Wren and Reynold are my new best friends. Or rather, Wren is, since her twin brother has just been snatched away. It's my job to rescue him in Costume Quest, one of the sweetest, silliest, most charming games I've ever found on Xbox Game Pass that now has me battling enemies called Grubbins on one fateful October night. Despite its mechanical simplicity, there's a timeless and cheeky joy about it that speaks to the very spirit of Halloween, and I couldn't be happier to have stumbled upon Costume Quest in time for spooky season..
Much as in my favorite episode of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, the "oldest" twin Wren gains special abilities from the costumes she wears. From the Knight's shiny armor to the Robot's speed-walking special move, Wren's imagination allows her to embody the strengths of these popular Halloween characters. Her mission is simple: rescue her brother from the Grubbins beyond the spooky gate, who have kidnapped Reynold for the crime of his costume resembling a giant piece of candy corn. Candy seems to be a weakness for the Grubbins, the cause of the chaos they wreak this Halloween. But as I explore the town of Auburn Pines, gathering candy and materials for new costume patterns, I'm delighted to find out how much more there is to this action-adventure game than meets the eye.
