The Book of Adventure - Chronicles from a Game Wiz

Soon on Game Wiz Chronicles

2009-10-07T23:09:00.004+01:00

I am currently playing a few games to bring you their walkthroughs, as their sequels await release. However, there will be a full article on Ankh, which has come out on Europe as a PC point-and-click adventure, but as to which I, at the moment, could not confirm it was already released on the US or if not, when it will be. All I know is we'll see the likes of Ankh again soon on DS. This seems to be an adventure much in the likes of Broken Sword and Monkey Island as regards to graphics. The rest I'll know after I've played it a while and since its sitting on my desk, you won't have to wait long. I can tell this much it’s an adventure set in Egypt which sounds awesome just to think about the possibilities of story and graphic exploitation.

The story line is quite amusing:
"Egypt. A long time ago…After a forbidden party in a pyramid, young Assil gets struck by a horrible death curse."

Though this is the first game of the series there are Ankh: Heart of Osiris and Battle of the Gods, both already released in Europe. But I’ll come back tonight or early in the morning to let you know some more about this game series.

See you soon.

SCUMMVM CONFIGURATION TUTORIAL

2009-10-06T01:50:00.002+01:00

I am going to perform a small walkthrough for SCUMMVM’s configuration, as promised in the ScummVM Tutorial post.

When we load a game, we are confronted with a small window with raw and serrated graphics, sometimes without any sound and quite poorly presented.

Now that we’ve got our game, select "options".

In the new menu, we can configure several aspects:

GRAPHICS

Allows us to change the renderization mode of the game. There are used filters to improve the game’s look. The next image you can compare the different resolutions as you change filter.

"Render Mode"
Indicated for low resolution screens, which I honestly doubt that there are still around, let alone being used.

"Aspect Ratio Correction"
Nowadays, we have 4:3 and 16:9 wide screens, the later are the more recent. If we load a game without this option selected, the image gets stretched, so always keep this option chosen, because this games are written for 4:3 screens.

"Full Screen mode"
To change to Full Screen, but you can also from within the game press ALT+ENTER.

Actually, during game play, you can use ALT+F5 for the menu to save the game, load sound, alter it or even change game speed.

"Áudio"
This option is quite simple, just leave Music Driver and Output rate as Default, for ScummVM will adopt your Windows settings.

Below in Text and Speech, select whether you want the game with subtitles, spoken or with both (provided the game you’re playing has this option).

"Midi"
MIDI MUSIC don’t select, because you’ll have full PC sound.

"Path"
Here you’ll choose the paths:

Save Path: Where game progress will be saved BY ScummVM and NOT within the game itself.

Extra Path:Path where the extra archives of the games will be kept, such as translations, …

Theme Path: Path for ScummVM’s themes.

"Misc"
ScummVM’s use layout choice in button THEME.
The Autosave option, which allows, in game Play, that it automatically saves the game progress every five minutes.

This ends the configuration process, now press OK and PLAY!

Max Payne 3 - The Return

2009-10-06T01:13:00.000+01:00

When Remedy launched Max Payne back in 2001, amazed the world with a game of solid and amusing shooting, unbelievable graphics, bullet-time effects and a melancholic atmosphere unseen in the genre. The story of the cop whom has lost everything and goes out on a vengeance quest might not have been one of the most original, but the way the narrative unfolded was great enough to reach a mark in gaming history. Two years after, the sequel improved the basis of the original game, keeping all characteristics of the series untouched.
In 2010 the new Max Payne will be released by Rockstar, from GTA and Bully, who shocked the world by trading the shadowy New York for the mazes of Brazil’s São Paulo slums.

Max Payne 3 gives us a very different man from that beautiful character we used to know. The new Max is older e tougher, marked with the scars of his downfall, even though he still is a man of violent action. The world around him moved on and so did he.

In case you’re wondering just how much has Max Payne changed, all you have to do is to check out the pictures from the game in this article. The bald and bearded man in the cover has little resemblance with the lead of the previous two games of the franchise. He aged so much after the events taken place in Max Payne 2, that if it weren’t for this game’s title, there was no way we would recognize him.

The third chapter of this saga takes the hero where he’s never been, while perfections the action that created its great reputation to begin with.

Regardless of the set, the essence of the Max Payne’s experience are the fights, filled with exciting shootings in slow motion. In fact, Bullet-time mechanics is so well done and successful in the first games that were adopted by several other games of the genre in the past eight years.

In several ways, Max Payne 3 is the type of game quite near to Rockstar own style; matching ultra-violent action with dark and real themes in dramatic and original ways.

Game Producer: Rockstar
Distributor: Rockstar/Take-Two
Genre: Ação / TPS
Released date: Early 2010
Plataforms: Xbox 360 e Playstation 3

CSI: DEADLY INTENT PREVIEW

2009-10-04T18:16:00.022+01:00

Ubisoft is launching another CSI game based on the CBS’ Las Vegas series. Named CSI: DEADLY INTENT, it will allow to explore five different crime scenes, written by the TV show writers. The games immersive atmosphere is quite an experience and possible thanks to a new rendering software engine and the lip sync with the voices of the actors from the show.

As a CSI detective you’ll have to discover hidden evidence and items relevant to the case at hand, dust for fingerprints, perform lab analysis; such as microscopic and DNA analysis. In order to substantiate your conclusions and better perform interviews and interrogations on suspects. Thus, solving the five murder cases and bringing the assassins to justice.

CSI: Deadly Intent will be available on 20th October for Pc, Xbox360, Wii and DS.

Screenshots & Wallpaper

SCUMMVM PC TUTORIAL

2009-10-04T04:39:00.007+01:00

Today I am going demonstrate How To Use ScummVM for Windows. I know lots of you are having trouble getting to work. The version I am going to post is exclusively for Windows ver. X86. For those of you who don’t understand what this means, it is compatible with Windows 98, Windows NT, Millennium, and XP 32 bits, Home Edition or Pro.

This post will consist in a step-by-step tutorial, hence being numbered. You should watch the numbers carefully as it will be easier to understand.

1º In ScummVM site’s section of downloads, Select Windows zipfile, as shown:

2º Next, Save the File. Save it in Desktop to facilitate.

3º After the File Transference is over, select "Open". In case the download Windows closes, due to “close this dialogue box when file transfer is over” being selected, minimize all open Windows, Click the file downloaded and select “open”.

4º Since I have Winrar in my pc, which is a file compression/decompression software, our file will be view in it. Select “Extract to”.
If you have another software, like WinZip, the procedure is the same.

5º Another dialogue box appears asking to specify the path of file extraction; Select desktop: in folder view add "\scummvm", as shown:

6º Now that our program is ready to run, let’s download a game using the same procedures. For that, return to ScummVM page and choose a game:

7º Save it in the Desktop.

8º Open it.

9º Extract to Desktop.

10º Go to Desktop, select ScummVM folder and run program ScummVM.exe.

11º ScummVM interface appears and select “add game”.

12º Now there’s a windows asking to locate the game, so choose "go up".

13º Now there’s the list of folders in my desktop, one being the game folder. Select folder bass-cd-1.2 and click "choose".
A new window pops up and click OK.

14º Our game is now loaded.To play press start.

In the next post, I am going to show you How to Configure ScummVM, Like running it in Full Screen mode, configure Sound and Graphics, etc.
I hope you guys enjoy this. If you have any suggestions or questions, don’t hesitate to post.

RUNAWAY 3: A TWIST OF FATE PREVIEW

2009-10-04T02:07:00.011+01:00

Runaway 3 will be released simultaneously on PC, Wii, and DS and rumors on the net are it will be finally available at this year’s final quarter. It will present itself as a new adventure rather than the continuation of the previous game. Although it will have something in it for the series gamer it’ll be easily followed by those freshly arrived to Runaway’s story. The length of the game shouldn’t differ much from Runaway 2: The Dream of the Turtle, meaning 10 to 15 hours of game play, and will be divided into six chapters.

Unveiling the twist of fate

The game begins at Brian Basco’s funeral; Gina Timmins and friends are bidding their farewells to the adventurer. While it hasn’t been disclosed yet if Brian is really dead, it’s certain that the game play will be set on flashbacks, with you being able to play as Gina and actually solve puzzles with her, since she was upgraded as a character to a more active role. In these flashbacks you’ll be retracing Brian’s moves that culminated with the cemetery scene you watched on the intro.

So on chapter One, Brian’s is in an Asylum amidst other patients. There’s the Taxi Driver, who is having some trouble with his taxi – it’s actually ping-pong table; the disagreeing hitchhiker; and Brian’s roommate: a Mime! Solving the residents’ problems and planning an escape route are the first puzzles to be solved.

Some new features introduced are a hotspot key that shows all exits and items on a screen, a built-in hint system, but not too obvious, a diary of your actions and a goals list. As for the graphics you can check them out for yourself on the trailer of our homepage.

Curiosities:
Runaway: A Road Adventure was originally inspired by the Monkey Island series, the Day of the Tentacle, the Space Quest series, various adventure games from old Sierra’s catalog and particularly those by LucasArts.

Unlike the rumors that Runaway 2: The Dream Of The Turtle was a deliberate sequel, the idea of its making arose several months after releasing the original game.

Screenshots

Upcoming Games, Features & News

2009-10-02T22:35:00.009+01:00

Nancy Drew: Warnings at Waverly Academy – release on 13th October 2009

CSI: Deadly Intent – release on 20th October 2009

Runaway: A Twist of Fate – Final Quarter of 2009

Lost Horizon: arrives in 2010

Recently released:

Tales of Monkey Island – Last released Episode No. 3 – 29th September 2009

Still Life 2 – Released 11th August 2009

Secret of MI SE Illustrated Walkthru COMPLETE

2009-10-02T22:13:00.024+01:00

I tried to create a simple walkthrough you can quickly check out in the middle of a game, if you get stuck, without having to read much. First you should take time to check out the controls. There’s a HINT system built in and a VERSION HOTSWAP key.

Part One: The Three Trials.

Mêlée Island

Walk right on the pier until you’re at Scumm Bar.

Walk inside. To your left there’s a pirate, talk to him. He’ll say you should talk to another pirate: the one-eyed one on the next table. This will bring you up-to-date on Mêlée Island’s affairs.

Walk right, past the red curtains and talk to Pirate Leaders.

They demand you undergo three trials to become a pirate:

1) Defeat the Sword master
2) Steal the Idol of ManyHands from Governor’s Elaine Marley Mansion
3) Find the Legendary Lost Treasure of Mêlée Island

Don’t forget to ask about the Grog contents.

To your right there’s the kitchen, but to get in you must wait for the cook to leave.

When he does so, get in and pick up the Meat.
Use Meat in Pot on Stove
Pick up Stewed Meat
Pick up Pot from underneath the table.

Go through door to small pier on your right.
Try to pick up the fish. You’ll need to scare off that Seagull.

Go to the furthermost right, stand on the same plank the bird is in. Do this 3 times. Quickly pick up the fish. Leave the Bar. Walk next screen to the right.

Talk to sneaky-looking-map-selling pirate. You’ll eventually buy the map, but not for now.

Across the street there are 3 pirates.

Talk to them: - say you’ll take the Minutes if they pay you 2 pieces of eight.

Enter first door on the right – It’s a Voodoo store!

Pick up Chicken with pulley in the middle. Go right and meet the Voodoo Lady. Ask about your future. Then leave.

1) Defeating the Sword Master

Walk past the archway.

Enter store on your right. Ask for the Sword master.
Follow the Storekeeper. In case, you don’t know where he‘s gone when the island map pops up, click on the Fork.

Follow him around the forest. He’ll lead you to Carla, the Sword Master. Never mind writing down directions as you’ll be able later to go directly from the Island Map to the Sword Master’s house.

Talk to Carla, the Sword master.

She replies: you’ll need a sword, but first you need to get some money to buy one.

Walk to the first set of lights right of the Sword master’s – they’re marked Clearing, and you’ll find a circus.

Talk to the Fettuccini Brothers and ask how much they’ll pay to shoot off the cannon. Reply you have a helmet. Give Fettuccini Bros the Pot from the kitchen.

Go back to the village and enter store to buy the sword and the shovel.

In the island overview map, select Sword masters’ Place.
Say you’re there to kill her. She answers that first you should find Captain Smirk and train.

Select the bridge on island map.

Say to the Troll you’re a mighty pirate. Insult him.
Give him the fish. Continue to path.

You reach a house. Read the sign outside. Try to enter Captain Smirk’s Gym.

Tell Smirk you want to fight better than the Sword master. Keep insisting you have it in you.

He gives you a lengthy class and orders you to practice you insults.

Running along the island map paths are 3 pirates, with whom you can practice – just walk up to them and click on them. Say prepare to die and this will start up a fight.

Insult Sword fighting

The trick is getting insulted – to learn insults and add them to your repertoire.
And using new insults to learn the correct answers and add them too to your answer list.

Fight until all four pirates: Ugly Pirate, Stinking Pirate, Bloodthirsty Pirate and Dirty Rotten Pirate until they all say you’re ready to take on the sword master, but check first if you know all insults and their correct replies. You must have all of them to beat Carla.

Insults and their answers

Pirate Insult: You're no match for my brains, you poor fool.
Sword Master Insult: I've got the courage and skill of a master swordsman!
Guybrush answer: I'd be in real trouble if you ever used them.

PI: You make me want to puke.
SM: If your brother's like you, better to marry a pig.
G: You make me think somebody already did.

PI: You have the manners of a beggar.
SM: Every word you say to me is stupid.
G: I wanted to make sure you'd feel comfortable with me.

PI: You fight like a dairy farmer.
SM: I will milk every drop of blood from your body!
G: How appropriate. You fight like a cow.

PI: This is the END for you, you gutter-crawling cur!
SM: I've got a long, sharp lesson for you to learn today.
G: And I've got a little TIP for you. Get the POINT?

PI: There are no words for how disgusting you are!
SM: There are no clever moves that can help you now.
G: Yes, there are. You just never learned them.

PI: Soon you’ll be wearing my sword like a shish-kebab.
SM: My tongue is sharper than any sword.
G: First you’d better stop waving it like a feather-duster.

PI: People fall at my feet when they see me coming.
SM: I usually see people like you passed out on tavern floors.
G: Even BEFORE they smell your breath?

PI: Nobody’s ever drawn blood from me and nobody ever will.
SM: No one will ever catch ME fighting as badly as you do.
G: You RUN that fast?

PI: My handkerchief will wipe up your blood.
SM: My name is feared in every dirty corner of this island.
G: So you got that job as janitor, after all!

PI: I’ve spoken with Apes more polite than you.
SM: Now I know what filth and stupidity really are.
G: I’m glad to hear you attended your family reunion!

PI: I’ve heard you were a contemptible sneak.
SM: My sword is famous all over the Caribbean.
G: Too bad no one’s ever heard of YOU at all!

PI: I’m not going to take your insolence sitting down.
SM: You are a pain in the backside, sir!
G: Your hemorrhoids are flaring up again, eh?

PI: I once owned a dog that was smarter than you.
SM: Only once have I met such a coward!
G: He must have taught you everything you know!

PI: I got this scar on a mighty struggle!
SM: My last fight ended with my hands covered with blood!
G: I hope now you’ve learned to stop picking your nose!

PI: Have you stopped wearing diapers yet?
SM: I hope you have a boat ready for a quick escape!
G: Why, did you want to borrow one?

Once you’ve defeated Carla, she'll give you a t-shirt as proof. Before going to the pirate leaders to brag about it enter the fork and follow the rightmost path to the yellow flowers. Pick a petal.

Then, go to the Pirate Leaders and tell them you’re the deadliest scalawag…
-Tell me again about pilfering the idol.

2) Stealing the Idol of Many Hands

Go past the archway and into the alley – you’ll meet the sheriff Fester Shinetop.
Back to the main street, pass the church and enter jail.

Talk to the prisoner. He needs some breath mints. Go to the store and buy some to give him. Ask him about the flowers.

Sheriff Shinetop makes a quick charming appearance…again!

Head back to the street, pass the archway to the right and walk to the piranha poodles. Look at them. Use meat with yellow petal. Give meat to poodles.

Enter mansion. Walk through door on the left.

The Sheriff is waiting for you and a fight breaks out.

Guybrush will come out saying he needs a file.

Go to jail and talk to the Otis. He wants rat repellent. Give him the gopher repellent that you got from the mansion. He’ll trade it for the “heavy” carrot cake. Open cake.

There’s your file. Hurry back to the mansion and slide through the gaping hole.

Answer anything to Shinetop, because Elaine will come out supporting your version.

Say any gibberish to Elaine.

Upon leaving, you’ll find out Shinetop is waiting for you. After the cut scene where he dumps you tied up to the idol into the ocean, all you have to do is pick up the idol. Guybrush picks up the sword himself.

Elaine’s cut scene is quite funny, so enjoy!

Go to the Scumm bar and tell the Pirate Leaders you’re the sneakiest footpad in these isles! Ask again about the treasure.

3) Finding the Legendary Lost Treasure of Mêlée Island

Buy a map from sneaky-looking at the corner. Look at map in inventory.

Go to the fork on the island map. In case you want to find the treasure on your own just follow the instructions on the dance lessons map.

Treasure Hunt Spoiler

Select rightmost path to the yellow flowers.

Choose far left path.

Continue to far right.

This time choose far left.

Continue to far right.

Walk to top path.

Select far right.

Walk to left.

Choose top path.

You should be in a red flower bed. Walk right.

Read the sign and the mark. Look at X on the forest ground.

Use shovel on the X.

Now you’ve found your 100% Cotton Legendary Lost Treasure of Melee Island.

Back in the village’s pier you’ll see a ghost ship sailing away. Talk to the lookout. Look at the note he gave you.

Next mission: find a crew and a ship.

Start with the bar – pick up all 5 mugs. Talk to cook. Ask for grog. Go to kitchen.
Pick up meat, stew it and grab it from the cooking pot.

Fill a mug with the barrel’s grog. Now, as you certainly noticed the grog melts the mug after a short while.

You should use the filled with grog melting mug with an empty one every time one’s melting away. Head to jail and use mug of grog with lock. This frees the prisoner Otis who tricks you and runs away. So far no luck in getting a crew! Soon the tide will change…!

Go to Island Map. Go to the small island on the upper right. It’s Hook Island. Climb the pole. Use rubber chicken with pulley on the cable and enter house.

Talk to Meathook and tell him Elaine’s been kidnapped. He demands a proof of your courage. Accept. Open the small door and pet the parrot.

You’re still a crew member short. Visit Carla, the sword master to find out she’ll agree to join your crew.

Now, go to the lights – to discover Stan’s Emporium! Talk to him about all topics. You don’t even have the money to the Sea Monkey. When you’re leaving he’ll give you a card and crazy compass.

Remember he mentioned the shopkeeper extends credit? Find your way to the store.

Ask him for a note of credit. When he opens the safe, quickly jot down the combination. Regardless of what job you claim to have, he won’t be satisfied and will put away the note of credit in the safe. This is your second chance to get the combination, as it is differs from game to game. Send him off again to the Sword master’s house. And open the safe using your notes. Remember PUSH = LEFT; PULL=RIGHT. Pick up the note.

Get back to Stan’s. Ask to see the cheap one again. Tell him you have credit and turn down every single extra. Offer him 5.000 pieces o’ eight for the vessel. He says it’s not enough. Say you don’t need the boat. He’ll try to make the deal. Agree, make your offer and get your own ship.

Go to the pier (where sheriff threw you into the ocean) to meet Stan and your crew.

And with this ends Part One!

Coming next:

Read Piece of Paper nailed to Banana Tree.
Pick up Banana.
Look at Rowboat.

Enter Monkey Island.

Go to Fort. There Pick up Rope and Spyglass.
Push Cannon.
Toothrot will make a brief appearance.
Push Cannon. Pick up Gunpowder and Cannonball.

Go to River Fork. Pick up note under small rock.
Look at noteworthy rock to discover a flint.
Look at Spyglass to discover a lens.
Use Lens with Sun and blow up the dam.

Now, go to the Pond.

Pick up rope and note. Herman Toothrot wanders by again.

Return to River Fork, to go past the bridge and climb the first set of footholds. On that ledge, pick up the note and pull once the primitive art (catapult) and climb the next set of footholds. On top of the mountain, walk to rock. After chatting with Herman, again, push rock and you’ll see it flying off into the distance. You must go back to adjust the catapult and keep on pushing rocks until Guybrush says the rock hit the Banana Tree on the Beach.

Go to the Crack near the Beach. Use Rope with strong branch. Walk to sturdy stump. Use another rope with sturdy stump. Pick up oars.

Go to beach. Pick up bananas. Use oars on rowboat.
Now you can access the North side of the island. Go to the Village.

Pick the bananas on the bowl of fruit by the stone head. The cannibals arrest you for stealing from them. Inside the Jail Hut: pick up the banana picker and the cute skull, to reveal a loose floor board.

Push loose board and escape to the beach. Go to the south end near the first beach you’ve been on when you arrived on Monkey Island. Jumping about in the nearby jungle there’s a monkey, feed him all the bananas. He’ll now follow you through the jungle to the clearing on the East side. There’s the Monkey Head. To access it Pull the Nose of the leftmost totem pole. Your pet monkey will help you.

By the Giant Monkey Head there are a lot of Idols. Find the Wimpy Idol made by Lemonhead and pick it up.

Go offer it to the cannibals in exchange for your freedom. When they leave, grab the banana picker.

Herman shows up and you must talk to him. Give him the banana pick and he’ll give you the monkey’s head key.

Go Open the Gigantic Monkey Head and return to Cannibal Village to chat about LeChuck and get some help. Give them the Leaflet and they’ll offer you the navigation head. Hurry back to the monkey head and proceed right to the catacombs. Use the head; it will face the right path.

When you find the Ghost Ship, bully the Navigator’s Head into giving you the necklace. You must wear it to enter the ship.

Enter door to the left, to reach LeChuck’s Quarters. Use magnetic compass with key to get it. Walk down to hatch. Past the dorm into the hold, by the chickens, there’s a ghost feather – pick it up, and go to the dorm to use it (twice) on the sleeping ghost WHEN he’s lying on his back. He drops the bottle of grog and now Guybrush can pick it up. Unlock the hatch in hold and enter it. Use grog with rat dish. Pick up grease. Back in the main deck, use grease with squeaking door. Once inside, pick up ghost tools.

Go to the hold by the crew dorm and use the ghost tools in the glowing crate. Look at it and get the root. Get back in catacombs and use the head.

You’ll find yourself in the village where after giving the cannibals the root, they hand you a spray bottle. Go into the jungle and you’ll arrive at the underground ghost pirate hangout, to meet a ghost pirate. Talk to him.

Finally, your crew appears!

On the Pier select the grog line to say to ghost pirate 1 and again in the street corner to ghost pirate 2. Stop the wedding. At Stan’s Ship Emporium, pick up root beer and use it on LeChuck.

Enjoy the game finale.

Enter the Story: The world’s biggest adventure game

2009-10-01T18:44:00.006+01:00

Enter the Story is a 20 year epic indie project to turn iconic classical books into games. In the words of the developer, Chris Tolworthy: “each story becomes a complete stand alone game”, also linking “together to form what will be the world’s largest adventure game”.
In this classic point-and-click adventure, you are Peri, a guardian angel, determined to get ultimate answers, flying off to help the star of each book’s faithful adaptation. The first book is Les Miserable’s and the second the Divine Comedy, both available now. The next game will be based on Genesis of the Gods and will be release coming winter.
Upcoming episodes will be released every four months and be based on Shakespeare’s complete works, including Julius Caesar; the Count of Monte Cristo, Plato's Atlantis, and even Einstein’s General Relativity, just to give you a glimpse of what’s in stored.

Many of us are tired of poorly written characters and even weaker plots, that regardless of graphical quality and playability – and I not saying that they are not important in a game – made you feel like you want to quit playing or at least that the game could be better and you’ve should have gotten more from it. Now you can graphically explore the classics you read, interact with its characters in a realistic atmosphere, as Chris Tolworthy points out.

The games are the life project of Chris Tolworthy single writer/adapter, programmer, developer, and in my opinion are worth collecting due to sheer originality and valuable contribution to the gamming scene. Plus if you buy an episode you get the previous releases free.

Whether you’re an avid reader looking to enhance your favorite book experience, or a gamer who is looking for more depth in a game, or you are looking for ultimate answers, join Peri on her exciting ongoing quest. To purchase visit Enter the Story official site.

The Secret of Monkey Island Special Edition

2009-10-01T18:43:00.003+01:00

Ship's Ahoy, there! For all ye’ Swashbuckling Buccaneers this is a real treat! And cool thing too is that we can play it in the classic version, if we prefer it to the new version! With a single push of a button, we are presented with the VGA version of the game and its MIDI soundtrack. It also allows you to compare nowadays high-definition graphics with the old ones. The great features of this new improved game are the re-mastered orchestral score and the original voice cast from the Curse of Monkey Island.

For all you newbies to Monkey Island, here's a chance to play the twenty-year-old original adventure that made legions of fans, who awaited for each of the five episodes of the series with increased enthusiasm. Our intrepid adventurer is Guybrush Threepwood, a skinny ponytailed kid, who went deep in the Caribbean to Mêleé Island to become a "mighty pirate". There, on Scumm Bar (this is also the name of the engine software of quite a few adventure games of the time and it will have its own Chapter here on Book of Adventure), he meets the Pirate Leaders, who assign him three trials. The trials are: 1) defeat the Swordmaster in battle; 2) steal the Idol of Many Hands from the Governor's Mansion; 3) find the Legendary Lost Treasure of Mêleé Island. However, the real adventure takes off when Governor Elaine Marley is kidnapped by Ghost Pirate LeChcuck, the evil undead nemesis of our hapless hero. Unseemingly enough both Guybrush and evil LeChuck fell in love with Elaine and this leads to a comic saga of adventures. Happy pirating!

ScummVM

2009-10-01T18:42:00.008+01:00

Here’s a piece of good news for all point-and-click adventurers, ScummVM will have a Chapter of its own, here on The Book of Adventure. If you are wondering what that can possibly be, keep on reading.

ScummVM (Script Creation Utility for Maniac Mansion Virtual Machine) is a program that enables you to run classic graphical point-and-click adventure games. Basically it’s a software engine that replaces the executable file from a game, allowing you to play it on virtually any platform. Here’s a few: Windows, Linux, Mac OS X, Dreamcast, PocketPC, PalmOS, AmigaOS, BeOS, OS/2, PSP, PS2, SymbianOS and many more...
Amongst the games you can play using ScummVM are Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, Indiana Jones and the Fate of Atlantis, The Secret of Monkey Island, Monkey Island 2: LeChuck’s Revenge, the Curse of Monkey Island, Broken Sword 1: the Shadow of the Templars, Broken Sword: The Smoking Mirror, Loom, Maniac Mansion, Simon the Sorcerer 1 and 2, Gobliins, etcaetera…

I’ve got around to testing Broken Sword 1 on my PS2 and it works beautifully! I was already a fan of Broken Sword’s but seeing the game graphics on my TV screen was really breathtaking. I installed ScummVM and copied the original game files to an 8GB Pen, plugged in a mouse and voilá – I was watching the Cafe in Paris being blown up! It works just as well on a PC.

So dust your oldies and check out the compatibility list to see whether you can replay them. However, the games that run on ScummVM are mostly abandonware nowadays and will soon be available for download on ScummVM Chapter.