I think it’s safe to say that The Secret of Monkey Island is the single greatest computer game of all time.
That game is responsible for so many of my ambitions growing up. Back when I was very young I would watch my cousin Andy play the game incessantly, and I learnt to read specifically so I could play the game too. The artwork of the game inspired me to draw, something I don’t do so much these days. The fantastic dialogue, utterly superb story and brilliant characters made me want to write stories of my own. Monkey Island helped shape so many of my goals growing up. It’s my favourite game ever and, like a good book, I replay it once a year every year forever.
You have no idea how excited I was to wake up this morning and discover that not only are LucasArts releasing a special edition for the Xbox 360 and PC, but that TellTale Games are working on an episodic series of sequels.
Go to the special edition website and check it out. They’re not just repackaging the original game. They’re giving it a complete overhaul. They’re going back and recording the voices for all of the characters (the original game was text-only, with the characters getting voice actors for the third game in the series). They’ve reanimated all of the sprites, repainted all of the backgrounds. They don’t appear to Lucasing the game, either – it doesn’t look like they’re going to do silly things like add more background characters to Melee Island™, or make the clock in the centre of town show the correct time. This is not, haha, a Lucas’d remake like A New Hope. This is the exact same game we played twenty years ago. They’re just giving it a polish for us. The option to switch between the original graphics and the new versions at any point during play is indicative of that, and is a fantastic touch.
I watched the video on LucasArts’ website, and I smiled. Lots. It looks like LucasArts will be at E3, so hopefully I’ll get a peak at the game on Tuesday. I’m overjoyed that series creator Ron Gilbert is involved in both of these projects. The man’s a genius, and to continue Monkey Island without him would be a travesty (as evidenced by Escape From Monkey Island, which was a disaster).
I’m going to stop typing now and play Monkey Island again.
This is awesome, Ben. Monkey Island is one of those games I wish I’d been able to play when it was out.
“the man’s a genius, and to continue Monkey Island without him would be a travesty (as evidenced by Escape From Monkey Island, which was a disaster).” – Personally, I think Escape from Monkey Island is brilliant. I love all of the games equally myself, except MI2 (which is my least favourite due to some really stupid character/plot decisions). Still love that too, though.
Anyway, to say that EMI is a travesty because of a lack of Gilbert implies you also hate Curse of Monkey Island since that was equally Gilbert-less. Personally, I have very mixed feelings about the man. I love that he created the Monkey Island universe but I have a lot of issues with him, too (which I can’t be bothered to go into, here)
Let’s just say I’m glad they got some fresh blood in for MI3 or we wouldn’t be seeing a new Monkey Island game, today.
The Secret of Monkey Island and LeChuck’s Revenge = best video games of all time.
Still, I have to say, despite the fact that Gilbert gave a real golden touch to the first games, MI3 was rather good as well. M14 was pretty good too (not as good as Grim Fandango, the other 3D adventure, but good nevertheless) most people just believe to be a “disaster” because of the 3D.
Tales of Monkey Island has been really promising so far, as I have enjoyed Telltales’ Sam&Max-games. Lookin’ good.