It seems to be the year of re-mastered games from the 90s. After Gearbox announced the release of "Homeward Remastered Collection," LucasArts' classic adventure game "Grim Fandango" has been resurrected as well.
Making an appearance after 17 years, the Grim Fandango Remastered version is here to take a grip of your senses with its gripping narrative and powerful characters.
The Department of Death's lovable travel agent Manny Calavera returns to engage gamers as the journey in the Land of the Dead. Manny sells luxury travel packages to souls who are on a four-year journey to eternal peace. However, all is not rosy and there is trouble brewing in Manny's paradise as Mercedes Colomar walks in.
As the adventure shapes up and a virtuous woman is left in the sidelines, the dependable Manny sets off on his mission which is ridden with classic game puzzles waiting to be solved.
The strength of Grim Fandango Remastered lies in its powerful and engaging narrative, which draws from Mexican folklore. The Art Deco design combined with the heady dose of film noir contribute in making the narrative appealing despite the passage of time. Throw in the charming characters that grow on the gamer as the game progresses and there's a winner!
However, not much has changed in terms of the presentation when compared to the original version. Gamers also have the option of switching between the original and the remastered graphics. However, this seems a little jarring as some of the objects seem affected by the lighting. The resolution of the remastered version disappoints and the lighting makes it difficult for one to trace the characters.
It does not seem that too many changes have been made with the exception of the soundtrack, which has been re-recorded by The Melbourne Symphony.
The game is in 4:3 aspect ratio and the gameplay has hardly any noticeable changes. A much-needed autosave feature to warn gamers of ensuing risks is also missing in action. While Manny's movements see a slight tweak and a point and click feature has been added not much has changed. The inventory updates, on-screen clues or even the tutorial is the same.
Moreover, some of the puzzles are annoyingly unclear and sometimes even though you manage to get the required item, you are clueless on how to use it as visually the game does a terrible job in this department.
Grim Fandango Remastered may not have made too many changes, sticking instead to the tried and tested - which is a smart move considering it makes gamers connect to the version they remember playing. Overall, Grim Fandango Remastered does not disappoint and is a good resurrection.
Here's what some of the reviewers are saying:
"Grim Fandango remains a gleaming jewel, albeit one in an antique setting, a ring that holds great meaning for me but doesn't slide so easily on my finger anymore," says Laura Hudson of Wired.
"The passage of time has done little to diminish Grim Fandango's reputation as one of the finest adventure games ever made, and the fact that so little needed to be done to modernize it only reinforces its place as a classic of the genre," notes Ryan McCaffrey of IGN. "Whether you've never played Grim Fandango before or you replay it every year and just want to dive into Remastered for the insightful developer commentary track, this is a reverent re-release whose few bygone era warts are minimized by its timeless story."
"Grim Fandango is a comedy, a romance, an adventure, and sometimes a farce, but more than anything, it's alive," writes Anthony John Agnello of Digital Trends. "Playing Grim Fandango doesn't invite you to try on a different life; it mirrors one so affectingly like your own that even its strangest corners feel real."
"Grim Fandango's greatest triumph, however, is that you needn't overflow with nostalgia to appreciate its greatness. There is only this boisterous world and the unionized bee-demons that inhabit it, which you see through the eyes of one Manny Calavera, an everyday hero that has rightfully earned a place in video game history. Even if you don't know what happens at the end of the line, you're guaranteed to enjoy the trip," says Gamespot.
"It's beautiful, it's funny, it's capital "C" cool. But as someone with no attachment to the original, it's hard not to wish for a version that makes it easier to find the brilliance without climbing through so many caveats," notes Polygon.
"It was an instant classic back in 1998. It's still very much a journey worth taking today, albeit ideally with a walkthrough," per Eurogamer.
"If you can survive the rough edges, it's a great chance to finally see what all the fuss is about or relive an adventure classic," is ArsTechina's verdict.
"New audiences may struggle to turn back the clock and enjoy all its challenges, but if the choice was between preserving a relic and modifying it into a hit, then Double Fine made the right call," says Gamerant.
