Schafer Liveblogs Monkey Island 2
Tim Schafer may be long-gone to console-land these days, but that doesn't mean he's forgotten the PC adventure game roots that made him. As anyone who follows him on Twit-witter knows, he's been sharing his thoughts, memories and mild horror about Monkey Island 2: LeChuck's Revenge as he plays through the Special Edition. It's as close as you're likely to get to a director's commentary [edit - ah. There is one with the SE. Didn't play it yet, see. Oh well, this is still new stuff, and wonderfully pithy] for the revered pointer-clickerer. Some highlights of what's clearly the man having a great time with one of his old creations are below.
Finally playing Monkey 2 SE. I haven't played MI2 since it came out, almost 20 years ago. Hope I can remember some of these puzzles...
Haha. That opening campfire looks suspiciously familiar! I can't believe we just re-used the lookout fire from Monkey 1. Oh wait, yes I can.
Voodoo lady says, "True evil can never be destroyed," because that's what my dad said after we saw Star Wars the first time. I was like, "Did Darth die or not?" so he laid that on me. Then he turned off the headlights so we could pretend we were in an X-Wing.
Weird. That peg leg polishing scene didn't seem so dirty to me at the time.
The glow on hot objects would have offended us in 1991, but it looks cool and totally helped me find the knife in the kitchen.
Another good thing about the special edition: Visible Cheese Squigglies.
Dang. I really need a piece of string or rope, but there's none to be found! Except for in the background art of every shot!
We named Kate Capsize after Spielberg's wife. He called Ron [Gilbert] once for a hint, and right when he was about say what he thought of the name there was a loud static on the line so we never found out if he was offended or amused. He used to play each game and call for hints.
I can't believe we got away with a Fred Flintstone costume in the shop. Or at least his lower half. He's even tagged "Caveman Fred!"
I've never actually read all the cards in the Phatt city library. I'm doing it now because there has got to be an achievement for it. Right?
How can you say you only have one cannon, when I can clearly see three on the counter?
It's shameful how many times you hear the default examine response in this game. "Nice!" I am ashamed. We should really hack in new lines.
Guybrush in a dress looks a lot like Kurt Cobain in a dress for the In Bloom video.
Special Edition art is pretty, but Elaine is hotter in classic mode.
Wait, why did they put that Kyle Katarn line in there?
Rapp Scallion just coughed up the third map piece. Forgot about how he turns to ash, except for his thumbs-up fist. Oh you Steve Purcell!
He's still only mid-way through, so I advise some slightly stalkerish following to hear more.
I'd also love it if more devs took a crack at this sort of thing - just honest, playful commentary on games they're far enough away from to no longer be towing any marketing line, enjoying them for what they are and the memories they summon.
Which seems an appropriate moment to ask "what olden wonder-games do you think deserve director's commentaries, readers?"