Secret of Monkey Island SE - Review (PC Version)

I forced myself to fire up Monkey Island SE for the fourth or fifth time so I could complete it and get it out of the way. That was how I felt on loading up the game - but it's actually a harsh sentiment on what is a golden nugget of gaming history.

Having missed the original game the first time around and considering it's reputation, I was very pleased on hearing of a modern updated special edition being released to celebrate it's er 19th Birthday. On seeing the price of £6 I jumped aboard (pardon the pun) eager to experience what is meant to be the funniest point and click adventure ever.

I'm happy to report it's still very funny, which surprised me actually being two decades old. Some of the gags are hilarious with lots of self aware humour and repeated catchphrases too. The reasonable voice acting complements the rib-tickling very well and a special mention has to go to my favourite characters, the jazz-handed used ship salesman Stan and the grumpy old shop keeper who has a great line : "I suppose I could trek all the way across the island - AGAIN!" Of course, you had to be there.

The visuals are nothing to write home about, although I could not imagine them being better considering the budget price and to be fair some of the backdrops are nicer than others. In fact by pressing a button at anytime in the game you can switch back to the original version in real-time and that is when you can truly appreciate how far gaming graphics have come in the last 20 years.

The main problem of the game though is the same problem that caused the 'Point and Click' adventure genre to disappear some 15 years ago. The gameplay mechanic is just too darned simple forcing the designers to throw bizarre 'puzzles' at you to keep you challenged, some of which you would never get in a million years.

This conveniently brings me on to the very helpful 'H' button which gives you tips if you are stuck, eventually shouting the answer out if press it enough times. Its inclusion is a testament to how impatient us gamers are in modern times, preferring to zap through content instead of scratching our heads at a barrier. Still, I feel I got my moneys worth as I played through most of the first half of the game without the need of assistance.

A highlight was defeating the sword master by learning witty retorts by fighting pirates passing by - hilarious. A definite purchase for Monkey Island fans or veteran gamers who missed out the first time and are curious of the game's legacy.

LOTRO : Winding down

So it's been a few months since a new area (Lorien) and the server seems to be fairly quiet in the middle of this summer holiday season.

So what have I done in the last few weeks?

Not much really. Done the turtle run again and actually won his head as a trophy for my house. Been to Skumfil and finally managed to complete my class quest so becoming a Martial Champion and now have the invincible skill which upgrades the adamant buff skill but also resets some very significant cool downs.

Oh and I got my arse kicked again in Dark Delvings, but then that is supposed to be the hardest boss in the game.

My sub ends next month and it's looking very likely that I will take a break from it and enjoy some other games.

LOTRO : Book 8 finished! (spoilers)

So, after my previous post I am rather relieved to report that the final chapter (6) is a lot easier than the rest of the book!

Quite a fun instance actually, the 3 man run which we completed first time took about twenty minutes and contains no adds at all, just six or seven big monsters that are fairly easy to despatch - as long as you bring poison and fear pots.

One of the bosses encountered in Vol2 Book8 Chapter6

After collecting the third piece of armour completing the book8 set, I had that familiar feeling of 'Well, what do I do now?" All I have left are the 6man instances - some of which I have not even been to yet. I would love to take a break right now but my subscription lasts until mid-september. I'll see how I get on with finding 6-man groups - I just now how tough the Hard Modes are, but I might get a lucky run...

I also had another go at the Turtle raid in the same session and actually won a barter Nimrodel Emblem, I ran to the nearest Barter excitedly only to be let down with disappointment - you need four of these things to acquire a 1st age weapon, oh well...