SPOOKWARE

It's a bit strange to see a Halloween game pop up right before a major Mario release, but that's exactly what happened with SPOOKWARE. Episode 1 actually launched on the same day as a big Nintendo title, which is part of why it felt like it came out of nowhere. From what I've read, the developers were originally unsure about making a direct sequel to the first game, SPooked, worrying it might not sell enough. So, they took a creative detour instead of just doing more of the same.

This new episode, SPOOKWARE, switches things up. You're not just dealing with spooks; you're playing as the ghosts themselves, who are now the mechanics and defenders of their own haunted house. Their job? To protect their home from waves of mini zombies and other creepy invaders. While the core gameplay might feel familiar, the minigames here are a whole different beast way more intense. We're talking some surprisingly graphic blood effects and even a weirdly unsettling scene with some ghostly flirtation. It definitely lets you know this isn't all candy and costumes.

Don't let the colorful, almost toy like visuals fool you. SPOOKWARE has a genuinely creepy heart. You'll find yourself poking around rooms filled with unsettling dolls, opening cabinets that might have seen better days, and using bizarre gadgets to survive. One standout is the PIRP gun, a weapon you use to zap little undead critters. It's hilariously unreliable, often misfiring if its battery is low, which adds a great layer of panic. The sound design is a star here too, with some seriously haunting music cues that will stick with you. Beyond that, the game packs in a wild variety of microgames, from a gothic dress up challenge to a Halloween trivia quiz and a tense escape room puzzle. It's a weird, wonderful, and often spooky mix that feels totally unique on mobile.