“Grim Fandango,” a dark comedy neo-noir adventure video game released by LucasArts in 1998 has been remastered after 17 years and is now available not just on the PC but also on PlayStation 4 and PlayStation Vita.
When the video game masterpiece of writer and designer Tim Schafer was released in the late 90s, “Grim Fandango” became the defining moment of the point-and-click era in gaming back then. But it was a commercial failure since interest on adventure gaming was on the downhill already by then, details gamrReview.
Despite being a commercial dud, “Grim Fandango” was nonetheless regarded by the gaming community as one of the most acclaimed adventure games of all time. In fact, it has a GameSpot ‘Game of the Year’ award to show for it.
With the emergence of new gaming consoles over the past couple of years however, adventure gaming has come to fore once again which allowed the developer to pull the video game from the shelf once again.
“Grim Fandango Remastered” has returned with a vengeance and it now comes with highly improved game graphics, dynamic lighting, controls, classic score re-recorded with a full live orchestra, a concept art browser, plus over two hours of commentary provided by Schafer and other members of the original development team who created the game in 1998.
For a video game from the late 90s, “Grim Fandango Remastered” really holds up remarkably well because technology has certainly done wonders on it to defy its age and make it appear suited for today’s generation of gamers.
Plot and gameplay
“Grim Fandango” is the epic story of Manny Calavera, travel agent to the dead and the plot and setting draws heavily from Mexican culture and folklore, particularly the Mexican “Day of the Dead.”
The unique and evocative game takes place within the Land of the Dead which is a purgatory where souls check in after dying and start their four-year journey to the 9th Underworld.
The player takes on the character of Manny Clavera who is an undead travel agent offering travel packages to the recently deceased to enable them to get to the 9th Underworld more quickly.
Manny subsequently uncovers a conspiracy that has been taking away his clients and also wronged an innocent woman. He thus embarks on a quest to save her and the journey and the game begins. He will be thrown into unexpected scenarios and situations and it will be up to him to immerse himself to it to overcome the various challenges.
Manny will go through the game facing various puzzles that would take a good amount of time. The puzzles of “Grim Fandango” range from being satisfyingly easy to frustratingly difficult. First time gamers need just gameplay walkthroughs and they will be fine the rest of the way.
Apart from an interesting storyline, “Grim Fandango Remastered” is a highly-entertaining adventure video game for an almost two decades old masterpiece.