Visiting our favorite Island of the Apes...again

Genre: Adventure

Developed by: Lucasarts

Published by: Lucasarts

Oe-oe-ie-AAA-ie-oeoe!
Ie-oe-oe-ie-a-a-a-ie-a?
Oe-oe-oe-oe-ie-a-a-ie-ie-AA-A-AA-A-a-A… Ooh yeah that's right, you guys don't speak Monkey!

Aah, I remember the time I played the first Monkey Island game on my 80286… I didn't understand what was going on, but I thought all the pretty colours were cool… Then, a few years later (when my brain left the goo-goo-gaga stage) I got a chance to play Monkey Island 2: LeChuck's Revenge. Even though it was a localised German version ("Speicheren sie das spiel? Ja? Nein? Abrechen?" <huuhuuhuh>), I finished it, although even today I still can't believe I realized that without a walkthrough guide or something. And then, a couple of years ago, Monkey Island 3: The Curse of Monkey Island was released. And a damn sweet piece 'o software it was. The jokes, voices, music, everything was perfect. It was then I thought Lucasarts was THE perfect developer. With classics like Full Throttle, the X-Wing games, Day of the Tentacle and later Grim Fandango, Lucasarts was a label of certified and assured excellence. But after Grim Fandango, things began to fade. I'll spare you the details, since we all know todays troubles the firm has. With the extremely promising Dark Forces 3: Obi-Wan mysteriously and brutally cancelled, hopes are riding high on this 4th vehicle of the infamous Monkey Island series: Escape from Monkey Island!

The game begins with Guybrush mentally reviewing his past adventures. Cool intro using (partly) ingame graphics. A first glimpse at the graphics show a very neat picture, with rendered 3D characters in pre-rendered scenes. Monkey Island 4 (MI4) uses an evolved version of the Grim Fandango (GF) engine, and with quite a nice result. The scenes are brightly coloured and look very pretty, entirely living up to that piraty atmosphere so unique to the MI games. Unlike GF though, the characters are more detailed, since they are living humans and not walking skeletons. The low-polygon look is now replaced by the cartoony look. Tough to say which one is better, but it remains a fact that MI4's characters look more detailed. Their motion-capture is also better: speech is now for instance better depicted. Unfortunatly, MI4's graphics have not evolved vs. GF in one particular way: resolution. It is still pegged at a low 640x480, and there is no way to change it. This results in a quite destinct sawtooth effect, one that is, I'm sorry to say, very visible.
As with GF, no mouse controls here, just the keyboard. Again, your main character is the interface. Nothing new here. When there is something important, Guybrush (the main character) focuses on it, and a suggested action is shown below in text. Thus is how you interact with your environment. Moving in the pre-rendered environment is pretty straight forward, using the arrow keys. Sometimes the pre-rendered scene is a bit restrictive, making manoeuvring a bit frustrating at times, but this is just a slight twitch. Re-introduced is the ability to combine inventory items, something that was avoided in GF, since it made puzzles more complex and illogical.

The latter shows that MI4 is a worthy sequel, but really in every way. The puzzles in MI4 are sometimes really illogical. The solution is of course obvious if known, but if you're stuck, you really are stuck. And we all hate to consult an online FAQ or walkthrough right? Although part of the twisted humor in the game, this fact unfortunately forces many an adventurer, even veterans like me, to quit the game having a sense discontent and frustration. Of course, fans (like me) will find the courage to "sail on and scourge the Seven Seas" but many others I'm afraid will call it a quits and forfeit.

But there are many reasons why one should not give up. As usual, the humor is very likeable. You really have to be Al "The Florida Recount" Gore (sorry Al) to play the game without a constant smile on your face. Truth admitting, some jokes are pathetic and even copies of previous episodes (check the menu), but it seldom grows tiring and annoying, like when you wanted to turn your skin inside out watching Wayne's World or Dumb and Dumber.
Also, the music and speech truly meet Lucasarts standards. Dominic Armato once again is Guybrush Threepwood and LeChuck is also back… Couldn't help noticing though Elaine was covered by someone else (lack of slight British accent). The music is also great, but yet again I heard fragments of previous soundtracks, even a version of a piece of the soundtrack of Sam & Max Hit the Road (another Lucasarts adventure)! But again, nothing but high marks concerning sound&music.

One more thing. Although this is a detail, and perhaps a very silly one, I just wanted to mention it (now you'all don't fall asleep on me now, you hear?). We Lucasarts fans are usually spoiled with a rich and full colour manual and box, all neat and shiny. MI3 had a nice cover box (you know, the ones you don't have to flip open), just as GF. The design on the back was just stunning. And also, MI3 came with a large full-colour manual, with funny texts and an explanation of the first puzzles. And not to forget, the traditional mention of the Lucasarts gaming philosophy (a remnant of the "adventure wars" with Sierra). GF had a similar manual, if a bit smaller.
When I went to buy MI4, I couldn't help but notice that MI4's box was incredibly light (read: empty). So I thought: "Ok, I'll just get my CD along with a manual when I pay for it". But guess what? The cashier only put in a CD jewel case into the box! I suspected as much, and my fears came through: MI4 came with a black-and-white CD jewel case manual (you know, those wads of paper you get with games like "Street Fighter" or "Chicken Run")! No humorous descriptions, no colourful artwork, no game philosophy, no nothing! Just the basics of running around and making sure you get the interface (and even this is explained in a most boring fashion)
Is this yet other proof of the deterioration of Lucasarts or am I just a pathetic bum dreaming of glorious pastimes?

EP sez:

I think it comes down (phew) to this. Although far from being a perfect game, it is the confirmation of a great series and a spark of hope for Lucasarts (-fans). Great atmosphere, speech, music and humor are in balance with MI4's negatives, being sometimes irritating puzzles, low resolution and a constant feeling of deja-vu. Buy or no-buy? It's up to you. But if you ask me, I wouldn't want to miss a (lately rare) fine Lucasarts product!

(c) 2001 Erwin's Pages
Erwin "Reaper" Husin

Score

Gameplay: 8,5

Graphics: 8

Sound & Music: 9,5

Addictiviness (if you’re not stuck): 8

Overall: 84%

Links

> Lucasarts