Grim Fandango is a brilliant, well paced game, with a snazzy soundtrack, witty exchanges and imaginative characters that bring the art-deco world alive.
You play as Manny Calavera, an effective travel agent, who's trying to work off his debt so he can leave El Marrow and travel to the Ninth Underworld. However, on the way, he discovers a trail of deceit, conspiracy and betrayal.
The game takes place over four years, and each year you go to a different place, but ultimately, my favourite is Rubacava. The characters in this city are all full of life, and the events that specifically happen whilst you're playing are full of tension. Check out Olivia's poetry in the Blue Casket- it sucks, but is a good laugh nonetheless.
Background detail and in-jokes are scattered inside en mass, just adding to the richness of the world (based on Mexican mythology), and with the excellent graphics (even in 1998), the designs are so individual you won't find much to top them.
My only regret is that, adventure games not selling awfully well, LucasArts seem to have abandoned games of this type to continue with Star Wars take-offs, and the creator, Tim Schaffer, has now got his own company: Double Fine, I believe. If you liked Grim Fandango, I'd suggest Psychonauts (a PS2 game), which is just as good.
You play as Manny Calavera, an effective travel agent, who's trying to work off his debt so he can leave El Marrow and travel to the Ninth Underworld. However, on the way, he discovers a trail of deceit, conspiracy and betrayal.
The game takes place over four years, and each year you go to a different place, but ultimately, my favourite is Rubacava. The characters in this city are all full of life, and the events that specifically happen whilst you're playing are full of tension. Check out Olivia's poetry in the Blue Casket- it sucks, but is a good laugh nonetheless.
Background detail and in-jokes are scattered inside en mass, just adding to the richness of the world (based on Mexican mythology), and with the excellent graphics (even in 1998), the designs are so individual you won't find much to top them.
My only regret is that, adventure games not selling awfully well, LucasArts seem to have abandoned games of this type to continue with Star Wars take-offs, and the creator, Tim Schaffer, has now got his own company: Double Fine, I believe. If you liked Grim Fandango, I'd suggest Psychonauts (a PS2 game), which is just as good.