Monkey Island 2: LeChuck's Revenge

The Good
Since The Secret of Monkey Island sold well, it was not surprising that LucasArts decided to do a follow-up. After Guybrush Threepwood completes the three trials and dealt with LeChuck, he is now searching for the legendary “Big Whoop” treasure. Much of what you have seen in the first game can be seen in the sequel. You have the copy protection screen, this time requiring users to input a number of ingredients needed to make a voodoo recipe. You have to turn the wheel in such a way that the numbers match what is on the screen, or you won't get into the game.

What's unique about Monkey Island 2 is that it offers two game modes, the normal mode and a “Lite” version. The “Lite” version is aimed squarely at a younger audience and is much shorter than the normal mode. It also bypasses a few puzzles, so you won't, for example, get to participate in the Spitting Contest or resurrect Rap Scallion. The game is told in flashback since we see Guybrush hanging by a thread and telling Elaine how he found Big Whoop. After this, you have the nice credits with a beautiful rendition of the MI theme song. The only thing I enjoyed out of this was the dancing monkeys and Guybrush telling them to get lost.

When I finally got into the game, I noticed how neat the revamped interface is, removing the Turn On/Turn Off commands (Since you didn't get to use these commands in the first game, they were unnecessary.) and adding proper pictures to inventory items. I also noticed the background music while you play, and I enjoyed listening to those reggae tunes. I actually found myself tapping my feet to the music at times.

Most of the characters from the first game are here, and there are as funny as they were back then. Speaking of funny, Monkey Island 2 is always known for its humor. Examples: You can walk into the woodsmith's hut on Scabb Island and ask that tounge-twister for an amusing conversation with the woodsmith; or beg the men of low moral fiber just for a bucket; or rattle the garbage can outside a mansion's kitchen to make the chef come out, and run around the house while the chef curses at me. I just can't wait to hear what the dialogue sounds like in the Special Edition of the game.

There are a lot of hand-painted backgrounds, causing the graphics to be rich and colorful than those in the first game. In my opinion, most of the stunning backgrounds are found on Phatt Island.

The Bad
For such a great game, the ending just doesn't seem make any sense.

The Bottom Line
Monkey Island 2 is a great game that every MI fan should play every once in a while. It is much longer than the first one, and there is a lot of humor added to the mix. An easy version of the game can e played by beginners if they want to skip the puzzles, but they would me missing out on the best aspects of the game. I enjoyed listening to the reggae tunes that make up the background music. Monkey Island 2 worked beautiful on my P4/1.8G, no timer-related issue or no crashes. There was no need to use DOSBox or some slowdown program. Unfortunately as I upgraded my machine, running without emulation software became more irrelevant.

The Good
The fact that it's plain perfect. The humour is constant, and even though it's an old games, the animations are great. I played this a long time ago, when 256 colors still were kind of new. But hell if I don't play it at times. This game has great replayability value. The fact that there's a 'lite' version gives you the chance of playing the game and getting the overall idea. But then, to go on to the 'full' version. This adds 20-40 locations and a LOT of puzzles. The normal puzzles are harder as well.

The Bad
Not much. I love this game and keep it by my bedside.

The Bottom Line
This is a game you must have played if you like adventure games. They blow away almost every Sierra adventure game, except Gabriel Knight 1, which is a similar game. Play both. Play them until your thumbs bleed. You'll agree when you do.

The Good
This game came out directly after MI1, and had everything that could be expected from a sequel...plus more. This game focuses much more on humor than the first one does, or all the other for that matter...but hey, isn't that what's important?? To have fun in a game? Guybrush has a little bit more of an edge in this game, and is now a real pirate. But he's still as goofy as ever.

The Bad
The sounds really weren't anything, but the game didn't need good sounds, it had great music, using the iMUSE system.

Ok, we all know about the ending. And frankly, I don't see anything to complain about. It's still funny, isn't it? And the credits were halarious, weren't they? Nothing wrong with the end, at all.

So uh, in other words, nothing is bad about the game.

The Bottom Line
Monkey Island 2 is the more bizarre game out of the series. Although it's a little hard, I still suggest you play it. It's well worth it and can still possibly be the best of the series.