Our prayers have been answered and the lovely people at LucasArts have laughed at everyone who said adventure gaming was dead. Guybrush Threepwood is back in another swashbuckling pirate adventure with monkeys.
Back from honeymoon Guybrush is faced with another woeful journey of pirate proportions with many a pun and insult along the way. This time it is presented in stunning 3D and the same brilliant animation we all come to love from a LucasArts adventure. Just look at the screen shots and you will see how good it looks in its Technicolor glory.
Right from the start the game reminds me of the ever expanding tree view of windows explorer. First we are given a simple task: stop some git from trying to demolish Guybrush's mansion. The tasks then expand in to greater detail and you are dragged further into the story visiting a vast array of scenes to collect, and use various objects to perform certain tasks. Talking to characters along the was starts up a very funny dialogue which cleverly holds many a clue, which you can forget from laughing at the jokes.
The game itself varies in difficulty and the puzzles range from using an object you pick up, to insulting people to gain their favor. It sounds strange but its fun. The first instance of this is when you are trying to recruit a navigator for your ship. I won't say why else I may give away too much of the story, but to get this pirate to join your crew you much insult and counter insult him in an arm wrestling contest. Every time your insult actually insults him, you gain further towards wining the contest. If you lose, you can try again which is good because I hate games that don't give you another chance. Those of you who have played the third installment of Monkey Island will remember the insult sword fighting bit. Its very similar to that.
The speech as ever with a LucasArts adventure is flawless and the graphics being 3D actually enhance the game rather than hinder it. Up to now I don't think its the funniest adventure, I much prefer Day of the Tentacle, but it is the best for many years, and will keep you happy for many weeks, although the puzzles are very linear and logical, but its easy to miss some simple things from the dialogue and find yourself looking for a walkthrough to see where to go next.
Overall
Escape from Monkey Island is a very well policed game that utilizes 3D graphics in such a way that enhances the gameplay. The best adventure for many years. Buy it now, and thank LucasArts, and prey some more for the next release.