The Curse of Monkey Island

"The real curse of Monkey Island is endless fun"

Lucas Arts, in my opinion, made their market when they started bolstering the fledgling adventure game genre with games like Loom, Maniac Mansion, The Dig and, of course, The Secret of Monkey Island. This is what they do, and this is what they're good at.

The Curse of Monkey Island's style is no different from games of its kind in the past. As the third game in the Monkey Island series, The Curse of Monkey Island shows that improved graphics and sound aren't the only things needed to make a game good. You still need to have an engaging story and interesting game play that can match, if not best, other titles, especially if they're predecessors in the same series. Lucas Arts delivers on all accounts, with better sound, graphics, dialogue and quite the interesting story.

You once again reprise your role as self-proclaimed pirate and all-around nice guy, Guybrush Threepwood, and this time you're off to save the love of your life, Elaine Marley, from certain doom (i.e. marriage to the evil ghost pirate LeChuck.) Of course, being of the Monkey island genre, this general plot concept is nothing new (rescue the girl from the evil ghost pirate), but each game, The Curse of Monkey Island included, has it's own unique spin on the idea.

When the game starts, you have to finagle your way off LeChuck's ship, snatching a diamond ring in the process. Once on shore, you run into Elaine and proceed to put the ring on her finger. Wait! The ring is cursed! Too late. Elaine turns into gold and is subsequently kidnapped by LeChuck's minions, and thus setting you up for your next big adventure.

Game play is the same as it's always been with the Monkey Island series - after all, it's a point-and-click adventure. If you've played as Guybrush before, or if you've ever played any type of point-and-click adventure, you'll feel right at home with The Curse of Monkey Island. The movement of the display seems natural and unforced, save for a few isolated times, and the general layout of the screen during play is incredibly easy to use and nice to look at. With quick, familiar access to your inventory and interactive items, The Curse of Monkey Island does well in keeping with tradition and providing players with an excellent control set.

The graphics are rendered in a hand-drawn animated style, which really glues together the lighthearted feel of the game. Playing the game is much like watching an interactive Saturday morning cartoon. The locations and backdrops are all wonderfully put together, with gorgeous, layered effects, blurs, etc. It's a very clean and well-laid out interface, and the colors really stand out nicely. Also, subtitles are a welcome addition to any adventure game, especially for certain players who may be hard of hearing.

The sound is where the game really shines, however. The light, rhythmic beats of Caribbean music float around wherever you go, changing from light and airy on the beach to somewhat ominous when in the presence of almost certain peril. The sound effects are wonderfully constructed as well, in the cartoon-y style that sets the tone for the entire game. There are plenty of great tunes that you would probably want to listen to on a Caribbean cruise. Very cool, very relaxing – and the score increases the games' depth at least four-fold.

If you're a fan of Lucas Arts, adventure games, or the Monkey Island series in particular, pick this game up! As a faithful follower of this genre, I can honestly say you will not be disappointed.

Reviewer's Score: 9/10, Originally Posted: 08/13/04