The Ape Escape

There are still some of us who sigh with nostalgia for the golden age of adventure games, a time when point 'n' click classics appeared almost every month. And no other company is responsible for more of those classics than LucasArts: Maniac Mansion, Day Of The Tentacle, Sam & Max, Indiana Jones And The Fate Of Atlantis, The Dig and, of course, the Monkey Island series. Few games have made us laugh more or kept us more enthralled with their puzzles as those starring the world's worst pirate, Guybrush Threepwood. We thought we'd seen the last of LucasArts' adventures when the brilliant Grim Fandango ms released well over a year ago, but Escape From Monkey Island proves it hasn't forgotten the genre completely.

The story is rather complicated, and goes something like this: Guybrush's new bride and the Governor, Elaine, is the victim of a vicious campaign by the evil Charie Charles, who is after her job. Guybrush then becomes embroiled in a complex series of events involving thievery and voodoo as he helps her with her re-election campaign and uncovers a scheme to wipe out the Tri-Island Area using the Ultimate Insult.

As you can see from the screenshots, the graphics are in gorgeous 3D and the humour promises to be as intelligent and tongue-in-cheek as ever. The game should arrive sometime in the autumn and our pointing 'n' clicking fingers are already quivering in anticipation.