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|  | | Title: | Monkey Island: Special Edition Collection |
| Release: | UK 09-09-2011 | | NORDIC 09-09-2011 | | US 06-09-2011 |
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 | | The Secret of Monkey Island is one of the most beloved adventure games of all time, and with good reason. For one, it's hilarious. Clicking on pretty much anything in this game results in an epic LOL. But it's also an expertly-crafted enterprise that serves as a shining example of how to make a compelling point-and-click game. Almost 20 years after its release, it remains a blast to play. This Special Edition is a suitable homage to the original, offering both the retro experience and a slick new HD version with full voice acting. If you've never discovered The Secret of Monkey Island for yourself do not hesitate to download this version and find out why so many gamers hold it dear to their hearts. If you have played the game but it's been a while, note that the new art and voice over are the only new things to find here. Beyond the cosmetic changes, this is exactly the same game you played in 1990.
You play as Guybrush Threepwood, a pirate wannabe willing to do whatever it takes to become a swashbuckler. He has come to Melee Island seeking his fame and fortune, and before his tale is through he'll have pointed and clicked on every man, woman, beast, and object in sight. Working your way through the game is a matter of talking to people, picking up items, and using them in peculiar combinations. Solutions to puzzles can often be esoteric, but that comes with the territory. A bit of trial and error will get you through most predicaments. This Special Edition includes a handy hint function, where at any time you can hold down the square button for a clue on what to do next. Old school point-and-clickers may cry foul, but I found it very helpful in keeping the game enjoyable and frustration-free. I doubt many gamers out there could get through this entire game without some type of help. But the developers of Monkey Island have your back, and you're free to experiment with anything in the game without worry of punishment -- you can't die, lose, or get yourself stuck.
The new art is slick, if a little generic. Water, in particular, looks great here. Characters are animated in the same herky jerky way as the original, as though the updated visuals have merely been drawn over the old game. Each original sprite seems to have a new counterpart. Guybrush and his pals have a slightly different look, which may disappoint some fans. They've actually been made to look more cartoonish, perhaps in an attempt to match the look of the new Tales of Monkey Island games. The good news is that, at any moment, you can press the Select button and revert to the original graphics and sound. Every time I would enter a new scene, it was a delight to compare the new look to the old. The original graphics have a certain charm to them that the fancy pants new visuals just don't.
Each character now has a voice, and overall the acting is very well done. The soundtrack has also been revamped -- although, again, it's a treat to hear the original, tinny midi tunes. Ambient sound effects have been added to nearly every scene, and when you switch back to the retro game it often seems eerily quiet.
One irksome recurring problem with Monkey Island is that interactive objects are sometimes difficult to see. You may be stuck somewhere, only to realize you were expected to click on a piece of wood that is indistinguishable from any other. This is particularly problematic when you arrive at Monkey Island later in the game and have to navigate the jungle from a bird's-eye view. There are locations to investigate in the wilderness but you'll only find them if you happen to mouse over them. This is why that hint button didn't bother me.
I had never played the original Monkey Island, and it took me around seven hours to stroll through this Special Edition using a hint or two along the way. Once the game's over, though, there's nothing else to see. Completing the adventure doesn't unlock anything additional to do.
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