Escape from Monkey Island Hands-On

When it comes to console games, humor can be a little hard to find. Most games take themselves way too seriously. LucasArts is capitalizing on the lack of funny games on the PS2 by launching a console version of its PC adventure Escape from Monkey Island this June. Monkey Island is traditionally a staple PC brand, but the console debut of this classic comedic series is set to bring rollicking high-seas misadventure to mass-market audiences after a decade-long wait. As for whether or not you should be "yo ho ho-ing" with glee about a console version of this game, suffice it to say the title will send shivers up a salty sea dog's timbers faster than a freshly spotted Spanish merchantman laden with wenches and doubloons.

Per the usual formula, players assume the role of Guybrush Threepwood, bumbling corsair. Shortly after rescuing his lovely fiancée Elaine from zombie pirate LeChuck's evil curse, Guybrush returns to find Monkey Island in shambles. As Elaine--governor of said exotic locale--has been gone so long that she has been declared dead, Charles L. Charles, a scheming politician, has had ample time to make his moves. After you foil his initial nefarious schemes, a convoluted story filled with twists, turns, undead buccaneers, no-nosed bandits, and more tasteless jokes than a Mel Brooks movie is revealed. From the moment you set foot on dry land, be advised--it's a strange and bizarre ride.

Those concerned about how the gameplay mechanics have changed during the platform conversion truly needn't be. The story is, as always, revealed through a standard point-and-click adventure framework. Amazingly, the keyboard-driven controls translate well onto your gamepad. Slight taps on an analog stick send Guybrush walking in the designated direction, while more forceful pushes cause him to sprint. Backtracking and general movement commands are much less frustrating than ever before as a result. Other welcome touches that aid in this regard include button taps that let you instantly leave certain areas and return to major in-game environments or the ubiquitous map screen. Of course, accessing and using your inventory or flipping through dialogue trees with button-based commands takes some practice, but it ultimately becomes second nature.

Other than the various control-related tweaks, however,, Escape from Monkey Island PS2 isn't much different from its PC cousin. The puzzles are identical, as is the well-written script. Players must therefore collect and combine items, outduel outlandish characters in "Insult Arm Wrestling" competitions, and think like a complete imbecile to overcome these challenges. Mind you, it's also the type of product that proudly touts two bonus Easter Eggs (one more than the PC edition), one of which is a hidden Pong clone.

Product directors Sean Clark and Mike Stemmle describe the zany humor behind the game's mindbenders as "random" and "absurdist," respectively. According to Clark, they "start with a goal and work backward to the solution," finding silly ways to incorporate puzzles along the way. That's why the plot developments zig and zag in a seemingly random fashion. It also explains a colorful cast that ranges from a bank teller who is a Britney Spears clone to the evil, bloodsucking lawyers. If sailing aimlessly with a crew of half-wits or being jailed for bank robbery sounds somewhat intriguing, chances are you'll enjoy this experiment in controlled lunacy.

Even though a final build is still a ways off, the visuals are already extremely promising. The characters and environments are rendered in high resolutions, giving them a clean, rounded look that previous incarnations lacked. Essentially, the game looks like one big cartoon. LucasArts has apparently made every effort to give the stereotypical island and jungle backdrops the royal treatment. Longtime fans should also be thrilled to see familiar faces like Carla, Otis, Murray, and the Voodoo Lady frowning back stylishly. Bright pastel hues have been used with abandon, painting cheerful noonday village scenes and dreary nighttime swamp scenes in a unique light.

Much emphasis has also been placed on voice acting. Everyone has something to say, and it's usually quite rude. No matter if you're talking with a disgruntled government worker or drunken sailor, a sharp and sometimes witty response is forthcoming. Lots of ambient seafaring sound bytes are employed, though the speech clips are the primary draw. Rather than detract from active scenes, an ample selection of audio assets is expected to fully enhance the presentation. Because of these features and a user-friendly interface, producer Shara Miller sees the product as "a good introductory game for console users." "They don't have to know many buttons, skills, powers, and so on," Miller explained. "Whereas women and various other groups may normally be intimidated by certain titles, they won't be with a game like Monkey Island."

But console junkies shouldn't find themselves put off by this apparent push to recruit atypical gamers as fans. If LucasArts follows through on its plans, both newcomers and obsessives alike should be presented with a classic, proven title--albeit one that's been slightly altered to fit a console. Either way, everyone will know for sure before summer's end. Stay tuned for further coverage.