Yes you read it correctly, the Trial and Execution of Guybrush Threepwood! Now if like me you are an avid follower of the Monkey Island games you will know that it is impossible for Guybrush to die. I mean come on, this Mighty Pirate has survived this far after defeating LeChuck in his various forms and having so many voodoo spells thrown at him he should by rights be a smoking crater with a faint greasy stain bubbling at the bottom of it, yet still he survives. He can even hold his breath for ten minutes for goodness sakes. So when I read this title my first thought was how is he going to get out of this predicament?
Well, I could tell you but I won’t, at least not till the next review. I actually found this to be one of the weakest of the series as it was based mostly in the courthouse with a lot of lengthy discussions about the various charges brought against our hero. The discussions while funny became a little grating to be honest and this felt like an episode which was written while the animators were off doing something else. I mean, the fact that the first episodes island was used may be part of the story but there was very little difference other than the courthouse being open and Stan the salesmen (another classic Monkey Island Character returning) has his own stall on the island and lastly you are somehow able to go into Club 41 without a blindfold with nothing saying why you are no longer a probationary member and why other pirates can get in without a membership card now.
The puzzles in this one consist of clever talking and collecting evidence which sort of throws a nod to TellTale’s version of the popular television show CSI. It’s good to have the pop culture references but sometimes you actually find yourself groaning out loud…..YeBay? Oh come on!
I sound a little bitter but honestly I’m not, I mean how can you stay angry at a game like this? After all the rather annoying court room battles and whatnot we get to the crux of the story, the execution……damn I will have to wait till the next review to tell you what happens….grrrr.
As I mentioned previously this episode is one of the weakest with far too easy puzzles and a predictable story which because of the title you will be able to work out before you even play (hint hint). All the other episodes have quite cryptic titles which give a nod to things you discover at least half an hour into them. In saying that though you would be pretty lost if you missed this game out, TellTale you clever devils you!
Fine and dandy as part of the series but if it was a standalone game I would be sorely disappointed.
VideogameUK verdict: 6/10
