The original Costume Quest launched in 2010 on PC, PlayStation 3, and Xbox 360. Since then, the cutesy RPG has spawned a sequel and an animated TV show on Amazon's streaming service. However, it's been almost six years since the last Costume Quest game released. Now, with Halloween quickly approaching and a popular show on Amazon, it's the perfect time for a Costume Quest 3 to happen.
Developed by Double Fine Productions, both Costume Quest games were Halloween-inspired RPGs that have become cult classics. Recently, it's even become a kid-friendly show on Amazon Prime. The first game featured turn-based combat, while the second leaned more into action RPG elements. The plots and gameplay mechanics of both games feature collecting costumes and candy. As someone might expect from a Halloween video game about kids, there's also plenty of trick-or-treating involved.
Double Fine Productions, the studio behind Psychonauts and several LucasArts remasters like Grim Fandango, is now a first-party studio for Microsoft. When Microsoft first acquired the studio, it left the fate of the company uncertain. However, now Double Fine is working on Psychonauts 2 under Xbox Game Studios. The company acquisition is most likely to blame for delays in Double Fine's games, but now that development is back on track, it's the perfect time to bring back the Costume Quest series.
Why Costume Quest Needs A New Game
Every Halloween, people get in the mood to play spooky games. There are lots of horror games out there, like Resident Evil and Remothered, and even a re-release of Silent Hill 4 on PC. However, there's only a handful of other spooky (but not gory) games out there. For anyone who isn't into gore and blood, the Halloween pickings can be a little slim. Thankfully, Costume Quest is a nice non-gory alternative.
Both Costume Quest games were well-received, although the first game got slightly better reviews from critics and even won several gaming awards. In the years since 2010 and 2014, both games have developed a cult following. There's definitely a market for a Costume Quest 3, assuming one ever gets made. If last year's success of Luigi's Mansion 3 proved anything, it's that comically spooky (and kid-friendly) games are adored by people of any age and can sell incredibly well.
The behind-the-scenes changes at Double Fine Productions could have caused an initial postponement of another Costume Quest game. However, a third entry definitely deserves to be made. It may be a little too late to get a Costume Quest 3 on Halloween this year, but the demand for the game is assuredly there.