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JU-ON: The Grudge

EMAIL PRINT wii

6.2 User Score:

Generally unfavorable reviews

Based on 32 critic reviews
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Based on 12 votes
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Game Info

Publisher: XSEED Games

Developer: Feelplus

Genre(s): Adventure, Horror

Players: 1

ESRB Rating: M (Mature)

Release Date: October 13, 2009

Summary

The title is inspired by the Japanese classic horror movie, JU-ON, on which the American release of the hit horror film "The Grudge" was based upon. JU-ON: The Grudge for Wii is a Haunted House Simulator where accessibility and instant scares are given priority over all other game aspects, with the original creator of the movie, Takashi Shimizu, serving as a creative consultant to game development. It is said that when a person dies with a deep and burning grudge, a curse is born. When an average housewife in Nerima, Japan, was murdered in a grisly fashion, it gave rise to a curse so powerful that it threatens to kill at a pace thought unimaginable before. The curse manifests on those who encounter the curse by any means, such as entering the house or being in contact with somebody who was already cursed. Once Erika Yamada is exposed to the curse while searching for her dog in an abandoned warehouse, the entire Yamada family is put in grave danger as soon as she reunites with them at home. They must now face their individual challenges alone, and only by overcoming the curse together will their family truly be free again. Using the Wii Remote as a flashlight, JU-ON: The Grudge has players move forward with the touch of a button and explore haunted areas such as an abandoned warehouse, a dimly-lit hospital, and a mannequin factory. Much like a haunted house, the player must proceed forward even after being frightened and running away from the initial threat. As much fun as it is to get scared, sometimes it’s even more fun to watch others play to observe their reactions. For instant gratification, grab a second Wii Remote and push buttons to make in-game events happen immediately to make the player jump and hate you forever. [XSEED]

Also On The Web: Official Website

What The Critics Said

All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...

Games Master UK

Throwaway shocks. [Dec 2009, p.86]

Destructoid

It's definitely not for fans of what survival horror games have become, but fans of old-school, "defense-free" games in the genre or fans of ghostly horror films should give the game a shot.

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Nintendo Power

It deserves credit for delivering some of the most genuinely scary gaming moments ever. [Nov 2009, p.79]

GameZone

JU-ON: The Grudge’s ‘Haunted House Simulator’ concept is a good one, but the execution is lacking. Poor controls and overly simplistic gameplay sink what could have been a very good (and very unique) horror game.

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Nintendo Life

It's a shame it's so brief (about the length of an actual horror film) so we cannot recommend paying full price, but if you can get it for a budget price it'll make for some frightening fun at your next party.

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Da Gameboyz

With first-gen graphics, a mixed audio package, and some broken gameplay elements, JU-ON: The Grudge is a very mixed bag indeed. Although it did offer up some spooky moments, there were just too many issues for it to overcome.

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NGamer UK

Truly scary and, for fans of the films, probably worth experiencing, but this is frustrating and clumsy to actually play. [Dec 2009, p.62]

XGN

JU-ON:The Grudge is a reasonable game, which mainly breaks apart because of the short gameplay and the bad controls. However the dark environments and scary moments that are all well placed, absolutely make it worth to play the game once. But when you do that, make sure it is from the discount stack.

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3DJuegos

Ju-on gives us a darkness' deployment of frights under the moonlight, and shows the famous story based on Kayako and Toshio from The Grudge.

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Cheat Code Central

In short, Ju-On: The Grudge is a great idea marred by middling execution. Purchasers can expect some great scares, but the actual gameplay feels clunky and unnatural, and there isn't much play time to be had here. At $30, this is not a worthy buy.

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Official Nintendo Magazine UK

Limp shocks and dull content leave us with a lingering grudge towards Ju-On's creators. [Dec 2009, p.92]

Worth Playing

Ju-On: The Grudge proves that sometimes being different doesn't necessarily mean being good. The graphics and sound may be great for the system, but the poor controls and slow, plodding pace of the story episodes greatly hinder the game's enjoyment.

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RealGamer

For these reasons, like a horror film, you’ll play it once then never play it again because you know what is coming and it is not scary the second time round. Therefore, I’d recommend you rent it rather than buy it.

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AceGamez

In short, Ju-On The Grudge is a pointless approximation at a movie tie-in, the name alone being pretty much all there is similar between the two interpretations.

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GameSpot

Cheap shocks and poor controls await unsuspecting victims in this outdated horror game.

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Digital Chumps

Regardless, JU-ON: The Grudge: Haunted House Simulator provides very little entertainment beyond the surface appeal and jump scares.

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Hardcore Gamer Magazine

Unfortunately, Ju-on can be finished in mere hours, but if the characters could actually run, I’d reckon it could be completed in around twenty minutes. In other words, it’s way too short to warrant the price tag.

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Edge Magazine

A frustrating experience, though thankfully not a long one. [Dec 2009, p.103]

Nintendojo

If you want a good scare and the experience sounds interesting, rent the game for the first level only. After that ten minutes, take it back for a refund.

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Meristation

There's nothing worthy on the latest feelPlus work, or at least nothing truly enjoyable. We're supposed to be very frightened by the scares that The Grudge repeatedly shows on the screen, but the only scary thing here are the gameplay mechanics and the incredible stupidity of our main enemies.

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Gamervision

Ju-On: The Grudge is the kind of game that should only be purchased as punishment – a modern day equivalent of putting coal in a child's stocking for Christmas.

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Game Informer

Ju-On: The Grudge fails to inspire terror, relying on tired jump-scares, that over-used croaking sound, and random, cheesy scares via a second controller.

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Gamer Limit

Ju-On: The Grudge ends up being more frustrating than scary, as terrible controls and gameplay force the player to adhere to elements of gameplay that fall very short of what can even remotely be considered fun and/or frightening.

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Telegraph

Perhaps the biggest misstep Ju-on makes is that it ignores one of the most crucial elements in creating a horror title; the audience needs to have sympathy for the protagonist.

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games(TM)

There's simply not enough material here to justify the asking price, and the small amount on the disc is sub-par entertainment on almost every level. [Dec 2009, p.111]

IGN

I think I've ripped this game apart long enough for you to get the point. JU-ON: The Grudge is a waste of your time and your money.

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Thunderbolt

In the end, it’s a game of such dubious quality I find it difficult to recommend even to fans of the films, and instead recommend it swiftly being hidden beneath better dross in a bargain bin, or, better yet, a normal, everyday, trash bin.

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N-Europe

Horror games have not been at their peak for a few years now and Ju-On: The Grudge is not the game to spark new life into the genre. Wii owners would be advised to wait to see how the more promising Silent Hill: Shattered Memories turns

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Eurogamer

To be fair to publisher Rising Star, it does deserve tremendous credit for regularly bringing unheralded, obscure Asian titles to Europe. Sadly though, in the case of Ju-On: The Grudge, it has picked probably the most excruciatingly leaden survival-horror game of all time, and that took some doing.

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Teletext GameCentral

The corpse of survival horror gets another beating with gameplay as intangible as its ghostly antagonists.

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Kombo

JU-ON: The Grudge has very little to offer anyone. It'll scare you a couple times, but they're just cheap scares that even the lowest budget B movie would be embarrassed to have to resort to.

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Game Revolution

For those of you that care, I've gone through an eighth of a liter of scotch since starting this review. And I'm certain that the number of brain cells I've killed is only a small fraction of the number that committed suicide from being exposed to Ju-On. They were lucky.

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What Our Users Said

The average user rating for this game is 6.2 (out of 10) based on 12 User Votes

Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.

Giovanni Co gave it a10:
great!innovative and good atmosphere, is like playing a horror game,is the evolution of old realistic fm games...terrifing

Steven E gave it an8:
Considering that this is the only real horror game on the Wii, thus far, I say it's better than nothing. I love The Grudge movies, but mainly the first one. I hoped that some kind of game would spawn from it. Either way, I was going to make it. Still am. Yes, I agree that it could have been better, but at least it brought the memorable movie moments to the game world. I give it a 6 for, at least, trying. I give it an 8 for existing in the first place and having a creepy atmospheric tone. I give it a 10 has a Wii game. If it were on PS3 or Xbox 360, if wouldn't be has fun, but I would still love it. This game has now become my game choice for a traditional Halloween scare.

Marvin D gave it an8:
The game does a decent job of getting a scare out of the gamer as long as they're not trying to bro themselves up around every corner of the game. Given that it's claiming to be a haunted house simulator and not RE5 or Silent Hill I'd say it does a decent job at delivering a fun experience. Unfortunately people that use Silent Hill and Resident Evil as benchmarks often rip on both franchises for a lack of innovation and growth in the genre. So I guess the question is, do they want something different in the marketplace or do they want more mediocre horror games they can complain about being stagnant?

Kendrick S. gave it an8:
Ju-On:The Grudge is a very unique game for the Wii. It will scare you the first time through, no doubt. The Graphics are great. The sounds are fantastic. The controls are a little strange and non responsive sometimes, but of course, when in fear, you lose train of thought and may even become non responsive to your own body. In the end the controls fit the game in a good way. For 30 bucks, you get around five trips. most likely one way because theres hardly any replay value. People who love to be frightened will of course love this game. People who are afraid of the dark but wont admit will give this game a poor review. 8.5/10.

Axel gave it a10:
This is the best horror game I have played on the Nintendo Wii. :) Although the gameplay and controls are a bit dull, the scares and the graphics is what makes up for it. The 2nd player interactivity is awesome and so much fun to play with friends. I love the movies a lot and the game is so good and worth the price. Go reserve your copy now!

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JU-ON: The Grudge

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