Monkey Island 2: LeChuck's Revenge

The Good
Unfortunately, it's difficult to speak highly of this game, without comparing it to numerous other games.

The graphics, sound, and gameplay of this game were all top-notch. The same LucasArts humor is here, but as an "adventure game", it's far above all of their other products.

Nearly every other LucasArts adventure game (Secret of Monkey Island, and Curse of Monkey Island, and Full Throttle, and Sam and Max, and so on) suffered from what I consider to be one huge flaw -- all of these games had a lot of unnecessary "filler" material, that detracted from the actual adventure. For example, in the other two Monkey Island games, you had to spend a large amount of time dicking around with "insult sword-fighting". While it was amusing, at first, it would get old very quickly.

In Full Throttle, you had to spend a bunch of time driving around mountain roads, fighting other bikers. I can't even remember what the purpose of that exercise was, aside from stretching out playtime.

More often than not, I found myself wanting these non-game sequences to be over with, so I could continue following the game's main story.

Monkey Island 2 has none of this kind of "filler" material - it's all story, baby!. Sure, it has its share of inventory puzzles, but for the most part, they all made sense.

The game world also seemed a lot "bigger" than the other games in the Monkey Island series, and it was fairly non-linear. If you're stuck on one particular island, for example, you could take a break and go to another island and fiddle around with the puzzles there for a while.

The Bad
Well... there were one or two maze puzzles that seemed a bit haphazard and slapped together... but those could've been a lot worse.

The Bottom Line
This is, in my opinion, one of the best adventure games ever to be released by LucasArts (and certainly much better than most Sierra games). It's even good as a stand-alone game. While it's certainly not required to play Monkey Island 1 first to understand what's going on in this game, you'll only miss out on a few in-jokes.

The Good
Monkey Island 2 picks up where the first game ends and has our famous pirate wannabe on another grand quest to locate the fabled treasure known as, Big Whoop.

The sequel wisely retains both the user-friendly SCUMM, point n' click interface as well as the comedy and general feel-good pirating of its predecessor. Familiar faces such as Voodoo lady, LeChuck, and the lovely Governor are all part of the sequel as well as new islands, puzzles, objects and a cast of eccentric friends and foes.

Monkey Island 2's graphics, animation, music and sound effects are all noticeably improved upon since the first game. While the game is certainly harder, with some more complicated puzzles, it never becomes unfairly difficult and does not offer anything nearly as insane as what was involved in opening the store owner's safe in the first Monkey Island game.

Fans of point n' click adventure gaming, especially of the SCUMM LucasArts variety, should certainly give this one a try.

The Bad
While a clear improvement over the first Monkey Island game, the sequel's early 1990''s graphics, animation, music and sound effects cannot but help seem dated. The drab maze in LeChuck's fortress can be frustrating and will require taking great notes or using an online guide.

Perhaps the biggest complaint in the game is that Monkey Island 2's ending. If you do successfully locate the fabled treasure and defeat LeChuck be prepared for some very odd plot twists, which have stirred up some confusion and controversy among Monkey Island fans.

When Monkey Island 2 ends, the Secret of Monkey Island is still a secret. The fabled treasure of Big Whoop seems less then worthy of its vast mythology and the player is initially left wondering if the entire adventure was just the imagination of a boy.

The Bottom Line
Monkey Island 2 is a classic, pirate themed point and click graphic adventure game by LucasArts. It successfully improves upon the first game, while retaining the features that made it great. These days finding a great adventure game is not an easy feet and the Monkey Island franchise is probably the Holy Grail of the genre. Fans of the genre should certainly give this one a try. Look behind you! A Three-Headed Monkey!

The Good
This game has it all: Unique story, intriguing plot, clever puzzles, memorable characters, ingenious humor, vast areas and superb music! It is a prime example of interactive drama.

The Bad
Monkey Island 2 is my best point and click game, so there are not many bad things to say about it. If I can complain of something, it is the small part of the role of Elaine Marley. Elaine is such a powerful person, that whenever she meets with Guybrush, she shapes a moment that moves the narrative forward.

The Bottom Line
Monkey Island 2 is one of the finest point and click adventures, so that it can be found regularly on the lists with the top video games of all time. The game is the sequel to the legendary "The Secret of Monkey Island" and both games have fairly gained a cult status and many followers. Monkey Island 2 shares many beautiful elements that make this sequel an instant classic: A funny protagonist, an original adventure, interactive music, exotic atmosphere and an unexpected ending. LucasArts created an adventure that feels real and doesn't limit the player's imagination. If you are keen on video games with a big world and its inhabitants, you should experience this Caribbean setting at least once.