Summary
Absolutely crazy, the best way possible
The Good
"LeChuck's Revenge" is often called "the best video game sequel ever". Considering the fact it was a sequel to a truly fantastic game, and therefore had to be top quality itself, it is really a great compliment. But I think it was justified. The greatest thing about this game is that it didn't merely repeat all the stuff that made the first game great - no, it went its own way.
"Monkey Island 2" is much crazier and much darker than the first game. I played this game two times, and I always felt I was participating in some sort of a grotesque performance. Or, better to say, I felt there was another game inside the one I was playing. There are no limits between dream and reality, and especially the truly
genius ending confirmed and sealed all the insanity that the game had.
The humor is now more grotesque, less naive-romantic, black and nervously-hilarious. Just watch that skeleton-dancing cut scene or the insane spitting that takes place when Guybrush and Wally are hanging over a pit of acid. This is the kind of weird humor that made the game so original for that time. Of course, now such things don't surprise any one any more, but "Monkey Island 2" was really the first that introduced such kind of humor into adventure games, and later games just imitated it.
And the puzzles? Carrying a
monkey in your inventory, using the most improbable inventory items with the most improbable stuff... I can't bring any examples here, because no spoilers are allowed in reviews, but you've got to trust me on this one: the puzzles of "Monkey Island 2" were like nothing seen before. Unfortunately, they got copied by many other games...
The dialogues are extremely funny, just check out the conversations with Elaine or with Stan (who became even funnier in this game). Generally, "Monkey Island 2" is one of the funniest game I've ever played - it is perhaps the funniest Monkey Island game around. Just think of the spitting contest or that totally hilarious library on Phatt island... There is no end to jokes, puns, pop culture references, and what not.
Now, I was among those few who really
loved the ending. I even think it was the best part of the game! It was absolutely weird, very dark, strangely romantic, and in a certain way, even tragic...
And, finally, the graphics - even better than in the first game, one of the finest examples of hand-painted 256 color graphics ever. The characters are also better animated. And Guybrush looks cool with his beard!
The Bad
Well, to tell the truth, there wasn't much of a story in "LeChuck's Revenge". At least not the same charming stuff that we had in the first one and that returned in the
sequel. There was also no true direction to all that craziness - hilarious situations and puzzles just were there, without following any system. Then again, maybe it was good so?..
The Bottom Line
This is the game that gave birth to what has been imitated countless times ever since - a truly
hilarious comedy adventure. It is much crazier and wackier than the first game, and although it doesn't quite have the same charm, it definitely went further in making the whole business
insane. Another great classic that deserves a statue built in its honor.
