Monkey Island Triple Pack! (The Secret Of Monkey Island (PC))

Member Name: andycharger

Product:	The Secret Of Monkey Island (PC)
Date:	18/09/02 (193 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Good gaming , tongue in cheek humour

Disadvantages: Looks dated

For all the nostaglic people in the audience, Im going to tell you about a great set of "tongue in cheek" cartoon acventure games that go by the name of Monkey Island.
Strange name I know and an even stranger game!
Whats more, it was a number 1 best seller every time the next version of the game came out.
How to describe it? Well, think of it as an unsexy Lara Croft/Tomb Raider type game but with more gags and less plot. Rather than missions in our world, they are based in the swashbuckling world of pirates and mystical sea dogs!

So what is in the pack?

Well you have 3 versions of the game in this pack. all have a different story and plot but with underlying similarities. Obviously the earliest game, Monkey Island 1, is so dated, its almost not worth installing.
The Second release is marginally better but the 3rd is very playable even on today's high tech computers.
Its nice to own all three in this cheap pack and see how the game, graphics and sound evolved during the few years that the games were developed.
I liken the evolution of the game to Grand Theft Auto. The 1st one was popular but not very good. The 2nd, better but the 3rd is an absolute mind blowing classic.

Basic Plot.
Monkey Island 1.
Ok, Our Hero is Guybrush Threepwood who is a bit of a would be pirate but without the general nastiness that goes with it. On his quest to become one he meets the girl of his dreams, Elaine Marley. unluckily for Guybrush (and Elaine) she gets kidnapped by the evil ghost pirate LeChuck. Guybrush must now embark on a hazzardous and somewhat comical journey to get her back.

Monkey Island 2.
Guybrush returns after successfully resuing Elaine in the first Monkey Island to pursue his treasure once again. The "Big Whoop" must be found before Lechuck can find it. Constant battles and escapes are needed once again.

Monkey Island 3.
In this episode you manage to kill your ar
ch enemy, Lechuck but even in death, he comes back to haunt you. His curse turns your girlfriend Elaine into a gold statue. You must now lead Guybrush on a quest to lift the curse.

As you can see, each story has the same-ish plot. Fight the evil pirate/save the girl.

Installation.
Believe it or not, the older game takes longer to install. This is because it requires much more user input to get it loaded up. However, none are exactly taxing on the resources and will load onto most computers in minutes. Minimum spec is so low, even a ZX81 could run it!

Graphics.
Not bad in the later game but the original and 2nd game need some work. Its a good way to measure game development and technology with a series of games spread over a few years like Monkey Island.
Although they flow smoothly in their "cartoon style" animation, they do look dated now.

Sound.
An American's view of English pirates is how I can describe it. All the relevant and realistic sound effects like swords and cannons fighting and parrots talking but in a corny American way. Even this is much improved in the 3rd episode of the game.

Typical action.
Well, its an adventure game with problem solving throughout. A typical senario is:
You are locked in a room.
Door cannot be opened. There is a big cannon in the room tethered to the ship. It cannot be turned around. Answer?
Cut the tethers, light the fuse and hold on! It fires and blows you an itself through the door backwards!
These are the sort of daft methods you need to work out to complete this game. One that must be undertaken with a sense of humour as serious gamers will soon get bored with it as being rediculous.

Enjoyment level.
I found this truly enjoyable as I like adventure games. Its nice to see one that actually does not take itself too seriously. In fact, some of the tasks are quite intriguing and require a bit of skill. It is this factor tha
t keeps you addicted.

Who is it most suited for?
Teenagers would appreciate this and some adults. I think children would like the cartoon aspect but it may be a little too difficult for them. Also some of the action is a little agressive and loud at times.
Some might get scared.

Price.
The pack is still available in some places for as little as £10 but you need to hunt for it or get me to do you a copy ;o)

Overall.
A truly enjoyable game and you cant argue at £10 for 3 new games.

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