The Haunted Mansion (video game)

The Haunted Mansion is an American action-adventure video game released by High Voltage Software in 2003. Despite its release date, the game does not relate to the 2003 film.

Plot[]

A Renaissance influenced 19th century mansion located in a bayou nearby New Orleans was a happy home to a family (presumably the Gracey family) and their companion friendly ghosts until Atticus Thorn, the leader of an evil cult known as the Order of Shadows, terrorized the mansion, causing the family to abandon the home. Thorn corrupted many of the resident ghosts of the mansion, transforming them into evil spirits to serve his will.

Renowned author Ezekiel "Zeke" Holloway was orphaned following his father's death and his mother's disappearance in the Civil War and lived in orphanages as well as several caretakers until he was old enough to live on his own. These experiences taught him the value of self-reliance and he has long dreamed of becoming a reputable writer. In order to do this, Zeke searches for a job in order to finance his passion. His desperation for a job leads him to discover a misleading newspaper advertisement about being a caretaker for the aforementioned mansion.

Making the decision to take the job, he journeys to the mansion on October 17, 1879, only to faint upon arrival when he is greeted by six friendly ghosts, who are Atticus Thorn's slaves. Awakening, a spirit in a crystal ball named Madame Leota orients him of the mansion's history and informs him that Thorn has trapped 999 souls in the mansion as part of his attempt to take over the Afterlife and should be sent into the Depths of the Afterdeath. She also informs him on how to use the Beacon of Souls, a magic lantern that fires bolts of light to fight off evil spirits. Leota also says that the Beacon is used to destroy the evil for good.

Taking up the Beacon, Zeke travels throughout the manor's rooms, using Leota's clues to dispel the evil magic. Along the way, he frees the hidden shriveled spirits and collects the sacred Soul Gems that power the Beacon, all the while having to overcome the fearsome enemies that only seek to bar his work. During the course of these events, Atticus Thorn watches with sadistic delight and occasionally appears to fight Zeke, who beats him successfully.

After battling through numerous enemies, Zeke eventually gains a pirate's ring that unlocks a passageway to Thorn's secret lair — the Vault of Shadows. Inside the Vault, Thorn reveals his plot to take over the Land of the Living and the Realm of the Dead. Thorn steals the Beacon and, after absorbing the energy from the captured souls, transforms into a gigantic worm-like monstrosity, intent on destroying Zeke and Leota.

With Thorn defeated, Zeke emerges victorious and is thanked by the friendly ghosts. The Haunted Mansion is finally returned to light, and the 999 spirits are set free and move on to the Heavens. Zeke is employed as caretaker of the estate, and continues to live in harmony with the remaining ghosts along with Madame Leota. He then pursues his dream as a writer under Leota's guidance later on.

Trivia[]

Zeke was inspired by the Caretaker seen in the rides. However, the caretaker from the ride appears as a friendly ghost in the Winter Garden.
The song Grim Grinning Ghosts is featured in the credits of the game, performed by the Dapper Dans of Disneyland Park. In addition, the credits can be accessed as a special feature labeled as "Tortured Souls" in options section of the Main Menu.
For unknown reasons, the gamecube version did not release in europe.