I finished this game last night and I have to say it was quite charming. I really liked the dialogue and I found one thing in particular that I couldn't stop laughing at.
The skeleton dancing scene. THE HEAD BONE'S CONNECTED TO THE HIP BONE.
One thing that really irked me was the final boss battle.
LeChuck always seemed to show up when I wasn't paying attention, in particular, when I was trying to get his beard caught up in the elevator or when I tried to throw the hanky at him. It was really annoying.
just beat it in under 6 hours.. I remember putting in about 40 hours on the Amiga.. gamefaqs has ruined me :lol
The best part is looking at the bonus art thats been unlocked, I had no idea that the art was drawn by Steve Purcell and then scanned and converted to "pixel art" .. the original 1992 drawings are absolutely jaw dropping and gorgeous even to this day.. the negative side of course is seeing the original pixelated characters and Gary Choo's god awful attempts to "interpret" them, managing to lose all character they ever had with his overly complex and sloppy drawings. Such a shame.
Just finished the game, woots! Twice even! First playthrough was 5 hours (I remembered almost everything, so there were only a few puzzles I had to re-learn how to do), and then I rushed through it a second time in order to hear all of the commentary and to test about some alternate ways to do puzzles (that playthrough took about 2 or 3 hours I think).
Great game and I loved just about everything about it. I think this is definitely Dominic's best work in the Monkey Island series, he did all the lines perfectly. Graphics remained excellent from start to finish and the music is extremely good at places. Music for Phatt's mansion and the small island where you do the grog puzzle is probably my favourites.
By the way, I extracted all of the music from the data files and those files explains a lot how they implemented imuse. For Woodtick, it is the most complex system they have in the game. For each room in Woodtick, there's about 10 different unique transitions which can be played as you exit that room. It's just too bad that most of those unique transitions are so short and honestly doesn't sound that good. It's too bad the actual composers just didn't do any proper work for it, since it looks like they implemented a good system for it.
Unfortunately, not many other areas in the game has that many transitions (I can't remember if the original had either). But several areas have identical themes with variations which the game will switch between (like the crypt in the cemetery). It is too bad the game instantly switches between these (Monkey 3-style) instead of crossfading. I'm curious how the original switches between those.
I noticed the music files for the Voodoo lady is just craziness. I have zero idea how that's handled, but there's definitely some fancy dynamic stuff there.
While playing through the game, I noticed there's a few lines of dialogue and some music which is different from the original:
-The town in Booty Island plays different music than the original. It has a variation of the mardi gras music (in the original it plays generic Booty Island ambience, which the special edition uses different places). The classic edition simply uses the normal mardi gras music here, which is very out of place.
-Guybrush references Young Indy Chronicles when examining Indy's Whip in the shop. I'm pretty sure Indy Chronicles wasn't made before 92.
-Guybrush comments how Kyle Katarn looks nice in a dress when looking in the mirror inside Elaine's room.
Here's a few jokes which can be a bit hard to miss. I'll just spoiler tag them in case people don't wanna know the details:
-Kate Capsize:
Try to "pick up" Kate several times to hear some funny dialogue
-Stan:
Lock him up in the coffin the very first time you enter his shop, and the way he'll insist in giving you the handkerchief is rather amusing.
-Wally:
After picking up the dog at Elaine's mansion, "look at" the dog while inside Wally's boat.
I also wrote down the location for every commentary trigger in the special edition. Can anyone let me know if I missed any locations? I'll paste them all here spoiler tagged:
Commentary with "-" are repeatable. Commentary with "*" can only be activated once (usually during a cutscene).
Part 1
-While talking with the pirates at the campfire
*Just before walking to bridge and meeting Largo
-Inside Woodtick (they talk about iMUSE)
*While Largo takes money from the bar owner
-Inside Wally's boat
*At the graveyard, after the cutscene with getting the bone
-Inside Dread's boat
Part 2
*During the cutscene which introduces LeChuck
-On Dread's boat (at the start of Part 2)
(Phatt Island)
*During talking with Phatt
*Inside the prison
-After opening the cell door in the prison
-On the big map of Phatt Island, choosing where to go
-Inside the library
-In the alley where you get secret codes for the casino
-At the docks with the fisherman
-At the waterfall
(Scabb Island)
-In Woodtick during part 2
(Booty Island)
-Inside Stan's used coffins
-After trapping Stan inside the coffin
-After winning the spitting contest
*Finding the Monkey Head shipwreck
*While chef is chasing you around the Governor's mansion (if you move off the screen, this commentary stops)
-Inside Elaine's room
Part 3
-Puzzle where you're hanging over the acid
Part 4
-At the beach
*Calling the LucasArts helpdesk after getting lost in jungle
-In the underground tunnels
*At the end of the game, during the final cutscene with Guybrush's parents
One more thing to mention about the music. In the PC version, the scene with Elaine where you can say nice or rude things has proper imuse implementation (it'll randomly go offkey if you say rude things). In the 360 version... it's entirely silent.
Gah, looks like I'm the only one posting in the thread! I was just checking LucasForums and someone figured out you can force the game to run in easy mode, and it actually fully works. All the unique dialogue in easy mode is voice acted, and the new graphics (a new shirt, not sure if there's other unique items too) is in highres. I guess they were planning to support easy mode but removed it for some reason.
If anyone wants to play easy mode, here's instructions for activating it:
- http://www.lucasforums.com/showpost.php?p=2737694&postcount=22 - Use this utility for extracting monkey2.000 and monkey2.001 from the monkey2.pak file
- http://www.lucasforums.com/showpost.php?p=2738359&postcount=61 - Use this for patching monkey2.000 and monkey2.001 which will force the game to start in Easy mode
-Copy the new monkey2.000 and monkey2.001 into steamapps\common\monkey2\classic\en
-Start a new game in Monkey Island 2 and it should be in easy mode. To confirm this, go to the bar and ask for a job. He should give it to you immediately.
Gah, looks like I'm the only one posting in the thread! I was just checking LucasForums and someone figured out you can force the game to run in easy mode, and it actually fully works. All the unique dialogue in easy mode is voice acted, and the new graphics (a new shirt, not sure if there's other unique items too) is in highres. I guess they were planning to support easy mode but removed it for some reason.
If anyone wants to play easy mode, here's instructions for activating it:
-http://www.lucasforums.com/showpost.php?p=2737694&postcount=22 - Use this utility for extracting monkey2.000 and monkey2.001 from the monkey2.pak file
-http://www.lucasforums.com/showpost.php?p=2738359&postcount=61 - Use this for patching monkey2.000 and monkey2.001 which will force the game to start in Easy mode
-Copy the new monkey2.000 and monkey2.001 into steamapps\common\monkey2\classic\en
-Start a new game in Monkey Island 2 and it should be in easy mode. To confirm this, go to the bar and ask for a job. He should give it to you immediately.
Gah, looks like I'm the only one posting in the thread! I was just checking LucasForums and someone figured out you can force the game to run in easy mode, and it actually fully works. All the unique dialogue in easy mode is voice acted, and the new graphics (a new shirt, not sure if there's other unique items too) is in highres.
Just completed the game in easy mode. Besides a few very minor bugs, it works perfectly. It's hilarious going through part 2 in easy mode. Just about every puzzle is gone. Getting the map piece in the shop on booty island? 100 pieces of eight! Getting the map piece in the cottage on phatt island? Go into the cottage and pick it up!
By the way, I did a little bit of work trying to create a medley based on the themes in Woodtick and the transitions which is in the game: http://www.tzarsectus.com/monkey2/woodtick.ogg - This is the first time I've done something like that, so it may sound a bit amateurish. But well, what do people think? Should I try to do the same with rest of the soundtrack?
It's probably because most people have played and discussed it to death years ago, and the newbies are just gamefaqsing there way through it instead. The only thing left to talk about is how much they screwed up the art and the lack of iMuse. :lol
Easy mode sounds terrible though. :lol I've never played it but maybe i should just for the laughs.
*boots up SCUMMVM*
EDIT: I'm considering a purchase though, just for Dominic's VO.
There is iMuse (or at least a variation of it) - 1UP is wrong, unless they only tried the X360 version, which seems to be lacking it. The PC version has it, and I hear the PS3 version has it as well (I bought it for both of those, but haven't played the PS3 version yet).
It's probably because most people have played and discussed it to death years ago, and the newbies are just gamefaqsing there way through it instead. The only thing left to talk about is how much they screwed up the art and the lack of iMuse. :lol
Easy mode sounds terrible though. :lol I've never played it but maybe i should just for the laughs.
*boots up SCUMMVM*
EDIT: I'm considering a purchase though, just for Dominic's VO.
If you haven't bought it already, you should. Dominic has done an insanely good job with the voice acting throughout the entire game. I think he made the majority of jokes even funnier.
By the way, I did a little bit of work trying to create a medley based on the themes in Woodtick and the transitions which is in the game: http://www.tzarsectus.com/monkey2/woodtick.ogg - This is the first time I've done something like that, so it may sound a bit amateurish. But well, what do people think? Should I try to do the same with rest of the soundtrack?
Hi, I've found the cause of the lacking iMuse effects on the Xbox 360 version. The file "MI2_MUSIC_IMPLEMENTATION.csv" is missing from the "x360\Audio" directory. I copied the file over from the PC version of the game and now the transitions work beautifully on Xbox 360. You guys could patch this in about 5 seconds. Anyone with a Dev Kit console or hacked box can also fix it up DIY style if they have the know how.
Game is fantastic. New visuals are really lovely and it's such a charming and fun adventure. A bit into chapter 2, and it has made me genuinely laugh more than a few times already. I'm avoiding all kinds of ingame or gamefaqs help.
Playing on the 360, wish I didn't read abut the iMuse thing in here, I wouldn't have noticed it because this sounds like every other game , but now that I know how it was supposed to be, it bothers me a bit. But no biggie.
Big WTF at the sometimes unreadable text. I often have to switch classic mode to read the dialogue options when the special edition text is white on a bright background.
ok how do I get on Pete's boat (the front of the boat) if you miss it the first time and forget to pick up the chow? I need that item now and it's frustrating because I forgot to pick it up the first time. Thank you so much.
ok how do I get on Pete's boat (the front of the boat) if you miss it the first time and forget to pick up the chow? I need that item now and it's frustrating because I forgot to pick it up the first time. Thank you so much.
Game is fantastic. New visuals are really lovely and it's such a charming and fun adventure. A bit into chapter 2, and it has made me genuinely laugh more than a few times already. I'm avoiding all kinds of ingame or gamefaqs help.
Playing on the 360, wish I didn't read abut the iMuse thing in here, I wouldn't have noticed it because this sounds like every other game , but now that I know how it was supposed to be, it bothers me a bit. But no biggie.
Big WTF at the sometimes unreadable text. I often have to switch classic mode to read the dialogue options when the special edition text is white on a bright background.
Seriously? Sorry if I don't get names a 100% right.
I've come to maybe a bug and I can't go forward without it taken care of. Can anyone help?
I'm at Stan's shop and it is not letting me nail him in the coffin. I have ever item I need so it's not that but I ask him to show me it but in between him jumping in the coffin I am offered to close it on him, I do, but after that I can't press R2 (or anything, btw) and then he jumps out. What am I doing wrong. I tried selecting the nails from my inventory before I went into the coffin shop but no dice. What am I doing wrong?
Sorry, I spoiled all of that question for the sensitive. PS3 version btw.
Never thought i'd replay Monkey Island 2 on a big tv so many years after playing the original on my Amiga. I still love it as much as i did back then. The dialogue and characters, the music, the graphics,... it really is a timeless classic.
The new graphics are nice but what amazes me the most is how good the original graphics still look. I'm constantly switching between classic and new and find myself playing in classic more and more.
One thing Lucasarts should pay attention to if they decide to do another conversion: the text is far easier to read in classic mode than in the new hd mode (the text is too small) and the dialogue choices are often hard to read.
Other than that, bring on more conversions. I'd love to see those indiana jones games converted.
Seriously? Sorry if I don't get names a 100% right.
I've come to maybe a bug and I can't go forward without it taken care of. Can anyone help?
I'm at Stan's shop and it is not letting me nail him in the coffin. I have ever item I need so it's not that but I ask him to show me it but in between him jumping in the coffin I am offered to close it on him, I do, but after that I can't press R2 (or anything, btw) and then he jumps out. What am I doing wrong. I tried selecting the nails from my inventory before I went into the coffin shop but no dice. What am I doing wrong?
Sorry, I spoiled all of that question for the sensitive. PS3 version btw.
just finished it. as others have already pointed out, the new art is much better than the mi1 se, but they really screwed a few characters and backgrounds (voodoo lady comes to mind).
played most of it in classic mode so can't say much else about the new music and art. the music in classic mode was "okay" i guess.
i was quite pissed at them for cutting the intro and the ending stuff, but having monkey island 2 with voices really puts a smile in my face
both mi1/2 SE are awesome games, i just wish they dedicated some more effort to it. the point-n-click genre was part of my childhood, and i guess i had a very particular idea of how they should come back "alive" :lol
still, if anyone's on the fence about playing this, jump in.
one of the best games ever made, you don't wanna miss it
They didn't screw up the art, though, with a couple exceptions. That's the impressive thing - they've been extremely faithful while keeping it fresh. The artists practically kept the stuff 1:1 in terms of architecture and object/character placement, taking into account resolution and size.
Nope. Always wanted to play these games before, but never got around to it, so I'm now playing through the series for the first time with the remakes, and loving it.
Can anyone else run this over HDMI and confirm whether the audio get all crackled for them? Never happened before with any other game to me including the first MI:SE.
You need to play it for a few minutes, just let the intro run. The crackling is noticeable over the voices and seems to come and go, I can get a minute of normal audio, then 30 seconds of crackling.
Googling seemed to bring up one other person with this issue, but no solutions have been suggested yet. It only happens over HDMI, not when I play the game normally, and only with this game, not the first MI Special Edition.
I hope this does well enough for them to convert Curse. Assuming that all the art was hand drawn it shouldn't take much effort to re-scan it in HD and plonk it on the Xbox. Best looking 2D game art ever.
Finished the game for the thousandth time, was fun doing it in HD I really would love to see them make a new Monkey Island adventure in this format now!
That game is more complex than most Lucasarts adventures, with your choice of characters dictating how the story will go. The characters and atmosphere are great as well.
That game is more complex than most Lucasarts adventures, with your choice of characters dictating how the story will go. The characters and atmosphere are great as well.
They're pretty different games, though, atmosphere-wise. Maniac Mansion was a funny game but Day of the Tentacle has much more in the way of humor, mostly due to Schafer's involvement.
Maniac Mansion had some darker elements relative to Tentacle. Seeing both again would be great, in either order.
