Comment by fredrikholm
17 hours ago
I found Grim Fandango in a pile of discounted games as a tween in the 2000s. There was a cool skeleton in a suit on the front cover, so I bought it based on that.
Even though I didn't understand most references and sarcasm, few games have grabbed my attention as Grim Fandango did. The art work, the music, the writing. The whole game oozes of style that I've never seen replicated.
Even some 20+ years later I can almost recite most of Act I from heart. If you haven't played this game and like adventure games, this is one of the best.
Thank you for linking OP, this made my morning.
Late to the party here: If you liked Grim Fandango you will probably get a kick out of Sam and Max Hit the Road: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sam_%26_Max_Hit_the_Road
Sam & Max is amazing. I think about it often. I should replay it.
I would also recommend reading all of the comics you can get ahold of, and then also watching the Fox TV show.
I have never played through Grim Fandangoo in full, but in my peer group memes from this game permeated so thoroughly that when I see a pigeon I will too often end up shouting at it, "Run you pigeons! It's Robert Frost".
I first played it in my 40s when the remaster came out, and it's one of the best games I've played. It holds up incredibly well, particularly with the modernized controls.
So if anyone is wondering if this is just nostalgia, or if the game actually holds up, it's the latter. Just play it.
When I initially saw the game characters, I thought "this is janky". But by the end of the game, their personalities had won over my heart.
Tim Schafer is really good at this. Psychonauts has a large cast of deformed-looking characters, but you'll love them all by the end.
Absolutely this. The game is a prime example of how characters can drive engagement.
I played the demo and it's been at the top of my "to play" list for decades. For one reason or another, I just never have yet. Majora's Mask is also at the top.
There are a few bad puzzles (especially one regarding infernal critters) that one can use a guide for, but mostly it was a blast to finish it back in the day. Such a unique story by itself and then in a rare comedy / noir style on top! It's kind of crazy how they even came up with it.
I still remember the feeling of the ending, and the end credits music when the violin kicked in as it played the Manny & Meche theme! The music is at least as good as this game.
Soundtrack is dope as well
Well worth playing the remastered version. It makes the control a bit more bearable but otherwise feels like the original.
Do it, it's a beautiful work of art.
It's well worth playing despite the many years passed since its release. I first played it in 2020 (despite knowing of it since its initial release), and had an absolute blast of a time.
Majora’s Mask is fantastic
Not to be a downer about a masterpiece game but…the demo ends right before the game starts proffering anti-logic puzzles.
The puzzles are so bad. Like how in the world is somebody supposed to think of that stuff. It’s total nonsense lmao. Still love the game, but a walkthrough guide is mandatory. Might even start a new game this weekend
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I remember playing it back in the day and I was severely unimpressed. Compared to Full Throttle it just felt clunky and the 3d art wasn't nearly as good as the amazing pixel art. I ended up never finishing it.
It released with unbearable keyboard controls instead of the familiar point-and-click. If I remember right a remaster eventually came out that allowed mouse control.
I agree that I hated the 3d though. This was a bad patch for games when everyone wanted to go 3d for the sake of it, even though it looked and played worse.
Yeah the keyboard controls were awful, apparently it was because they wanted the game to have a console port using a gamepad.
Thing is I bet the people who played it are right too, I just never managed to bring myself to play more than a few hours of the game before getting frustrated. Bad controls + 90s point-and-click-puzzle-design + early 3d graphics is not a good recipe.
Full Throttle was criticized for its dumbed-down point-and-click (basic only 3 actions + using items, instead of the usual verbs), but that was the sweetspot for my early-teens mind. Can never get enough funny responses of using the lick action.
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You're missing out; give the Remastered/Extended/whatever edition a try
Same for most LucasArt games, Day of the Tentacle, Monkey Islands, and the others
Unique game. Also to think that they pulled out that beautiful 3D toon feel before toon shaders were made.
Same, it's one of those things that stays with you for life.
For similar feels, check out Disco Elysium
Planescape Torment
and almost anything by Amanita Design