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Grim Fandango Retrospective (no, not ours) 11 Feb, 2009 / Comments: 8

By The Tingler


There's a rather lovely retrospective review of Grim Fandango now up at GameStooge which manages to state all the reasons why I love the game... except the puzzles. Go read.

Source: Game Stooge

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8 Comments

  • Icebox on 12 Feb, 2009, 05:33…
    Grim Fandango. Best Game In The World. Not One Will ever surpass. I've heard tales of an RPG from out of the mystic east, weaving yarns of dismembered angels and ominous corporations. They've told me of time travel sagas to surpass H.G. Wells, they've spoken in hushed tones of a sentient computer and her horrible pathos. OF FAR OFF ALIEN NATIONS TEEMING WITH THE BEASTS WHICH RUSH! But, none will ever, ever surpass Grim Fandango. THIS game is MORE than a game. It is as close as any game has ever or will ever come to moving beyond Cinema. And Chris Remo had it right, "That's what makes it so incredible..."
  • Kroms on 12 Feb, 2009, 07:48…
    Well, not to burst your bubble or anything but I think overall Psychonauts is a better game than Fandango. I agree they're both incredible, and both completely different, but, yeah, overall Psychonauts DOES win.
  • Icebox on 13 Feb, 2009, 14:44…
    The Problem with psychonauts is that like much of Schafer's work, its concept far outweighed its actualization. So much went unused, the story is fairly contained, but hints at so much more. The remnant shreds of backstory are all we glimpse, but hardly feel definitive. It's perpetually in discord. Fandango, however managed to flawlessly define each character with the given dialogue and environs, everything is exquisitely pared to its essence. The Game was essentially 35% (Or More) cut, according to the initial design doc, yet still managed to perfectly nail atmospheric harmony. Psychonauts would likely need a sequel to be altogether realized, or some form of remake. Grim Fandango is already honed to the finest degree.
  • The Tingler on 12 Feb, 2009, 09:21…
    I disagree, Fandango's better. I prefer the characters, story and world. Still love Psychonauts though.
  • Thrik on 11 Feb, 2009, 12:31…
    "This is one game that desperately needs to be re-released, whether as a Windows Vista/7 native PC game or an Xbox Live Arcade title."
    I couldn't agree more. :~
  • Kroms on 11 Feb, 2009, 10:14…
    "The story itself is one of the best written for a video game."

    I'd say it's one of the best stories I've ever experienced, ever, game or otherwise. The writing - man am I about to be shot - surpasses Casablanca. It borrows heavily from it but man, does it ever surpass it. I think the only thing that Casablanca handled better was the romance, which in Grim Fandango wasn't too convincing, I think. I liked Casablanca's better, but that's pretty much the only thing it has going for it over Grim Fandango.

    That having been said, does anyone else find this --

    "It could technically be considered the best game ever since it still looks like it was made yesterday, thanks to its stylish look."

    -- a very odd thing to say?
  • Ascovel on 12 Feb, 2009, 02:05…
    I think you could say that about most of great, stylish adventure games of old. Ah, the hell with it - about most classic games period. ;)
  • Scummbuddy on 11 Feb, 2009, 13:17…
    Well, obviously looks are everything. Depth of story and game mean nothing as long as it looks photo-realistic...yeah.