I have a love-hate relationship with point & clicks. Specifically, I hate the puzzles of most. More often than not, they're a barrier between us and the game's more interesting interior rather than worthwhile, engaging gameplay. There may be something to be said regarding the catharsis of progression in the face of such contrived obstacles, but not enough to justify them; not in my eyes, at least. The only way these are made interesting is through the context and the small narratives being told through them; and, by these metrics, I believe the first two monkey islands work beautifully while the others I played, however, could be pretty hit-and-miss.

Grim Fandango is still worthwhile thanks to everything else surrounding its gameplay (amazing visuals, acting, soundtrack, writing, so on), and the same applies here, though to a far lesser extent. It showcases the same strengths, only lesser.

This following opinion may be an unpopular one but the short story far surpasses the game in quality. Its brevity keeps it urgent, while its vagueness leaves a very satisfying void in the chest--harrowing through and through; the game, however, with its added length and the optimism which accompanies it, albeit a welcomed addition on the surface, seems to play to its own detriment.

Of this, the demistification of AM may be its worst offense. For as iconic and memorable as his opening speech is, or even the voice acting as a whole (a benefit not shared by the remaining cast), we end up learning so much about this once vile villain, that I began to see him as kind of joke, at points. His pettiness travels all the way round from compelling into almost juveline.

Boring with a guide; frustrating without one. Its saving graces are its strong atmosphere, sound and visuals, and the added characterization, which, although not amazing, and sometimes even detracting from the bigger picture, manages to keep us invested for its entire duration.