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Retro Graphics in this game

3 Rating: 3, Useful: 1 / 1
Date: March 03, 2002
Author: Amazon User

I was surprised that this game, the fourth in a series, had returned to graphics that looked like a PlayStation game. The previous game had much more detail, the people looked like people, and the background actually had some depth in it. This time around, LucasArts went for a flat look that sometimes drove me crazy because Threepwood would disappear behind something and I couldn't get him out! This is not to mention the top-view parts of the game where Threepwood was transformed into a tiny 8-bit character. He was hard to see and hard to control when he was that small. I recommend playing this with a joystick, if you have one because the standard mouse cannot give you the fine control that you need sometimes. The puzzles varied from easy to figure out to the brainpuzzling monkey insult war and swamp trek. The sounds in this game were Above Average. All the characters had a different voice, a different accent, a different way of speaking. (reoccuring chracters had the same voices as in previous games) The music was excellently chosen from the creepy music in the swamp, to the kooky music for Stan the Salesman. A cute tip: if you type the word "skull" at any time of the game, Murray comes out to laugh at you. The game lets you go at your own pace, nothing is timed. Great for those who like puzzles!

Return to the Classics

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 1 / 1
Date: November 26, 2001
Author: Amazon User

So many people in this day and age want a return to the classics. They clamor for the good days of old where things were happier than they are now. Escape from Monkey Island tries hard to keep the spirit of its classic predecessors, but in reaching so far in some areas it falls short in others.

The Monkey Island games originated back in 1990 with pixilated graphics, text-only dialogue, and superb puzzles and plot. You played Guybrush Threepwood, pirate-wannabe intent on capturing the love of Governor Elaine Marley of the Caribbean's Tri-Island Area. However, the heck-spawn Ghost Pirate LeChuck also sought the governor's love, kidnapping her, and this sent Guybrush on a magical journey to rescue her from LeChuck's clutches.

Two installments later, Elaine and Guybrush were finally joined in holy matrimony at the (woefully short) end of The Curse of Monkey Island, arguably the best game in the series.

And thus, we come to Escape from Monkey Island, which opens after a three-month honeymoon during which Guybrush and Elaine were hard at work consummating the marriage. However, when they arrive back on Melee Island, their home and the location of the governor's mansion, they find that all is not well. (...)

The first thing you notice when you get into the game is that the designers seemed intent on using the backstory that has built up through the previous games. Actually, that isn't the first thing you notice; the first thing you notice is the new 3D style. At first, I wasn't sure how this would change the game's classic feel, but rest assured. It gives it even more cartoony a feel than before. The interface, however, is a different story. For some reason the designers saw it fit to abandon the incredibly easy point 'n click of the earlier titles and implement a keyboard only system: the same one that gave both critics and consumers alike complaints about Grim Fandango. The people I've talked to are divided over the interface. For me as well as many others, the keyboard just takes some getting used to, but for more critical gamers, the keyboard is far too clunky. You decide.

After noticing the new presentation, you start to notice the writing and the aforementioned backstory. I am speaking literally when I say that if you haven't played the previous games in the series, you won't understand half the jokes. Immediately you meet up with Carla and Otis, shipmates from the original Monkey Island, and Guybrush starts making cracks about pickpocketing, insult swordfighting, breath mints, and other things that gamers new to the series will only be able to say "Huh?" at. Even if you did play the prequels, much of the humor is too over-the-top and generally humorous rather than actually being funny.

Still, though, there is a lot to like in this game. The plot is even more whimsical than in previous titles with many more twists and turns (in contrast to the relatively straight-forward plot of so many other LucasArts adventures, the notable exception being Grim Fandango), the puzzles are good, and some of the writing is undeniably hilarious.

At the end of it all, I can't help think that this is the end of the Monkey Island line. All the right factors are there in the ending sequence. It's really a shame for gamers if it is, not only because there will be no more hilarious adventures with the originality that the series has come to offer, but because this isn't really a fitting end to the series. Don't get me wrong; it's still a great game with a lot of appeal, but it doesn't live up to the expectations of fans or the reputation of its predecessors, which is hard to do.

PROS: It's a Monkey Island game! 'Nuff said.

CONS: Due to some issues with the interface and mediocre writing in places, it just doesn't live up to the other games in the series.

BOTTOM LINE: If you've played the first three games and are anxious for more monkey madness, you need this game. If you haven't, wait to play the first three before you try this one. If you were unsatisfied with the other games in the series, this won't do much to change your mind.

I want mouse support

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 0 / 1
Date: February 12, 2002
Author: Amazon User

This game is a fun but i am missing mouse. after playing first 3 games in the series with the mouse, keyboard feels hectic.

The best

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 0 / 0
Date: March 19, 2002
Author: Amazon User

I loved this game. The 3-d effect is so cool. It adds a little bit more personality to the game and I feel like I'm in it. The humor is hilarious and the music is the best. They need to come out with the soundtrack. The controls are more involved. No more point and click. The creators of this game of outdone themselves this time. Will their be a 5th one? Hopefully. This game is wonderful and is recommended for all ages.

Not as Much Fun as "Curse of Monkey Island"

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 0 / 0
Date: June 03, 2002
Author: Amazon User

Actually, the GameSpot review by Ron Dulin (you can find it in the Editorial Reivews section of this web page) really hits the nail on the head. If you liked the previous Monkey Island adventures, you'll probably enjoy this one as well, although there were a few irritating design flaws &/or problems.

First of all, Guybrush is particularly difficult to navigate when he is very small; it's hard to tell which direction he's pointing until you move him forward and see where he goes. I found the keyboard interface clunky, and really missed the clever mouse control used in "Curse." I had the game lock up on me early on, and I stupidly hadn't saved yet, forcing me to start all over again from the beginning. The Monkey Kombat sequence is cute, but the rather amusing payoff sequence doesn't quite make up for some serious irritation with the process of learning and engaging in Monkey Kombat itself. My last complaint revolves around the character of Herman Toothrot, and I have to use a bit of a spoiler to explain the problem, so be warned. You have to throw a series of objects at Herman's head to get him to divulge information, and eventually, to get him to hand over a crucial item for the completion of the game. The programmers seem to have used some sort of toggle switch device to great disadvantage here. Of course, any "Monkey Island" player in the spirit of the game will start hurling anything in their inventory at Herman's head, often several times over once they've realized that this could lead to information; something I think the programmers forgot to take into account. Throwing an object at Herman once might get him to divulge information, but throw the same object at him again and you're back to square one and he clams up. This is the only case (although an important one) where you can go backwards in terms of a character's knowledge within the game. LucasArts is usually much more diligent about such issues, and I was both irritated and disappointed. If this problem doesn't make sense to you, don't worry about it (you're probably more clever about gaming than I am).

Criticisms aside, I did enjoy the usual Monkey Island features we've all come to expect from the series; cornball humor, amusing situations, pop culture references, anachronism, and comfort in the knowledge that LucasArts has designed a game where you are not going to be randomly killed off after hours and hours of time invested. Guybrush and Elaine are great characters, with far more personality than some star-crossed lovers in a current sci-fi movie that George Lucas might be familiar with. I liked the ending of "Escape" much better than "Curse" (I thought the amusement park sequence dragged on too long), and I hope that more Monkey Island adventures will soon follow.

What a game!

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 2 / 2
Date: February 02, 2002
Author: Amazon User

The series of "Monkey Island" is a funny, interesting, creative game that keeps you playing for hours! I highly suggest buying the "Monkey Island" series.

Its Pink

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 1 / 1
Date: January 23, 2002
Author: Amazon User

Okay, so maybe it isn't pink, but it is a great game. I love the Lucas Arts Adventure games with their blends of humor and puzzles. Sure, Myst series may have better puzzles, but the monkey Island series has more humor. Escape keeps in line with all the previous of the series. It features a good plot, tons of fun one liners, and insult sword fighting (plus now monkey judo). It is a hilarous game and well worth the money. Play it, you won't be dissappointed as long as you like to laugh. Oh, and Lucas Arts.....WE WANT MORE ADVENTURE GAMES!

Ye better hope yer sword be sharp as yer wit

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 1 / 2
Date: February 04, 2002
Author: Amazon User

...because this game is rather difficult! Nevertheless fun, of course, and EXTREMELY funny in spots, but I think ye better get yeself a strat guide, matey.
Talk to the mouse in the Lua Bar!

Escape From Monkey Island (MI4)

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 0 / 0
Date: January 20, 2002
Author: Amazon User

Escape From Monkey Island is brilliant. Its funny, origional and enjoyable for all ages. This is the 4th of the Monkey Island (MI) series and is as fasanating and as hilarious as the first 3. I played this on ps2, at first i was dissapointed, as the starting sequence was dissapointing. In mi3 (The Curse Of Monkey Island) the start was much better and well drawn. Many people say that the plot wasnt that good, but it isnt supposed to be. The plot isnt important, its the characters and the things they do and say. I was extremely pleased that Murray was in mi4, and it was amazing to go back to Melee island where mi1 was set. I am a Monkey Island fan, and i bought a ps2 only because i wanted to play this game. That is how amazing it is. 11/10 for another outstanding, side-splitting produced by LucasArts.

I LOVE this game!!! Ü

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 0 / 0
Date: March 27, 2002
Author: Amazon User

This is my favorite game. I LOVE it!!! All of the Monkey Island games are fierce, but this one is my favorite. I really like the 3D characters. You don't have to have played the other three, it will still be fun, but I reccommened it because then you will get some of the inside jokes from the other games better, and you'll know the characters. They are a lot of fun, too. I strongly reccommened playing the other three.

If you do choose to play the other ones (which I hope you do), don't expect too much as far as sound and graphics go. In the first two you don't hear the characters speak, and they aren't as cool, but it is still SO HILARIOUS and SO MUCH FUN!!! In the third one you can hear them talk, and they are cartoons, so that is so much better. The fourth one is absolutely the best so far, though. I can't wait until the fifth one comes out!!!

I would also reccommened using a walkthrough, but ONLY USE IT IF YOU ABSOLUTELY CAN'T THINK OF ANYTHING ELSE TO DO. I can't stress that enough. It is not nearly as fun if you already know how to beat it. I only say to use it because some of the puzzles do not have obvious solutions.

To sum it up, this game is the most fun game I have ever played. It is challenging, adventurous, and above all SO FUNNY!!! It is filled with great characters, hilarious dialogue, and awesome puzzles. If I could rate this on a scale of 1 to 5 I would give it a 7!!! I'm a huge Monkey Island fan!!!!

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