The Curse of Monkey Island

What can I say? Curse of Monkey Island is fantastic. The story is good and solid, but appropriately silly, the jokes are hillarious, the puzzles are puzzling... you couldn't ask for more in an adventure game. The "You don't need to see my identification" bit is in itself well worth buying the game for, not to mention Murray, who has become the hot topic among many of my friends (only some of whom have played the game). You will love this game. And if you don't, too bad!

The Curse of Monkey Island. Released excactly 6 years after the success of Monkey Island 2. You would think with Monkey Island 2's wierd ending that it would finish Monkey Island once and for all. But, it all turned out to be a trick to lure Guybrush into captivity. But enough about that, the whole jist of this is that Monkey Island has returned, and the voices are just phenominal. If LucasArts were to make a movie/cartoon of Monkey Island, this would probably be what it would look like, and sound like. It's plot is real good, and everything about it is just awesome. If you haven't heard about the Monkey Island series, buy the Monkey Island Archives or The Monkey Island Booty Pack and play through all the games starting with The Secret of Monkey Island, then Monkey Island 2, and The Curse of Monkey Island. Monkey Island 4 was real good, but this one tops them all.

The 3rd installment in the brilliant Monkey Island series is undoubtably the best. Guybrush Threepwood is back with his usual antics, only this time it's in sound!

The graphics is of huge improvement in this game. It's kind of Disney-type drawings rounded off by a stunning background. The voicing is excellent and becomes incredibly funny towards the late beginning of the game. Murray, the talking skull is classic, and Denny Delk does a smashing job as the poor fella.

The game has a great plot and very loveable characters, and although you miss Ron Gilbert's fantastic directing, the new crew does what Gilbert did about just about as good as the big man. Overall, Monkey Island 3 is without a doubt the best installment in the briliant computer game series.

The Curse of Monkey Island has always been my favorite of the series. A vibrant visual look, an excellent soundtrack and brilliant voice-cast all create a memorable and humouristic adventure.

Graphics wise the game is definitely not a let-down. Though some corners have been cut the over-all feel of the game is reminiscent of Disney Feature Length Animations. The gameplay is simple and even a novice will get the hang of it soon enough. The game also offers a little extra for the more experienced players with its Mega Monkey Mode.

The voice-cast is one of my favorites. Dominic Armato's sympathetic voice makes Guybrush complete and Alexandra Boyd is simply charming as Elaine. Earl Boen makes for a wonderfully sinister yet over-the-top villain, LeChuck. Also the game's charm is added by memorable characters like Wally (Neil Ross), Murray (Denny Delk) and one of my personal favorites Haggis McMutton (Allan Young, voice of Scrooge McDuck). My hat also goes off to the late, great Kay Kuter and his memorable secondary-role as Griswold Goodsoup.

Michael Land's tropical and wonderful soundtrack once more graces the Monkey Island adventure, comprising of some of the best tunes in the business. The game isn't perfect and some locales are not as well detailed as other, but I had no gripes with the simple ending of the game which I found very satisfying.

COMI is the third in Lucasart's series of Monkey Island games and benefits from the advanced technology available for the first time in a Monkey Island game. The action is depicted through wonderful, cartoon-style graphics and for the first time we get to hear Guybrush et all speak. In my opinion, Dominic Armato does a great job in voicing Guybrush.

The plot is faithful to its predecessors: Guybrush has to save Elaine from the evil Zombie pirate LeChuck. The trouble begins when Guybrush proposes to Elaine, and involuntarily inflicts a curse on her.

Throughout his adventure, Guybrush again travels the Caribbean and comes across several excellent characters. Personal favourites are Murray and Mr Fossey. The dialogue rarely fails to be witty and entertaining and the puzzles are pitched at a suitable level for most gamers.

It is generally perceived that the ending is somewhat disappointing, a criticism which is not unfair. But this is one minor negative in a game with more than enough features to recommend it. If there has ever been a better point-and-click adventure, I would love to play it.