, though

 

[Efejota]

My only worry is that it might not be as interesting to replay as the first game with it's hidden mansion. I'm only at the 9th floor, but I have a feeling the game won't provide anything new for a second playthrough. Looking for the remaining gems and ghosts seems like a nice reason to go and complete it after the ending, at least.

 

[Psychotron]

Easily. Though I enjoy them all, but I'd rank them LM3>LM1>LM:DM.

 

[Vampirolol]

Yes, and I adore the first one. LM3 is incredible.

 

[chezzymann]

People said the game was too easy and while the combat is easy the environmental puzzles can be a bit tricky, like the movie studio one

 

[Creation_Scapes]

LM1 based off the much spookier atmosphere.

 

[cosmickosm]

Never played 1, only played 90 min of 2, and I'm at the last floor in 3

So I voted 3

 

[Sterok]

I remember thinking Dark Moon was amazing while 3 is pretty good. So Dark Moon is the best? Been awhile, so I'd need to replay it, but I think Dark Moon had better game feel.

 

[AndrewGPK]

I've only about a third of the way through and never finished the other 2, so I'm no expert. But LM3 feels way better than what I remember of the other 2, scope/scale feel much bigger and the presentation is high end even when comparing it to other Nintendo games. I'm pretty blown away and sure I will finish. I never owned LM and kinda got bored with DM halfway in.

 

[Deleted member 13101]

Just this alone - being able to slam the ghost you've grabbed and hit the other free-floating ghosts for damage - takes it to the top.

Dark Moon was very good but it took until the middle of the 2nd area in order to get into a groove. Took a while to warm up and get going.

1 is interesting but has an older/different structure, especially in terms of seeking out the Boos. The more specific ghost personalities of 1 seem to have returned some in 3.