Poltergifts: A Flash-animated Action Game

Poltergifts is a Flash-animated action game created by Newgrounds.com programmer Evil-Dog. Voice contributions were credited to Newgrounds.com user Antfish. Music used in this game was credited to Newgrounds.com user joshhunsaker. The title of the main theme is "Movie Intro." The artwork for this Flash-animated game was credited to Newgrounds.com user SickDeathFiend. This Flash submission was submitted to Newgrounds.com on December 18, 2010 and won the Daily 5th Place award on December 19, 2010. Poltergifts currently holds a score of 4.31 out of 5.00 based on votes by the Newgrounds.com community.

Gameplay and Background Story

Apparently, the ghosts and monsters that haunt the world during Halloween do not go away and linger well into Christmas Day. Your objective is to track down these ghoulies and dispose of them promptly. The monsters hide in innocent-looking gift boxes. Other gift boxes will contain items that you can utilize to help you get rid of the little buggers. Do not, under any circumstance, let the monsters reach the bottom of the screen. The music will notify you when the monsters are too close.

When you first begin the game, you can choose between three different game modes. You can choose between Wave Mode, Time Mode, and Bowling Mode. In Wave Mode, you must survive until dawn. In Time Mode, you must destroy as many monsters as you can. In Bowling Mode, you will use a bowling bawl to defeat the enemies. You can use your mouse to control the movement of the ball after you have released it.

Use your mouse to open up the gift boxes. Click to punch the boxes to open them. To attack monsters, click on the monsters.

You can earn money that you can use to purchase items and upgrades to help you in your noble quest. Items and upgrades can be purchased for Timmy, Mommy and Daddy. Stuff for Mommy can be accessed after reaching 2:00 in Wave Mode. Stuff for Daddy can be accessed after reaching 4:00 in Wave Mode. The items and upgrades available include, for Timmy, at least:

-punch

-wooden bat

-frisbee

-slingshot

-water gun

-BB gun

-blocks

-firecrackers

-marbles

The main page also has a link to Achievements that can be completed to earn you more cash that you can use to purchase items on your wishlist.

Game Review

Poltergifts offer a good combination of Halloween and Christmas that is a refreshing change from the usual holiday cheer that circulates around this time of year. The game is a little difficult to play on a trackpad, but this should not stop a player from trying it out.