Review: Grim Fandango – Remastered

Nearly 20 years have passed since we first enjoyed LucasArts’ distinctive brand of humor in one of their final point-and-click adventures. Now, it returns in a remastered HD version. The question is: does it stand the test of time?

Manuel “Manny” Calavera works as a travel agent, albeit a frustrated one. He attempts to sell costly travel packages to unsuspecting clients, who are often persuaded to overpay for ticket upgrades promising “something better.” However, he consistently finds himself outdone by his colleague Domino, who secures all the lucrative customers. Thus far, the premise is fairly conventional. The unique aspect lies in the fact that Manny is deceased – as are all his clients. Grim Fandango unfolds in the eighth circle of the afterlife, populated by skeletal figures. Beyond this, it embodies classic American comedy within a Dias De Los Muertos-inspired Mexican setting. The renowned Tim Schaefer, responsible for some of the most memorable LucasArts titles, is the creative force behind this adventure. While it may not be the absolute best overall, it undeniably features some of the most compellingly written and performed characters in the studio’s history.

As Grim Fandango approaches its quarter-century mark (or, more precisely, 17 years), its age becomes apparent. This is particularly noticeable in the interface and the demanding puzzle design. Games of that era often presented a greater challenge. In contrast to modern games that frequently provide ample hints, Grim Fandango adopts a deliberately stoic and unforgiving approach. While the player cannot die, aimless exploration and interaction are possible. The game offers no readily available clues or assistance. If the solution eludes you, progress is effectively halted. While often a degree of lateral thinking is sufficient, certain puzzles require interaction with very specific, sometimes unintuitive, points on the screen, even when the underlying logic is understood. This highlights one of the game’s core weaknesses: despite well-implemented PS4 controls – Grim Fandango was an early adopter of direct point-and-click, abandoning the LucasArts verb interface – it is hampered by a problematic camera system. The camera often shifts abruptly, causing disorientation and reversing the player’s intended direction, resulting in frustrating, unintended movements.

Grim Fandango employs a highly stylized visual aesthetic, mitigating the effects of age. Unlike early, demanding FPS titles, the game features pre-rendered, static backgrounds. The HD remaster enhances the experience with improved resolution, shadow and lighting effects, and frame rates. The original game’s 4:3 aspect ratio has been preserved in widescreen HD, with an optional decorative frame reminiscent of Disney’s Blu-ray releases of classic films. Players can revert to the original graphics, or select a stretched 16:9 mode, which is strongly discouraged due to the image distortion. The audio quality is excellent, featuring a vibrant jazz soundtrack and superb voice acting across all characters.

The game is available digitally via Steam for PC and Mac, and via PSN on PS4, which includes the PS Vita version for a price of SEK 149. While slightly expensive for a nostalgia purchase, the price is reasonable considering the enhanced graphics and overall quality. Note that the remaster lacks an auto-save feature, so manual saves are essential. The game supports cross-play and cross-save functionality via the cloud, allowing players to continue their adventure on either PS Vita or PS4. However, the PS Vita version is not recommended, as the 4:3 aspect ratio results in a very small image, particularly in scenes with distant perspectives. The PS Vita version also suffers from performance issues, with slower speeds and reduced frame rates compared to the PS4 version.

For members of our editorial team aged 30 and over, revisiting Grim Fandango was a thoroughly enjoyable experience. It stands as a classic adventure game, well worth playing and replaying. Younger players without a pre-existing nostalgic connection may find the game’s challenging and unforgiving nature off-putting. However, it is worthwhile to consult a walkthrough to experience the memorable characters and humorous narrative.

We eagerly anticipate a remaster of the Monkey Island games (specifically, the first two)….