Haunt
Developer(s)NanaOn-Sha
Zoë Mode
Publisher(s)Microsoft Studios
Platform(s)Xbox 360 (Xbox Live Arcade)
Release
  • WW: January 18, 2012
Genre(s)Adventure, survival horror
Mode(s)Single-player

Haunt is a horror-themed adventure game developed by NanaOn-Sha and Zoë Mode, and published by Microsoft Studios. It was made available for download worldwide on the Xbox 360 via Xbox Live Arcade on January 18, 2012. The game requires the Kinect peripheral.

Gameplay

Haunt is played using the Kinect peripheral.[1] Players use their body to control gameplay. One hand is used to control the on-screen flashlight, while other motions do things such as opening sarcophagi and doors.[1] Emphasis on the player's entire body is used. For example, the player must cover their ears to avoid the loud scream of a banshee.[2] Some sections of the game are automatically navigated, while in others players are free to roam the environment.[3]

Development

Haunt was conceived by Masaya Matsuura.[4][5] It was revealed at the Tokyo Game Show 2010.[6] The game was designed to be child friendly rather than be a horror-focused title.[7] British development team Zoë Mode created the majority of the game including programming, artwork and design with NanaOn-Sha overseeing the project.[3] The game was originally planned for a 2011 release, but was delayed until 2012.[8] Tim Schafer is featured as the voice of Benjamin Muldoon, the mansion's owner and narrator in the game.[9]

Reception

Haunt received generally mixed reviews, resulting in the aggregate scores of 74% on GameRankings and 70 out of 100 on Metacritic.[10][11]

References

  1. ^ a b JC Fletcher (September 23, 2011). "Haunt preview: Spirited entertainment". Joystiq. AOL. Archived from the original on October 25, 2011. Retrieved January 12, 2012.
  2. ^ Caoili, Eric (September 23, 2011). "Lots Of Gameplay, Giant Eye In New Haunt Trailer". GameSetWatch. UBM TechWeb. Archived from the original on October 17, 2011. Retrieved January 12, 2012.
  3. ^ a b Sheffield, Brandon (December 29, 2011). "NanaOn-Sha: Changing The World Of Games". Gamasutra. UBM Tech. Archived from the original on January 13, 2012. Retrieved January 12, 2012.
  4. ^ Cifaldi, Frank (September 15, 2011). "Horror Game Haunt Coming from Parappa Creator for Kinect". 1UP.com. News Corporation. Archived from the original on March 21, 2015. Retrieved January 12, 2012.
  5. ^ Watts, Steve (December 29, 2011). "Haunt developers inspired by Tim Schafer's GDC speech". Shacknews. Archived from the original on January 13, 2012. Retrieved January 12, 2012.
  6. ^ Plunkett, Luke (September 16, 2010). "PaRappa Creator Turns Kinect Into A Haunted House". Kotaku. Gawker Media. Archived from the original on September 22, 2010. Retrieved January 12, 2012.
  7. ^ Ashcraft, Brian (September 15, 2011). "Do You Know Whose Voice Haunts This Game?". Kotaku. Gawker Media. Archived from the original on December 21, 2011. Retrieved January 12, 2012.
  8. ^ Kollar, Phil (September 2010). "PaRappa The Rapper Creator Making Haunted House Sim For Kinect". Game Informer. GameStop.
  9. ^ Sheffield, Brandon (December 29, 2011). "NanaOn-Sha: Changing The World Of Games". Gamasutra. Archived from the original on 26 January 2012. Retrieved 27 January 2012.
  10. ^ "Haunt for Xbox 360". GameRankings. CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on May 1, 2012. Retrieved April 20, 2012.
  11. ^ "Haunt for Xbox 360". Metacritic. CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on April 15, 2012. Retrieved April 20, 2012.
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