Secret of monkey island: Special Edition (360/PC out now)

0ubliette

A glorious HD remake!


The Secret of Monkey Island: Special Edition is an enhanced remake of The Secret of Monkey Island for the PC and Xbox Live Arcade, developed internally by LucasArts and set to be released on the 15th of July 2009. The remake was announced on the first day of the 2009 Electronic Entertainment Expo along with the episodic Tales of Monkey Island.

The Special Edition features new character art and hand-painted environments in the style of the original, presented in 1080i widescreen (1920 x 1080 resolution). It also features a re-recorded and re-mastered score, and the principal voice artists from The Curse of Monkey Island read the previously unspoken lines, with Dominic Armato as Guybrush, Alexandra Boyd as Elaine, and Earl Boen as LeChuck.
The interface itself is streamlined, hiding the verb table and inventory that previously took up the lower part of the screen. These, including the nine-option verb table from the enhanced editions of the game, can be pulled up as a menu, while verbs can also be selected by cycling through pre-set commands. Another new feature is the three-level hint system, which (at the third level) presents a bright yellow arrow showing the player where to go.

The developers also added a close-up of Spiffy, the dog in the Scumm Bar, that was deleted from the original versions due to space considerations, despite appearing on the back of the box.

It is possible to switch between the 256 color enhanced and the new version of graphics

Anyone else picking this up? I literally have a boner here waiting to get out of work and play this

Vyse

0ubliette wrote: »

I literally have a boner here waiting to get out of work and play this

Too much information. Yeah will pick this up this evening for sure.

Burgo

Yes cant wait ! Any idea how much it will cost?

Unlocks on steam in 7 hours (approximately) but doesnt give a price.

0ubliette

Burgo wrote: »

Yes cant wait ! Any idea how much it will cost?

Unlocks on steam in 7 hours (approximately) but doesnt give a price.

800 points on xbox, not sure about steam. Think it might be a tenner or thereabouts.

Star Lord

0ubliette wrote: »

I literally have a boner here waiting to get out of work and play this

First you better stop waving it like a feather duster...

:pac:

0ubliette

DamoElDiablo wrote: »

First you better stop waving it like a feather duster...

:pac:

Soon youll be wearing my sword like a shish kebob :pac:

Star Lord

0ubliette wrote: »

Soon youll be wearing my sword like a shish kebob :pac:

Look behind you a three headed monkey!!!

*legs it*

Stephen

Damn it, I'm out of the country for a few months with only a work laptop that I can't put steam on. WANT THIS GAME

Branoic

Anyone know what time it's going to be on Steam tonight? Apparently its on XBox Live already, but damned if I'll relive my glorious point and click youth on a console pad!

Steam lists the price as €8.99 BTW.

Bubblefett

I'm waiting for it to finish downloading on my xbox

20% complete.....


I'M SO EXCITED!!!!


21%......

Star Lord

Stephen wrote: »

Damn it, I'm out of the country for a few months with only a work laptop that I can't put steam on. WANT THIS GAME

Direct2Drive to the rescue maybe...?
http://www.direct2drive.com/8241/product/Buy-The-Secret-of-Monkey-Island%28R%29:-Special-Edition-Download

ProjectColossus

Played about 20 mins there, loving it! The transition between old and new graphics with F10 is really, really slick.

Looking forward to finishing it this time, only got about 3/4 through previously

Dancing_Priest

First credit card arrived today (Swore I never would, but wasnt counting on this!)...... Check
Join Steam........Check
Begin downloading the first game I've bought in 3 years, .........In Progress

Zombrex

Not while on the graphical over haul, the original style hasn't really transferred over. Plus like a book it never sounds quite right when you have voice overs.

Been playing it mostly in the original form and I'm glad you can do that.

Stephen

I think the voices should be OK considering they're using the same guy that voiced Guybrush in MI3 to do his voice in this one. I might pick up a cheapo laptop to use for personal crap while I'm here for the next few months. Then put steam on for all that good stuff - I imagine this game has very modest system requirements? That said, I must get something capable of running the new episodes. Finished the first one on my good PC at home before I came over here and it was joyous.

Liathroidi Dana

Does anyone know how it controls on the 360, I'm very much looking forward to this.

Zeouterlimits

Liathroidi Dana wrote: »

Does anyone know how it controls on the 360, I'm very much looking forward to this.

Move a cursor with the stick and press either a or b for suggested options. If the option you want isn't either press left bumper or left trigger for the full range.
You can look at your inventory any time with right bumper or right trigger.
Press the back button to switch between new and old style at any time. Press X for hint option I think.

Loving it so far.
Eyes are so tired now though.

0ubliette

Wicknight wrote: »

Not while on the graphical over haul, the original style hasn't really transferred over. Plus like a book it never sounds quite right when you have voice overs.

Been playing it mostly in the original form and I'm glad you can do that.

You do realise you could have jsut played the original on scummvm at any point over the last 10 years tho, right? So playing the original version kinda negates buying the remake, does it no?

ironictoaster

Would anyone recommend this if they liked Grim Fandango?

0ubliette

creggy wrote: »

Would anyone recommend this if they liked Grim Fandango?

YES

Zombrex

0ubliette wrote: »

You do realise you could have jsut played the original on scummvm at any point over the last 10 years tho, right? So playing the original version kinda negates buying the remake, does it no?

Yeah but I wanted to see what the remake was like. Now I have gone to the trouble of buying it it would be a bit silly to ignore it and play the original through ScummVM. 6 of one and half a dozen of the other TBH

corcaigh07

ive never played the original, could I still enjoy this(xbox) or is it a bit outdated and you need your nostagic glasses on?

Star Lord

If you like point and click style adventure games at all, then a resounding YES!
Played it right through last night Might go for the speed run achievement soon too

Liathroidi Dana

Got it this morning, and played the first chapter thing, very good so far ( and alot funnier than most modern titles... You fight like a dairy farmer!).

Overheal

it was classic. never finished it. getting an original cast and crew to reanimate an awesome game? for $9.99? I'd be a fool not to buy this soon.

corcaigh07

hmm might give it a try, havent ever really played a point and click before, might be an education! is there many hard puzzles in this?

Overheal

sure theres loads. and am optional hint system if youre terribly behoodled. But the real genius is in the swordfighting, which is all about picking the most appropriate verbal insults.

Liathroidi Dana

Overheal wrote: »

sure theres loads. and am optional hint system if youre terribly behoodled. But the real genius is in the swordfighting, which is all about picking the most appropriate verbal insults.

Have to say I'd be lost without the hints. Some of the solutions are so unusual...

Insult Swordfighting is so far my favourite part!

Overheal

you know what really needs hints is Order of the Stick. I got stuck very *very* early in.

Zeouterlimits

Overheal wrote: »

you know what really needs hints is Order of the Stick. I got stuck very *very* early in.

Am I wrong in thinking that's also an awesome D&D comic?

Overheal

oh sorry youre right. im thinking of Kingdom of Loathing.

Star Lord

Overheal wrote: »

you know what really needs hints is Kingdom of Loathing. I got stuck very *very* early in.

*Sigh*

Ok, here you see the Kingdom of Loathing icon? Click it twice... No, click it twice quickly! There you go, first puzzle solved! :pac:

TinCool

Purchased this last night and installed it this morning before heading off to work. I'm looking forward to getting home this evening and reliving the good old days in HD

awhir

will give it a blast later

Overheal

DamoElDiablo wrote: »

*Sigh*

Ok, here you see the Kingdom of Loathing icon? Click it twice... No, click it twice quickly! There you go, first puzzle solved! :pac:

not that early. but early enough. i digress.

Coyote

Have to say i really don't like it. having to hit ctrl or alt to get options sucks.
you would think that with HD it would not have been any trouble to have them
at the bottom like it used to be. or at least give people the option.

the voices are ok but the updated graphics are not nice at all, in the old game the
movement of people was not great but now it looks silly like they are cutouts
on stick being moved about.

was so looking forward to it, I still play all the old scum games about once a
year on pc and have them on my phone, I even like the new Screaming Narwhal
monkey island more than this.

I guess if you never played it before at it's core it's still the same great game
just think they could have done such a better job

Coyote

Liathroidi Dana

Coyote wrote: »

I guess if you never played it before at it's core it's still the same great game
just think they could have done such a better job

Coyote

First time playing it on xbox, and finished just 20 mins ago, and I have to say it was brill!

The humour was great, chuckled a bunch of times. My only fault with it is the length. As it took me almost 3 hours to beat the first chapter, but for the other 3 maybe 1 and a half. Like altogether it was grand, just didn't think it was paced out good.

Still gotta play through for the cheese-mints!

ElBarco

My xbox red ringed yesterday so I decided to fire up steam to pick this up.

Really enjoying it - bringing back some good memories. It's amazing how the solutions float back as you're playing.

TinCool

Coyote wrote: »

Have to say i really don't like it. having to hit ctrl or alt to get options sucks.
you would think that with HD it would not have been any trouble to have them
at the bottom like it used to be. or at least give people the option.

....

I guess if you never played it before at it's core it's still the same great game
just think they could have done such a better job

Coyote

To be fair I am really enjoying it. I do agree having to hit i to bring up your inventory is a pain but there are keyboard short cuts for the various actions so you soon get used to it.

I've just finished the first part so I'm now on the boat. Fun stuff.

I'll give the monkey island tales a bash once I finish this.

Stephen

They've just released an iPod Touch/iPhone version on the App Store, €5.99.

Chumpski

Stephen wrote: »

They've just released an iPod Touch/iPhone version on the App Store, €5.99.

Did you play the ipod touch version yet?

Never played any monkey island games and i love adventure games. If its a rubbish port i might go for the PC version instead?

TinCool

I've read the few reviews of it up on the App Store and a lot of people are moaning about the controls having to drag and double tap to move and stuff. Just buy it for PC, least I did

Stephen

Chumpski wrote: »

Did you play the ipod touch version yet?

Never played any monkey island games and i love adventure games. If its a rubbish port i might go for the PC version instead?

Nah, bought the PC version. Which is lovely.

Kevster

0ubliette wrote:

Anyone else picking this up? I literally have a boner here waiting to get out of work and play this

Dude... ...Dude... ...what the hell!? You just gave me my first genuine laugh of the day. We all know that Escape from Monkey Island (Le Chuck's Revenge) was the best!

Star Lord

Kevster wrote: »

Dude... ...Dude... ...what the hell!? You just gave me my first genuine laugh of the day. We all know that Escape from Monkey Island (Le Chuck's Revenge) was the best!

Ya seem a little confused...

Escape From Monkey Island = Monkey Island 4, the 3D one.

Le Chucks Revenge = Monkey Island 2: Le Chucks Revenge

Blisterman

Downloading it on my iPhone. Can't wait. Although I played it so many times in the 90's I can pretty much remember the solution to every puzzle.

Volvagia

Got it last week. I'm a very happy wannabe pirate.

They've really done a good job on this.

Anyone playing the Tales of Monkey Island games? 2nd one came out the other day.

ghouldaddy07

As much as I hate games on the Itouch, they handled this one very well control wise, Why did lucasarts have to stop making funny adventure games?

Stephen

Because they got fat and lazy milking star wars for all it was worth.

Is this iPod touch version good then? I'm considering buying a voucher later so I can download it from the iTunes stores. Checked out some videos on youtube and the quality looks pretty good.

ghouldaddy07

Deleted User wrote: »

Is this iPod touch version good then? I'm considering buying a voucher later so I can download it from the iTunes stores. Checked out some videos on youtube and the quality looks pretty good.

Aye tis grand so far, only one part gave me difficulty and that was

scaring away that poxy bird at the back of the bar is fairly difficult on a touch screen.