It is hard to escape the heady air of nostalgia that comes with playing Grim Fandango Remastered, but regardless of happy memories of the original 1998 release, even by today’s standards it remains a brilliant work. This updated edition offers a gameworld that gracefully blends the tropes of film noir, art deco and the Day of the Dead festival. Its star is a quick-talking skeleton of a travel agent for the afterlife, setting off to save a lost soul. As per the adventure genre conventions, Grim Fandango Remastered occupies the player with interactive conversations and puzzle solving. It is a particularly fine example of the form, stuffing a sumptuously realised setting with witty, sharp scripting.
This remastered update offers a smattering of extras, an understated visual polish and a rousing update to the game’s bebop and big band soundtrack. It isn’t perfect, though, suffering control issues and a few weak puzzles. But whether you remember the original or not, Grim Fandango still offers a stylish mystery drama that delights effortlessly.
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