Grim Fandango

The Good
What did I like about Grim? Well to be perfectly honest, I liked everything. Everything about the game is perfect, the characters, the story line, the puzzles are puzzling, but not blindingly obvious or mind numbingly difficult, and the music! Don't even get me started on the music, I downloaded all three songs that you can get from the home page, they're all origianl, and well, brilliant! - I like the fact that when you talk to people who have playefd the game they can say "Hey do you remember the bit where...." and you totally understand what they're talking about and can have lenghty talks on the game. - I like the fact you can play it over and over and not get tired of it (heaven forbid) - I like the way you can identify with each of the characters - I like the little details that have been added, for example, when your at the Cat racing stadium, you can stand by the balcony (where if you go to near Manny says "No, that jump wouldn't do it") and listen to the cat races, each is different, and has some witty comment in it, brilliant.

The Bad
What I didn't like about Grim was the rating this site has given it (4.2) I think it deserves higher, 4.7 at least. But don't take my word for it, play the game yourselves.

The Bottom Line
This game is a "Must Have" piece of gaming history,

The Good
Pretty much the whole thing. Superb presentation backed up with some of the best graphics in an adventure game to date. Glorious cut-scenes with beautiful sweeping camera angles, giving the game a more cinematic and film-like quality than any other game I've ever seen. Terrific characterization, to the extent where you can tell the rudimentary personality of some of the characters after about 2 lines of dialogue. The puzzles are rock-hard! Just the way they should be. Many require deep lateral thinking as well, especially later in the game. There are many deep and varied locations to visit, including the fantastic gambling port-side town Rubacava, and on the bottom of the sea bed. Our hero, Manuel Calavera, oozes charisma and charm making him a joy to control. The atmosphere is believable and immersive. Oh, and it also has the world's best soundtrack. It is Lucasarts and everything, so you can expect this to some degree. But it blends forms of Jazz with Mexican folk music in a seamless way as if the two were born to go with each other. This leads nicely onto the art work and whole theme of the game which once again, blends film noir with Mexican folklore with art-deco. If you want any proof of the incredible attention to detail and professional quality of it all, look in the inside of the CD case.

The Bad
If you're a novice when it comes to adventure games then this will take you some time. Admittingly, some of the puzzles are a bit dodgy and unrealistic. For example, the one on the roof of the Department Of Death building in the first quarter of the game. You may find the game boring as well, like someone I know. In which case see a psychiatrist.

The Bottom Line
This is how adventure games should be done. Proof that money equals results. Not to mention it's by that virtuoso games designer Tim Schafer. This one drips class. Go buy.

The Good
Good graphics - 10 year later still the graphics are good and smooth for an adventure game, in which the graphics are not the primary important thing for the genre. Great story and great story telling, unique characters, clever puzzles, good reflection of the Mexican culture. Voice acting is great, especially Manny's. Music is delicious and harmonic with the atmosphere of the game (do something good for yourself, also buy the soundtrack album with the game) There are lots of things to say about this game because overall this is a wonderful piece of art.

The Bad
Is that a joke? How can I find something to dislike about this game? Well ok let me try; I think the keyboard based control system sucks a little bit.

The Bottom Line
Grim Fandango is a Lucas Arts classic, featuring all the classical Lucas Arts elements. I think this is the greatest adventure game of all times. A must-play.