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Escape from Monkey Island... worth playing?

leon101leon101
edited August 2009 in General Chat
You know. There's a lot of old puzzle solving/adventure games I have yet to touch. One was that 2001 Escape from Monkey Island. I was thinking about buying it for ps2 (unless there's a place I can download the pc version directly onto my computer) I wanted to know from anyone on here who's played it, if it's worth getting. :)
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Comments

  • xChri5xxChri5x
    edited May 2008
    It's monkey island! Have you played the other games?
  • glo_kiddglo_kidd
    edited May 2008
    Of the two versions i would recommend the PS2. The control seems more natural, there was a bump in the # of polygons and the Monkey Kombat system got a retooled with an added logging feature sorely missed on the PC/mac versions.

    In my opinion its an excellent game that gets a lot more flak than it deserves. Definitely worth a play and at prices like 14-25$ on ebay its a bargain.
  • Guybrush ThreepwoodGuybrush Threepwood
    edited May 2008
    Play the first three games first (in order), and then go on to Escape from Monkey Island. It'll make much more sense. Probably.
  • leon101leon101
    edited May 2008
    Really? I've played a bit of the first, but not the other two afterwards. Thanks for responses, I guess I'll get it when I get the chance.
  • Harley QuinnHarley Quinn
    edited May 2008
    GET. IT. It's freakin' sweet. Superb, and one of my fave games ever. I'd recommend it to everyone, keeps you entertained for years!
  • leon101leon101
    edited May 2008
    Harley Quinn wrote: »
    GET. IT. It's freakin' sweet. Superb, and one of my fave games ever. I'd recommend it to everyone, keeps you entertained for years!

    Yep, I just bought it off of ebay for $25. I'm really looking forward to it. ;)
  • Harley QuinnHarley Quinn
    edited May 2008
    You don't be disapointed!
  • xChri5xxChri5x
    edited May 2008
    Was it ever released on Gamecube?
  • SoultakerSoultaker
    edited May 2008
    It's definitely worth playing!

    There was some complaining about that came because it was different from (and arguable not as great as) the earlier games, but in an absolute sense it's great fun, even if you haven't played the earlier games.
  • HaggisHaggis
    edited May 2008
    xChri5x wrote: »
    Was it ever released on Gamecube?
    No, just PC, Mac, and PS2.
  • UdvarnokyUdvarnoky
    edited May 2008
    I disagree that the PS2 version is the superior one (despite having more suitable controls), but yes, you should play Monkey Island 4.
  • leon101leon101
    edited May 2008
    I like having comfortable controls. Seeing as the game uses the same engine as the Grim Fandango game (as I read on wikipedia) the ps2 sounds like it's very suitable.
  • UdvarnokyUdvarnoky
    edited May 2008
    The PS2 port is definitely solid (mostly because LucasArts themselves did it). Both versions have their trade-offs, it's just that for me the PC version has way less of them.
  • leon101leon101
    edited May 2008
    Aside from controls and maybe load time. I can't think of too many differences there would be with the pc and console port.
  • UdvarnokyUdvarnoky
    edited May 2008
    Here are the differences I'm aware of:

    - PS2 version has native gamepad controls. Note though that the PC version supports gamepad controls should you have one
    - PS2 version has higher quality voice and cutscenes, since the game is on a DVD whereas the PC version was mandated to fit on two CDs
    - PS2 version has choppier animation, and is choppier overall
    - PS2 version has "nine times as many polygons" for character models, but I can't actual see any difference with my own eyes, except maybe that aliasing isn't as noticeable
    - PC looks better overall for obvious reasons, though both versions are sadly the same resolution (higher resolution options for the PC would have been much better...I'm guessing disc space is again the culprit)
    - PS2 version features two-player Monkeyball (the unlockable mini-game)
    - PS2 version features bonus unlockable mini-game, "Monkey Invaders"
    - PS2 version lacks iMUSE as well as voice overlap effects due to having to read everything off a disk
    - PS2 version has much longer load times than the PC version, which has near-nonexistent load times if you elect for full hard drive install
    - PS2 version has very nifty in-game Monkey Kombat chart
    - PS2 version has rumble support
    - PS2 version renders a couple of things differently and has bigger text to accommodate TV display
    - PS2 version has a concept art gallery
    - There is apparently slight disparity between some dialog between the two versions. Specifically the PS2 version may weirdly have an extra line of dialog or two. I remember finding one of them but I can't think of it at the moment.

    Bottom line is that the PC version is superior excepting controls and audio compression, and since I have a PC gamepad and the keyboard controls don't really bother me, the PC version is the clear choice for me. I can definitely see someone liking the PS2 version better though - it was the complete opposite of a shoddy port.
  • leon101leon101
    edited May 2008
    Hmm... alright. Choppier, I some how expected that. I have no problem with it though, nor do I have any problem with long load times. After all, I had no problem with the load times in RE Outbreak and they are long, without a hard drive add on, but I can withstand it.
  • purple_monkfishpurple_monkfish
    edited June 2008
    Dunno, only ever played on pc.

    Yes it's a good game but no, it's not a good MONKEY ISLAND game. Disregarding the blatant raping of the MI mythos (bah I say, BAH) it's still a fine and enjoyable adventure game.
  • BadwolfBadwolf
    edited June 2008
    Yeah, I thought it was pretty enjoyable when I played it (I had the PS2 version). It was only a few years later I stopped liking it.

    I had the PS2 version which was reasonable enough, and I have tried the PC version (didn't get too far in it though, the controls were horrible and I didn't have any PC controllers to hand).
  • FriarFriar
    edited July 2009
    I would say go for the PS2 version if you don't have a PC gamepad. The keyboard controls were awful for me (i played the PC Demo aswell). I would also say to track down Curse of monkey Island beforehand if you haven't played any others, although it doesn't matter excessively which order you play them in as bar the intro, they stories are pretty much independent (although EFMI brings back a few old faces for character development).

    I played CMI and EFMI pretty much simultaneously, and, whilst i didn't get the full plot experience (i hadn't met the hermit before) they were still very enjoyable (ignoring the filing system, and the fact at the time i couldn't use an analogue clock)
  • Plunder_BunnyPlunder_Bunny
    edited July 2009
    purple_monkfish wrote: »
    Dunno, only ever played on pc.

    Yes it's a good game but no, it's not a good MONKEY ISLAND game. Disregarding the blatant raping of the MI mythos (bah I say, BAH) it's still a fine and enjoyable adventure game.

    I think I would have enjoyed it better if it was not a Monkey Island Game. I agree, if you have never played any Monkey Island games, it is a good game. It feels like this game was professionally done fan fiction, rather then part of the monkey island series.
  • SHODANFreemanSHODANFreeman
    edited July 2009
    People who came into Monkey Island via EMI seem to think it's awesome, whereas old fans seem to think the game is a foul abomination, I'm half and half on it. The first half is awesome, the second half is an abomination.
  • youmaycallmemurrayyoumaycallmemurray
    edited July 2009
    It's great except for the annoying monkey combat. not as good as the other three but still a great adventure game.
  • Dan2593Dan2593
    edited July 2009
    Pale Man wrote: »
    People who came into Monkey Island via EMI seem to think it's awesome, whereas old fans seem to think the game is a foul abomination, I'm half and half on it. The first half is awesome, the second half is an abomination.

    I came in from EMI and I didn't like the second half.
    Loved the mid game plot twist
  • guitarsareboringguitarsareboring
    edited July 2009
    Well I'm an 'old school' fan and I enjoyed the game. Sure, it wasn't as good as the original trilogy (oh, hello Star Wars), but as an adventure game it stands up well on its own.

    And I enjoyed Monkey Kombat... although it took some learning.
  • LuigiHannLuigiHann
    edited July 2009
    I'd say it's worth playing... mostly. I got the PS2 version, played up to the Monkey Kombat part, and then youtube'd the ending. The PS2 controller makes the gameplay feel pretty smooth and palatable, and the story and jokes ar,e for the most part, entertaining.
  • Darth MarsdenDarth Marsden
    edited July 2009
    It's the weakest of the series, but considering how awesome the series is, it's till a pretty good game. The controls are the biggest problem, but get a joypad for the PC and you'll be fine. Lot of great lines in it. "Be very very quiet - I'm huntin' Ozzies" and "I may be a dunce, but at least I'm a mighty pirate dunce!" are my favourites.
  • Plunder_BunnyPlunder_Bunny
    edited July 2009
    If the mid game plot twist was what happened with HT, that right there ruined the game for me... well among other things.
  • KordKord
    edited August 2009
    I "came from" Secret of Monkey Island way back in 1991, was awed when I then noticed the was a sequel coming, loved the sequel!
    Was excited when I saw another Monkey Island in 1997, but was disappointed at the time with the game (replayed it recently: thought it's great, great graphics for the time, cool story, nice try to resolve the ending of LeChuck's Revenge).
    When Escape from Monkey Island was announced, I was excited again nonetheless ("yay, Grim Fandango isn't the last adventure game by Lucasarts!"). And I LOVED the game, very funny. And what was wrong with Monkey Kombat? It totally worked for me.

    Recently, it was time to be excited AGAIN, and you all know, Tales of Monkey Island was worth the whole 9-year-wait!

    (So, yes, you could love MI4, even if you started with Secret of.)
  • Darth MarsdenDarth Marsden
    edited August 2009
    I think the main problem with Monkey Kombat is that, unlike with Insult Sword Fighting, you couldn't possibly remember all the possible combinations needed, so inevitably you ended up writing down all the moves, making it feel more like a strategy title then an adventure.

    It was a novel idea, and I gather then PS2 version had an in-game chart that kept record of all the moves and whether Anxious Ape beats Gimpy Gibbon or not, but on the PC version, it got old fast.
  • Dan2593Dan2593
    edited August 2009
    Plunder_Bunny wrote: »
    If the mid game plot twist was what happened with HT, that right there ruined the game for me... well among other things.

    That's the end twist.
    Mid twist was Charles'D'Charles
  • HitmanHitman
    edited August 2009
    Hey, did you hear of the SPOILER tag? I still have to play Escape! Just because you have already played it doesn't mean that everyone in the world has done it too! Have some RESPECT for your forum colleagues. We are on a PUBLIC forum! And this isn't even the hints section. Is it THAT hard to put a spoiler tag? They might as well disable that function.
  • coolsomecoolsome
    edited August 2009
    the ps2 had more added like elane stopping u if you use the seal on anything when you reture to mele island but the pc has the cool murry head when you type skull
  • Plunder_BunnyPlunder_Bunny
    edited August 2009
    Dan2593 wrote: »
    That's the end twist.
    Mid twist was Charles'D'Charles
    oh... I guess I blocked out most of the game... I don't remember it that well...
  • zmallyzmally
    edited August 2009
    don't listen to the haters, download the free demo and see for yourself!

    It's a great game in my opinion. But not up to scratch with the other three, but there's no shame in that. I still say CMI was one of the best games ever designed, at least graphically. And in terms of humour. :P
  • PedroBrushPedroBrush
    edited August 2009
    I´m gonna be totally honest:

    -The puzzles were cruel
    -the story was not very exciting
    -there was no humor
    -the animations and art were experimental
    -there was too much efford to make a lot of things funny and weren´t
    -why the hell did it all look like an episode of the smurfs?
    -the interface was VERY VERY BAD
    -I didn´t finish the game, I got bored of Guybrush crashing into walls and having to use the keyboard to solve a puzzle I had to go check in the internet because it was imposible....
  • BadwolfBadwolf
    edited August 2009
    Good grief, I just watched some of the game on Youtube for old time's sake, and I didn't remember it being that ugly.

    The graphics were abysmal, even in the pre-rendered cutscenes. Scurvy-inducing 3D indeed.
  • Plunder_BunnyPlunder_Bunny
    edited August 2009
    I gotta admit... I loved 256 pixel art. I know I'm strange... but it left so much room for the imagination! CMI was hands down the best art in Monkey Island... The cast just didn't 3D very well.

    By the way Pedro, AMEN BROTHER!
  • shrefshref
    edited August 2009
    funny thing is, people would probably think its a pretty good game if it didnt have the words monkey island on it lol
  • elaine treepwoodelaine treepwood
    edited August 2009
    Dumb question.
  • roberttitusroberttitus
    edited August 2009
    Hitman wrote: »
    Hey, did you hear of the SPOILER tag? I still have to play Escape! Just because you have already played it doesn't mean that everyone in the world has done it too! Have some RESPECT for your forum colleagues. We are on a PUBLIC forum! And this isn't even the hints section. Is it THAT hard to put a spoiler tag? They might as well disable that function.

    Well to be fair, nobody explicitly stated any spoilers... they just alluded to them.
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