Tales Of Monkey Island
I.E. NOT Monkey Island 5.
Telltale Games
For PC, PS3 and Wii.
4/5
I always get excited when I hear there are new installments of Monkey Island. The original two were possibly my favourite childhood games.
The first time I saw the third in the shops it was like Christmas and two birthdays come early, and I hadn’t even bought it yet.
The fourth had the same effect,
Tales, again had me in fits of anticipation. Though there were concerns about the move from Lucasarts to Telltale. Would they keep true to the originals or try to make it their own?
Fortunately, Tales hits a nice middle ground and came out great!
Made in the style of Telltales episodic adventures, Tales Of Monkey Island is a story arc set over a number of episodes. Each one works in a similar way to the chapters of previous games, apart from the way that you must load a different episode to continue the story rather than complete the chapter. Which I think gives the opportunity for cheaters to skip parts, but I would assume that anyone wanting the full experience of the game would patiently complete each episode in the correct order.
The first sets the scene, beginning at the end of a fictional Monkey Island 5, in which Guybrush Threepwood (our hero) has braved numerous trials to bring a magical voodoo sword to defeat his nemesis, the Demon Pirate LeChuck, once and for all.
This doesn’t go to plan however, and sets in motion the events of the story.
Tales introduces a number of new characters, and brings back a few old faces that fans may be pleased to see. I won’t give details here, so that I do not ruin it for potential players. The new characters are definately there to put the Telltale stamp on the series, but they are as captivating as some of the old favourites.
The graphics are Telltales cartoonish 3D, based on the look of Curse Of Monkey Island (MI3), but Guyrbush is dressed in everyones favourite outfit from MI2: LeChucks Revenge, including the beard.
In themselves they are nothing special, but for the style of the game are completely complementary. I very much liked the realistic look that Secret of Monkey Island (MI1) and MI2 tried for, but for the comic action in the game, the cartoon style suits it.
The controls are simple, though a little difficult to get used to at first, as Telltale depart from the simple point and click structure of previous titles (except MI4). You have to drag Guybrush around the screen to make him move, and then click on objects to interact. It works well enough, but I think it removes some of the flexibility that the previous games had for creating puzzles.
Some of the puzzles get slightly repetitive, you will find yourself wandering around forests trying to figure out where you are, where to get to and how to get there a lot of the time. Each time though will be soved by following different cryptic clues.
The charm of Monkey Island games however, has always been the characters and the story. Tales Of Monkey Island does not let you down on this front. There are some interesting twists thrown in, and I am happy to admit that I am keen to see another installment explaining at least one of the loose ends. Loose ends intentionally left to give me that feeling no doubt, but I am happy to have them.
Adventure games have always been a bit of a niche market, but if they are something you are keen on, then this game is definately worth your while. Telltale are doing a fine job of rejuvenating the genre, and I look forward to more.
Monkey Island fans in particular, will not be disappointed.
