Another Daily Rodent thingy.
The Lucasarts classic, The Secret of Monkey Island, has recently been given the Special Edition treatment and released on Xbox Live Arcade. We’re giving the game the “tag-team” treatment: While Mogwins played through the original back on the Amiga some 19 years ago, MrsMogwins is new to the whole adventure game genre. Between them, they might be able to provide opinion on both the game itself and what’s been added in the update. Maybe.
So, what precisely are we dealing with here?
Mogwins: It’s essentially a straight remake of the classic Ron Gilbert/Tim Schafer/David Grossman graphic adventure, Monkey Island. There’s been a visual overhaul, a complete voice track has been added and the controls have been (somewhat successfully) modified for the Xbox gamepad, but otherwise it’s wholly faithful to the original. Same characters, same story line, same jokes, same puzzles.
MrsMogwins: It’s a game which allows you to be a pirate. I like being a pirate!
Um, great. What else is new?
Mogwins: Not a huge amount. Which is a decidedly good thing. They have added a nice hint system, which so long as the player resists over-use, is a welcome addition. The Achievements also work well. They’re not too difficult to hoover up, but they encourage a replay or two and reward players who explore the non-essential corners of the game. Oh, and now you don’t need to swap 8 floppy discs.
MrsMogwins: New? Are there other games that let you be a pirate – why did no-one tell me before?! My name is MrsMogwins, prepare to die!
OK…. So how does Monkey Island hold up in 2009?
Mogwins: Remarkably well. The humour still works, which is the main thing. Good writing is still good writing a couple of decades later. It’s also a nice change of pace from the majority of Xbox titles. I’m really hoping they give LeChuck’s Revenge the same Special Edition treatment.
MrsMogwins: You interview like a cow!
Riiight. So, an essential purchase then?
Mogwins: I’d say so, yes. It’s only 800 MS points, which is not bad at all. It’s a huge slab of nostalgia for us veterans, while standing on its own merits to newcomers. Everyone’s a winner.
MrsMogwins: I like being a pirate!
Of course you do, dear. Stay tuned for more insightful tag-team reviews in the future. Maybe.
