Monkey Island: Launch of the Screaming Narwhal

The original Monkey Island holds a special place in many gamers hearts. Its mix of challenging gameplay, interesting plot/characters, and hilarious narrative made it a classic. Ah, the good old days...

With modern remakes or continuations of classics, there's always some worry of whether it will stay true to the original. Usually, the newfangled graphics and technology get in the way of what's important. So here's the million-dollar question: does Launch of the Screaming Narwhal live up to the high standards of the Monkey Island franchise? The answer is a resounding "yes".

The game begins with our dashing hero, Guybrush Threepwood, in the midst of attempting to save his wife Elaine while confronting his arch nemesis: the evil ghost pirate LeChuck. Also, there's some weird voodoo stuff going on with a bunch of magical monkeys that LeChuck has captured, and Elaine is less worried about her own safety and is far more concerned about the humane treatment of animals ("Will someone PLEASE think of the monkeys?!"). The dialogue is comic gold, and I found myself laughing out loud regularly.

The intro acts as a tutorial, as you search for the final ingredient in Guybrush's magical cutlass recipe (root beer?) so he can defeat LeChuck and save the day. Walking, investigating, and the game's brand of problem-solving are introduced, and it does a good job of giving the player a general feel of how Monkey Island works. To interact with stuff, simply click it and Guybrush will add his two cents in as he gets to work. Movement is with the mouse or WASD, but the mouse control scheme was a little touchy during as I used it, so WASD ended up being much more convenient. Anyway, Guybrush's valiant attempt to defeat the villain is foiled, and he ends up (via some unfortunate coincidences) knocked overboard. He's washed ashore on Flotsam Island, where all the wind flies into the island, making it impossible to leave on a boat. Logic won't stop Guybrush though: he's got a wife and nemesis to catch.

The graphics are fully 3D, and quite impressive. The game eschews realistic graphics for a very cartoony and stylized look, which definitely adds to the humor (Guybrush's facial expressions are quite amusing). The environments are detailed and very interactive, as is expected from an adventure game such as this. Something I noticed and was impressed by was the camera. The camera is always placed in a way that doesn't impede gameplay, but is slightly more dynamic than the typical profile view you see in other point-and-click games. Nothing major, but it gives it a more cinematic feel.

And if the visuals don't blow you away, the music will. The original composer for the Monkey Island series returns with more reggae-ish tunes. Watch out, though. I've been unconsciously humming the music for a while now, and it's probably not going to stop anytime soon.

But wait! There's more! The original voice-acting cast has returned as well, and they give wonderful performances. The voices are perfectly matched with their characters, and it just adds some more frosting on the already sugar-sweet cake.

Monkey Island has just about everything that a loyal fan could ask for, and it's just as awesome for the uninitiated. I only have one real problem with this game, and it's something that I knew about beforehand, so I was expecting it. My complaint is this: this is part 1 of 5. It will take 5 months before we'll see the entire game's completion. This isn't necessarily a flaw, especially if you don't mind the wait. I, however, WANT IT NOW. The wait will kill me, I'm certain. Take that as a very strong endorsement.

Graphics:
Everything is stylized, and perfectly suited to the tone of the game. The characters are full of life and are well animated.

Sound/Music:
The music will sound familiar to fans, and will quickly infect the subconscious of a whole new set of players. The voice acting is lively and hilarious to listen to.

Gameplay:
Monkey Island: Launch of the Screaming Narwhal is a shining example of what a point-and-click adventure should aspire to be. Imaginative puzzles and clever problem solving challenges are abundant.

Concept:
The situations in Monkey Island games are always ridiculous, and they keep you on your toes. Launch of the Screaming Narwhal is no exception, and it feels just as fresh and original as the rest of the bunch.

Value:
Depending on whether you appreciate the episode or not, this game might seem like a bit of a letdown in the value department, comparatively. But, for what's here, Monkey Island is a decent value.

Fun:
Fun and funny, Launch of the Screaming Narwhal is a great, whimsical ride. It will keep any gamer, fan or not, entertained.

Overall:
There's a reason this series has a following, and that's because they're a blast. I can't recommend this game enough without running out of hyperbole, so here's the final line: Monkey Island is fun, for everyone (undead soulless pirates are the exception to this rule, but just barely).