Grim Fandango
 

The phrase "instant classic" has become quite disposable as of late. People often use it to describe Top 40 albums as if they were actually going to stick around for years to come. I can't help but feel a sense of disappointment that when I use this phrase to describe a truly classic concept it's somewhat cheapened by its overusage.

Such is the case with Grim Fandango.

For those who were never fortunate enough to have caught this game when it came out in 1998: This is the story of Manuel (Manny) Calavera, a travel agent who shuffles people from this mortal coil. Manny's life is sort of at a stagnant point right now; his travel clients don't fetch him much commission and he can't really seem to catch a break at any point. He is, in fact, dead in the water. Then one day a woman name Mercedes (Meche) pays him a visit at his office and you're off on your quest.

You play as Manny and take him through his quest to uncover the seedy goings-on of the Land of the Dead, a place which is anything but. The charmingly original story, the jazzy bebop and big band soundtrack, the Mexican folklore and art deco setting make what is quite possibly one of the most entertaining games ever conceived on the PC. Here's some screens for you to enjoy:

(Screens blatantly stolen from http://ninth-world.com)

http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e2...GFscreens1.jpg

http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e2...GFscreens2.jpg

http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e2...GFscreens3.jpg

http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e2...GFscreens4.jpg

http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e2...GFscreens5.jpg

http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e2...GFscreens6.jpg

http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e2...GFscreens7.jpg

Even 8 years after its original release the graphics and soundtrack haven't aged a bit. Sure it's not the best looking game on the planet, but its usage of graphics doesn't need to be. The film-noir feel of the story ensures that less is more comes across as all heart and little flash.

I have had this game since it was available back in 1998 and didn't get to play it much. Recently, with my brief return to jazz music I dug up the timelessly catchy soundtrack and dragged it into my iPod and I was instantly left with an unquenchable desire to play this game again.

So... Tell me... Is this one of the best games ever made or what? If you haven't played it and are interested in doing so, fret not; I have a solution. If anyone is interested in nabbing a copy of this game, I'll be more than happy to image my discs and upload them to someone's FTP or YSI links.

Anyway... Discuss!

One of the few games I've played through, and I absolutely loved it. I don't know where my copy went, so I would love a YSI link if you're willing to do it.

This is also the only video game soundtrack I own.

I've been looking to sell my copy of Grim Fandango for the longest time, but no one buys pc games anymore.

This was a clever and witty game. I admire Schafer's(?) wit and am glad he went on to produce Psychonauts sometime after this. There were plenty of jokes running about, despite the game becoming more and more serious towards the end.

Let me tell you though, this game was HARD. That or I just suck at this puzzla/adventure genre. I think I only solved a single puzzle by myself without having to resort to a faq. Other than that one time, I was looking back and forth, game <-> faq. The balloon part in the beginning and the safe unlocking part drove me crazy!

Hey, I was just talking about this game earlier. :)

2006.07.08. 15:46:01 Aardark You should download Grim Fandango.
2006.07.08. 15:46:47 Aardark It's probably the best adventure game.

I nominated the ending credits song for Best VGM Song contest this year, because it is awesome. As is the writing in this game. Tim Schafer is fucking awesome in general, I want him to come live with me.

The clown was always my favorite.

This is easily one of the best games of all time. I have played all the way through and loved every second of it.

Viva la Revolución!

This is so freakin' strange....I just replayed Grim Fandango and I'm just browsing the forums and see the thread. I love this game, though I always feel the Lucasarts games are very short after you play through them...even though it takes forever to figure out the puzzles at first. Anyway, I think this and Curse of Monkey Island were two of the funniest games I've ever played on PC.

The feel of the game is so different from what you would expect. It plays out like an old Film Noir, but it's also so wacky and out there. Plus the idea of the whole "travel package based on how you lived" was a pretty cool take on what might await someone when they die. Very innovative and just out right fun to play.

If only they would make a sequel and give Glottis his share...that big..stupid..lug.

Every LucasArts adventure game was classic IMO. I never did play the 3d Monkey Island but Sam & Max, Indiana Jones, DOTT, the dig, full throttle and this all rank near the top of my favorite games of all time. The Space Quest series was also great fun.

I'll always remember one scene in this game, because it was really sad:

"This deck of cards is a little worn around the edges. But then again, so am I. And I've got fewer suits."

"I just locked an open door. Strange, yet symbolically compelling."

Fabulously-written and cocieved game that absolutely no one bought. Pretty much the epitome of the adventure genre for me--devilishly hard puzzles, stellar voice acting, acerbic wit, and pathos.

They don't make 'em like this anymore.

One of my favorite adventure game quotes:

"This rough area tastes strangely like blood. Oh, that is blood! You shredded your tongue! Your mother should have warned you about licking strange areas."

From Space Quest 4, when you use Lick on the sewer wall.

My favorite Grim Fandango quote would have to be:

"Bound only by the paper-thin wrappings of mortality, a soul here lies, struggling to be free. And so it shall, thanks to a bowl of bad gazpacho, and a man named...Calavera."

This is now a ''post your favourite Grim Fandango quotes'' thread.

The secret to my happiness, Manuel, is that I have the heart of a twelve-year-old child. I keep it in a jar over here.

After Manny takes the metal detector

Manny: Goodbye Carla
Carla: DROP DEAD

I just love that part

Manny: Did you kill much when you were alive?
Mercedes Colomar: Very little.
Manny: Never killed anybody.
Mercedes Colomar: I have to confess... I never killed anybody.
Manny: Not even a teensy bit of killing?
Mercedes Colomar: MAYBE I JUST WASN'T TRYING HARD ENOUGH.

Finally one of my favorites.

Manny: I bet Hector pauses here every day, and thinks to himself, "Boy, I wish I could see past my gut and enjoy my expensive monogrammed floor."

Just have to mention this last one.

Carla: Well, maybe I would have smiled more Mom, if you hadn't drank so much!

I remember playing it when it came out and I lost the copy somehow. Never backtracked to it...

I think I'll download it. In fact, I'm doing that right now. Kudos, Enceph ;D I absolutely love LucasArts games. The Indiana Jones & Monkey Islands were awesome.

I wouldn't say that this is a LucasArts game, so much as it's a Tim Schafer game. I don't particularly like the Monkey Island games, however every game of Schafer that I've played has been simply fantastic. He's definitely among the Top 5 of contemporary game designers, in my opinion.

Shame that Psychonauts sold like four copies worldwide, I hope that doesn't stop him from making more games.

I've heard great praise for this game. Does anybody know of any brick and mortar place where I can pick this title up? I've checked the gamestops and EBs around my area a while back and no luck there :(

www.torrentspy.com

Started the download around 1pm. I'm almost done already, barely under two hours later. Follow the comments there for advice on how to stop/avoid crashing. These older games sometimes have some troubles running in XP.