Unfortunately, the game gets old fast because the gameplay is based mostly on simple punch and kick. Added to the list of setback is the game's lack of length. It is difficult to give this game a higher score when Rare, a company well-known for creating Killer Instinct, could have used more time polishing it

Though the game is short on plot, there is a nice story behind it. The story goes something like Tales from the Crypt. You play as Cooper. You and your girlfriend are sizzled down by the cold rain, and the only place that offers any immediate shelter is the nearby Ghoulhaven Hall, a very creepy mansion. On your way to the mansion, a horde of monsters abduct your girlfriend. That is when your quest begins, the quest to get her back.

Since the mansion is haunted by ghouls and ghosts, Cooper will have to fight his way from room to room to free his girlfriend and rescue others. As mentioned, the gameplay in Grabbed by the Ghoulies is very simple. The left stick moves your character, and the right stick controls his attacks. Tapping the right stick toward an enemy performs a punch or kick, while holding the stick in that direction executes combos.

The A button picks up nearby objects such as tables, chairs, fire extinguishers, vases and more. The B button releases items you might be holding. The shoulder buttons are used for rotating the camera to have the best view of surroundings. As monsters attack from behind, switching directions is relatively easy. There is not much to learn about the controls. You only have to hold the stick in the direction of your foes to knock them out.

During your character's quest, a butler comes into view to serve as your guide. Everything may seem like it's all about beating everyone up, but there is some strategy involved. For example, you are given a certain amount of health for each room you enter. You need to conserve this energy as more restrictions apply when you advance through different levels. Some rooms ask you to find a key to proceed. Others have time limits, forcing you to dispose of your enemies quickly.

As you get deeper into the game, you will find certain rules must be followed. You will enter rooms that prohibit you from taking hits, and rooms that require you to inflict damage using only weapons. Violating these rules will bring forth the grim reaper that will kill your character with one touch. Dying in Grabbed by the Ghoulies is not that bad, depending how you look at it. When you die, you get to start at the current room and play it over again.

With the "butler's brew" option on, you have the choice to retry the room with twice your normal health. Since the game is already easy, the double health feature doesn't offer much of a bonus to the game. Grabbed by the Ghoulies is completely linear and the leading problem lies in its gameplay that it's extremely simplistic! The game feels quite exceptional at first with great-looking environments that are highly interactive, and the combat scenes that are actually fun even though it is not very complex.

The game provides a lot of rooms to carry out your search. Unfortunately, you are never given the option of walking through the wrong door. The most disappointing aspect of the game is that it forces you to mark your objectives down on the map only to find out that all your efforts are redirected on singular path. The bright side is that the graphics are designed and animated well. The visual presentation may not be on par with such titles as Shenmue 2, but it does a good job of covering some of the game's flaws.

In addition, the game sticks by the gothic theme with a spooky atmosphere combined with some humor that make it feel like a modern-day Addams Family. The animation is great at conveying emotion and delivering realistic player movement. The game also features excellent music and impressive sound effects. The characters in Grabbed by the Ghoulies speak in a series of gibberish tones. This gibberish dialect reflects an accurate attitude that a character conveys emotionally and also fit the childish mantra.

Grabbed by the Ghoulies has the right premise, a great storyline and some cool visuals. The best part is that the environments are highly interactive where you can destroy almost everything! However, the game falls short with its kiddy approach and repetitive gameplay. While the music will grab you by its tune, the limited action of characters will lead you to boredom. There really isn't much more to the game aside from the varying rules you must follow when entering different rooms. If you are looking for a swift one-two punch in your weekend rental, Grabbed by the Ghoulies may provide you the quick fix you need.