Never has a game that focuses on dead people been more filled with life
The creation of Tim Schafer, the genius behind Full Throttle, Day of the Tentacle and Psychonauts, Grim Fandango combines Mexican mythology, a film noir plot and 1930's art deco style to make a smooth well-rounded adventure. The story line is deep, for a start. Other Lucas Arts games, notably the Monkey Island Series, have had more of a comic touch (that's not a bad thing by the way), but GF has an immersive dramatic plot that keeps you captivated until the last. Yeah, there a parts that'll make you laugh, but when you see the first "sprouting" it's like something out of "The Godfather". 'Cept with more flowers. The music is also fantastic, with South American folk music, jazz, swing, and big band sounds all appearing. It really combines the themes beautifully.
Onto the graphical presentation. This game came out in 1998, but looks like a masterpiece. The faux 3D environments are beautifully drawn and aid the drama immensely. A fantastic example is the city of Rubacava. The main character, Manny, find himself the owner of a casino, after being stranded there a year previous, and you actually believe it. The whole city gives off this air of quiet sleaze, from the club where the beatniks hang, to the docks where the worker bees are striking, to the imposing sight of the blimp hanging over the race track, Rubacava isn't just a city in a game, it feels like a city in itself.
It's interesting I've got this far without mention the obstacles in this game; the puzzles. As with most LucasArts adventure games, you really have to detach your mind from real life situations. I mean who knew that jamming a forklift truck into a lift shaft could help a situation? Not me. But anyway, the puzzles, yes indeed, are all very inventive, and always keep you on your toes. Whilst some can be slightly tedious (it took me almost a year to get past the tumbler puzzle, A WHOLE YEAR. Not in one go of course, which would be weird...) others require original and inventive thinking. When you use a scythe for example to get a metal detector from a giant cat litter, it's a great puzzle. When you rip a ship in half using a pair of anchors, it's a great puzzle. When you get a form signed by a secretary by changing an automated response from a computer, it's a great puzzle. Hmmm. There's a pattern building here.
But as with all games, there are negatives. The control method can be a little annoying as there is no clicking on items. Manny will turn his head to look at items of interest, and you press the button to interact with said item. However this can become problematic when you are in an area bountiful in interactivity, and Manny's head starts going like a compass in magnet factory.
But, in conclusion, it's fantastic. The game plays smoothly and looks fantastic. It sounds brilliant and the puzzles are fun and inventive to try. So, if when you're next in game check the PC games section for one of the bizarre-ist, enjoyable trips through the land of the dead.