Monkey Island 2: LeChuck's Revenge

The Good
Playing this game was like kissing my first girlfriend, finishing this game was like losing my best friend. When I think of this game "Mr.BoJangles" by Sammy Davis Jnr comes to mind. That kind of sad, longing feeling for something which you know you'll never ever have again.

Every single thing. Even as a kid I could get the vast majority of the jokes. I just played it last night again and it makes me "laugh milk through my nose". Why don't they make games like this anymore? It makes me want to burn things in frustration. The modern day Monkey Island Adventures just don't compare in my opinion. I played this before I ever played Monkey 1, hence it was even better for me than other players.

This game even taught me how to balance my funds/finance. When I was a kid, it cost me IR£45. I saved up for a full year before I could buy it. Even since I was a kid, I have had a great mind for money, and its because of this game.

I'm telling you, Ron Gilbert will never know the influence he had on the younger generation of gameplayers.

The Bad
Absolutley nothing. Well okay, the complexity for a 9 year old was extreme , otherwise absolutley nothing.

The Bottom Line
Before Doom revolutionsed the Gaming industry, this and Ultima Underworld were the top dogs. When I was a kid I could more closley identify with Guybrush Threepwood(the main character) than I could with Jesus Christ. This game is insanley hillarious, entertaining, and best of all....now completley FREE! IMO - its the best game LucasArts ever made

The Good
First and foremost, the humour. This has to be one of the funniest games I have ever encountered. I don't think that this game has a truly serious bit in its programming. The humour does range from obvious to subtle, but nearly all of it is first rate. And if you've played The Secret Of Monkey Island, then you'll notice that there are numerous returning characters and gags. Okay, so it's funny. Very good. Funny does not a computer game make. So LucasArts went ahead and put in everything else a quality production needs: the music is catchy and appropriate, the puzzles (mostly requiring the use of inventory items) are fun and challenging, the graphics fit the tone of the game, control is a snap.

The Bad
One or two puzzles were a bit too tough, but that is very subjective. As well, per-force, there isn't too much replay value here. But it's worth buying even to play just once.

The Bottom Line
A hilariously funny pirate adventure. Go get a mug o' grog and enjoy.

The Good
The return of Monkey Island is one I welcomed with open arms but could it possibly live up to the original? Well yes! MI2 is very similar in gameplay to the original except it's funnier, graphically improved and a lot bigger. There is the great addition of a puzzle difficulty level which allows beginner adventurers to try the easier setting and not get lost but also the chance for experienced players to play a tricky version. The puzzles are usually the same objective wise but the process needed to complete them is often a LOT more complex in the harder mode. The story continues in an even more hilarious fashion than before and the various bleeps and bloops that make up the sound are accompanied once again by the jaunty trademark style music of the original.

The Bad
The final section of the game can be annoying. Trying to solve puzzles only to be set upon by Le Chuck and put in a different room does tend to grate after a while. The other gripe I have is with the ending which is not satisfying at all. It's a good thing Curse of Monkey Island came out afterwards to clean things up.

The Bottom Line
Monkey Island again except going by the "bigger, better, brighter" rule of thumb. What could possibly be wrong with that?