Introduction: The friendliest ghost, Casper, has made his way to the Nintendo DS with his latest title 'Casper's Scare School'. You the gamer find yourself as Casper who has been sent to Scare School so he can learn to become more scary and graduate from school. Although there is in fact no central plot but rather just complete, simple, missions does Casper come out of Scare school scary or still friendly.

Gameplay: When I first started playing Casper's Scare School I was under the impression that this game could very well be a average title that wants to cash in on the whole Casper franchise. I was in fact wrong because this game is below average. The reasoning behind this is that gamers will be basically doing one, well maybe two, things throughout the game which is deliver items to students while in class and making sure the teacher doesn't see you.

Although it may sound difficult, and while it could have been difficult, developers have made it so that you rarely get caught by the teacher who when facing the class won't even notice you out and about. Each level takes place within a small sized class and you find yourself just walking and picking up items to give them to other students. The levels themselves were in fact not very challenging and are to simple natured and then there are not that many levels.

Of course this game is a missed opportunity as the developers could have made a fantastic title that is based on the same premise but more advanced and not as simple. However children of course might struggle with some missions but it would be surprising if they choose to finish the game.

Control: Players control Casper via the D-Pad or Stylus but all you can really control are his movements. Controlling Casper works really well but since you can only move him around a small classroom the developers could have done a lot more with how you control Casper and what you do with him.

Graphics: The in game graphics are what you would find on most DS titles. All characters and the classes and detailed and well animated. Some of the strange students that are in Caspers class are also well designed based on them being weird, bizarre or even freaks.

Sound & Music: When it comes to sound and music it is there within the title but none of it is what you would regard as excellent material and most of it is unnoticeable. Teachers themselves do have some lines they say, but are rather repetitive and poorly voice. I myself didn't overall enjoy the sound or music and found it to repetitive and bland.

Dual Screen Use: Dual screen use has actually been done well within the game, but no explanation is provided to gamers with how it actually works. The bottom screen contains Casper within the class with other students and the teacher. The top screen however contains what item you need to pick up, and there is usually ever one item to pick, and then the person you need to bring it to.

Final Comments: Casper's Scare School is a missed opportunity of a game that could have been well though out and offered much to the gamer. Instead the developers have chosen the easy way and made it to simple for gamers. Diehard Casper fans could enjoy this title since you do control Casper but this title is aimed towards the really young children and just might enjoy playing this title.

Pros: Characters Well Animated, Control Works, Dual Screen Use Good
Cons: Missed Opportunity of a Game, Levels Simple and Repetitive, Bland in Game Music & Sound
Final Score: 4


Reviewed by: James