EFMI is best of series!

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Comments

  • edited July 2009
    Austin P wrote: »
    You don't HAVE to get the other organs.
    The sewer cover has the correct names listed on it if you examine it.
    Not only that, but you can combine the nonessential organs, so that it's only one item instead of many.

    I know that now, but I never remember during gameplay because I tend not to replay it for six or seven years at a time. So I go through endless iterations of that stupid story collecting things I don't need. Grrrrrr.
  • VainamoinenVainamoinen Moderator
    edited July 2009
    Everlast wrote: »
    it lacke the piratey atmosphere.

    Totally! Amusement parks, tiki bars and robots, that's what the game was about! I was so disappointed. Also, the German translation was exceptionally bad.
  • edited July 2009
    EFMI is the Dragonball GT of Monkey Island its hated because its inferior but its hated way too much IMO. and yes monkey kombat was awful except on the ps2 where it had a menu that rememberd all the different combos for you (why wasnt that in the pc one)?
  • edited July 2009
    EMI I thought was the worst. My order being :

    Monkey 2
    Monkey 1
    Monkey 3
    Monkey 4
  • edited July 2009
    it lacke the piratey atmosphere.

    Totally! Amusement parks, tiki bars and robots, that's what the game was about! I was so disappointed. Also, the German translation was exceptionally bad.

    Yes, EMI do indeed lacke the piratey atmosphere. But it always seemed intentional on the part of the designers. EMI depicts a world where the pirate way has been co-opted by suburban consumerism, something the series always hinted at (with the "tm"s and stuff). It's central theme was "it's just not that fun to be a pirate anymore." It was a compelling idea, but about as fun to play as it sounds. The game felt phoned in, the characteristic LA polish wasn't there, it just felt like their hearts weren't in it. I have a sneaking suspicion the suits forced EMI out the door on a very tight budget and timeline, effectively hammering the last nail in the coffin of their adventure wing (and I think they did all that on purpose). To me, the whole corporate culture plot element of EMI always smacked of resentment on the part of the designers, who very well may have had to shelve original IP's in development to work on yet another sequel (which turned out to be the last adventure game LA published, leaving those theoretically cancelled projects to die).

    In sum, I think EMI is sort of indicative of all the upheaval (firings, walkouts, the dwindling adventure market forcing a new corporate strategy) going on internally at the time, and turned out to be something like a massive tax writeoff for LALLLC. It probably left a lot of talented artists thinking, "it's just not that fun to be an adventure game designer anymore."
  • edited July 2009
    Yes, EMI do indeed lacke the piratey atmosphere. But it always seemed intentional on the part of the designers. EMI depicts a world where the pirate way has been co-opted by suburban consumerism, something the series always hinted at (with the "tm"s and stuff). It's central theme was "it's just not that fun to be a pirate anymore." It was a compelling idea, but about as fun to play as it sounds. The game felt phoned in, the characteristic LA polish wasn't there, it just felt like their hearts weren't in it. I have a sneaking suspicion the suits forced EMI out the door on a very tight budget and timeline, effectively hammering the last nail in the coffin of their adventure wing (and I think they did all that on purpose). To me, the whole corporate culture plot element of EMI always smacked of resentment on the part of the designers, who very well may have had to shelve original IP's in development to work on yet another sequel (which turned out to be the last adventure game LA published, leaving those theoretically cancelled projects to die).

    In sum, I think EMI is sort of indicative of all the upheaval (firings, walkouts, the dwindling adventure market forcing a new corporate strategy) going on internally at the time, and turned out to be something like a massive tax writeoff for LALLLC. It probably left a lot of talented artists thinking, "it's just not that fun to be an adventure game designer anymore."

    Well said. My thought exactly. EfMI is the regrettable product of a culmination of unfortunate events at a then unhappy LA.
  • edited July 2009
    It's my least favourite of the series, but I still think it's a very good game. And I really wasn't bothered by the graphics, except on Pegnose Pete, who looked really weird. I think EMI improved LeChuck over CMI, though (MI2 LeChuck is still my favourite), in CMI he was just as dumb as a rock and I didn't really like it, but at least in EMI he had half a brain back. I know people will disagree with me, but it's just my personal opinion.
  • edited July 2009
    EMI is certainly not all bad. It has some hilarious moments that rival anything in prior MI games, they're just too few and far between. It's easy to bash it when we had it so good with LA adventure titles in general for what, 15 years at that point?

    I remember frequenting the scummbar forum before CMI even came out. That being the first continuation of the series sans Ron, let me tell you it was like a hunk of raw meat thrown to a pack of rabid dogs. The hatred for it was deeper than anything I've seen since, and it didn't really get the respect it deserved until EMI came out!

    And when fans complain about ToMI's 3d graphics, it totally cracks me up because they did the SAME thing to CMI. "I doesn't feel right. I want my VGA back!" Like, they were fine with every other LA title advancing graphically, but wanted MI to be stuck in the early 90's forever!
  • edited July 2009
    A bit off-topic but I remember playing Curse of Monkey Island (MI3) for the first time and loving the new graphic style while most people didn't like it at all... happened the same with Zelda Wind Waker.
  • edited July 2009
    I have to say that EMI really put shame to Murray. He was a really enjoyable character in CMI.
  • edited July 2009
    Am I the only one who thinks that each installment of MI is better than its predecessor?

    I like EMI.
  • edited July 2009
    Yes, EMI do indeed lacke the piratey atmosphere. But it always seemed intentional on the part of the designers. EMI depicts a world where the pirate way has been co-opted by suburban consumerism, something the series always hinted at (with the "tm"s and stuff). It's central theme was "it's just not that fun to be a pirate anymore." It was a compelling idea, but about as fun to play as it sounds. The game felt phoned in, the characteristic LA polish wasn't there, it just felt like their hearts weren't in it. I have a sneaking suspicion the suits forced EMI out the door on a very tight budget and timeline, effectively hammering the last nail in the coffin of their adventure wing (and I think they did all that on purpose). To me, the whole corporate culture plot element of EMI always smacked of resentment on the part of the designers, who very well may have had to shelve original IP's in development to work on yet another sequel (which turned out to be the last adventure game LA published, leaving those theoretically cancelled projects to die).

    In sum, I think EMI is sort of indicative of all the upheaval (firings, walkouts, the dwindling adventure market forcing a new corporate strategy) going on internally at the time, and turned out to be something like a massive tax writeoff for LALLLC. It probably left a lot of talented artists thinking, "it's just not that fun to be an adventure game designer anymore."

    Oh, come on. Personally, EMI was great. It grew on me as I played. You seriously didn't like the un-piratey atmosphere? I thought it was a good humor sense. I didn't hear anyone complain about CMI! They did their best. let's face it: you guys are just upset about the whole Herman Toothrot being H.T. Marley.
  • edited July 2009
    Oh, come on. Personally, EMI was great. It grew on me as I played. You seriously didn't like the un-piratey atmosphere? I thought it was a good humor sense. I didn't hear anyone complain about CMI! They did their best. let's face it: you guys are just upset about the whole Herman Toothrot being H.T. Marley.

    As I said before, I don't think EMI sucked. My post wasn't intended as haterade, just a totally subjective critique (I actually find it's flaws sort of fascinating) with some largely uninformed speculation about it's conception. And I found the un-piratey atmosphere appropriately sardonic, just sort of depressing. In my follow up post, I mentioned that many fans actually did complain about CMI upon it's release, IMO much harsher than with EMI. I mean, people were literally like "Monkey Island is now dead to me because Ron's gone and this isn't VGA/MIDI." It was a different time, what can I say?

    Anyway, totally respect your opinion, as well as everyone else's on this board. Even the Germans.

    EDIT: One last thing. The real intent of that post wasn't even to critique EMI, but to talk about it's themes as possibly being the designers' critique on the industry turning it's back on adventure games.
  • edited July 2009
    you know, i just played through curse of monkey island for the first time ever since i bought it about ...i think its been ten years?
    you know what stopped me dead in my tracks of playing it? the fact that Elaine referred to Guybrush as her 'one true love' at the start. I mean, seriously... really? it made absolutely no sense at all considering the way they interacted in Monkey Island 2. I actually thought it made a lot more sense that she just kindof tolerated him in Escape from Monkey Island (which I have to admit was way too cryptic for me.. I couldn't get past some of the harder puzzles so I abandoned it, probably never to finish it).

    I absolutely worship the first two games and have played them both so many times in the past 15 years that I found I knew every line by heart when I replayed them recently in celebration of the new 'Tales' announcement (which is what lead to me dusting off Curse). That said, I don't know if I can bring myself to play through all of number four before starting on Tales. There were a couple of bits that made me really laugh hard but it didnt seem to have the genius of the first two. Curse of Monkey Island in the end did win me over with how funny it was (and I thought Stan's crypt was pretty clever) though for a while there it almost felt like it was trying to do the same things with the story and progression as the first two games but BIGGER
  • edited July 2009
    Well, I just finished replaying EMI, and congratulated myself on my timing-- tomorrow I can play TMI. I have to say, I didn't find Monkey Kombat all that dismal an experience, using the chart at least. The puzzle with pitching rocks down the tunnels in the canyon was a lot more annoying. What did bug me was going to all that trouble to learn the Monkey Kombat moves and then, in the big final faceoff with Stone LeChuck... well, you know.

    As for Elaine suddenly deciding she loved Guybrush, at the beginning of CMI? I had a family member tell me last week she had just broken up with the guy she'd been dating for two years, that he was nice but boring, that she'd never really loved him, that she just wasn't cut out for romance, et cetera et cetera... and this weekend she announced that they just got engaged. Never expect people to make sense.
  • edited July 2009
    I hated EFMI, not only did terrible controls and strange graphics ruin a decent video game, but the story and approach completely killed the Monkey Island spirit with weird plot twists that make no sense.

    Monkey Combat sucked, 'the secret of Monkey Island' was stupid, the controls, graphics and story sucked.

    That being said Monkey Island is my favourite game series ever, and the second installment is my favourite -

    pilouuuu wrote: »
    For me the best is Le Chuck's Revenge. I consider TSOMI an almost perfect game. It has a magical element which makes all pieces fit together so well. The story, the graphics, the characters...

    But, MI2 LCR is like the first one, but with amazing hand painted graphics, one of the best soundtracks of any video game ever, and even more crazy antics and characters. It may not be as perfect as the first, but I consider it a better game. Strange and contradictory? Yes, maybe.

    This sums it up nicely :)

    I know my EFMI hate may be a little extreme but it's the intense love for the originals and subsequent bastardization by EFMI that causes such rage.
  • edited July 2009
    lol nurrrdrage.
  • edited July 2009
    Haha, I hate to blaspheme here, but I might have to say that my personal monkey island order is:
    MI 3, MI 4,MI 1, MI 2
    Not that LeChuck's Revenge is bad or anything, but it just didn't quite click with me.


    ...Please don't kill me. If you kill me....
  • edited July 2009
    your LEAST favourite is MI2??

    *head explodes*
  • edited July 2009
    You crack me up little buddy
  • edited July 2009
    EFMI is actually one of the first games that got me into adventure gaming. I probably would have never been as into Monkey Island as I am now if it hadn't been for that game. I personally thought it was a great game that deserves a lot more than what people say. I mean I wouldn't say its the best out of all of them, but I certainly wouldn't say its a weak point in the series.
  • edited July 2009
    Perhaps the problem is that EMI was never going to live up to people's expectations;it was doomed to fail simply because people expected too much. Whilst I continue to believe that the game was ill-conceived and poorly made, perhaps even if this had not been the case, the game would still have "failed" in the eyes of the public.

    Also, it's worth remembering that not only did it have to live up to the reputation of the previous three instalments in the series, it was released after Grim Fandango, which itself must have been a very hard act to follow.
  • edited July 2009
    I only got into the MI franchise about 9 months ago and played through the first 3 and loved them!

    Then took me ages to get my hands on a copy of EMI and I was actually really disappointed with it. Didn't get round to finishing it until this week, and that was only because I don't want to play TMI before I've completed its predecessor.
  • edited July 2009
    EFMI is one of the few video games that I've ever started and then not finished. And I've finished a lot of crap in my day just for the sake of finishing it. I really didn't like Escape.
  • edited July 2009
    Am I the only one who thinks that each installment of MI is better than its predecessor?

    i personally liked CoMI the most, then it would be MI1,2 then 4. but that never stopped me from playing each game over, dozens of times :D
  • edited July 2009
    As I said before, I don't think EMI sucked. My post wasn't intended as haterade, just a totally subjective critique (I actually find it's flaws sort of fascinating) with some largely uninformed speculation about it's conception. And I found the un-piratey atmosphere appropriately sardonic, just sort of depressing. In my follow up post, I mentioned that many fans actually did complain about CMI upon it's release, IMO much harsher than with EMI. I mean, people were literally like "Monkey Island is now dead to me because Ron's gone and this isn't VGA/MIDI." It was a different time, what can I say?

    Anyway, totally respect your opinion, as well as everyone else's on this board. Even the Germans.

    EDIT: One last thing. The real intent of that post wasn't even to critique EMI, but to talk about it's themes as possibly being the designers' critique on the industry turning it's back on adventure games.

    OKayz. :rolleyes: ;) :)
  • edited July 2009
    KB57 wrote: »
    As for Elaine suddenly deciding she loved Guybrush, at the beginning of CMI? I had a family member tell me last week she had just broken up with the guy she'd been dating for two years, that he was nice but boring, that she'd never really loved him, that she just wasn't cut out for romance, et cetera et cetera... and this weekend she announced that they just got engaged. Never expect people to make sense.

    Good storytelling shouldn't demand the audience come up with their own explanations for holes and inconsistencies in character behaviour. MI3 was a well made game in many respects but they did a poor job of staying true to some of the original characterisations. For its flaws, even MI4 seemed to recognise that fact and make an attempt to rectify it.
  • edited July 2009
    Honestly, I think the OP is a troll.

    But EFMI is the worst in the series. Bad graphics, bad control, bad story. It wasn't even funny. I didn't laugh out loud once. The only memorable part of the game for me was the prosthetics shop.
  • edited July 2009
    Irishmile wrote: »
    I'm ok with people liking EFMI the best... I disagree but I am happy there is love for it..

    Seems to me you can pretty much guess what games people like the most by their age..... people around age 30 seem to like 1 or 2, People around age 20 seem to like 3... and people who are strange like 4. Just kidding about the strange bit... sort of :D

    I'm 25 and I like 2 the best, does this make me older than I am? :(
  • edited July 2009
    I think EMI gets more hate than it deserves, even if it is the weakest entry of the four. It's not terrible, it's just not a 5 outta 5 like the first three...
  • edited July 2009
    For sentimental reasons, I find myself liking MI1 the most; with MI2 coming in close.

    MI3 is different, in terms of adventure games, MI3 is a winner, it probably is the best of the series.

    MI4 fell into an unfortunate time of the gaming industry, a time when, making everything 3D was cost and time effective, plus popular; I feel sorry for MI4, if only the artwork had been something like MI3, the response to the game would probably different, you might even have enjoyed Monkey Kombat. I find that most people who enjoyed MI4 are newcomers to Monkey Island, going back to the originals is like first driving a Ferrari, then later driving a Ford Model T just to experience where cars come from - it is only going to suck unless you know how to appreciate it. However, this is where MI3 stands tall, its artwork is timeless.
  • edited July 2009
    Irishmile wrote: »
    I'm ok with people liking EFMI the best... I disagree but I am happy there is love for it..

    Seems to me you can pretty much guess what games people like the most by their age..... people around age 30 seem to like 1 or 2, People around age 20 seem to like 3... and people who are strange like 4. Just kidding about the strange bit... sort of :D

    I'm 15 and I like the first and second one best :)
  • edited July 2009
    Barnabus wrote: »
    MI3 was a well made game in many respects but they did a poor job of staying true to some of the original characterisations. For its flaws, even MI4 seemed to recognise that fact and make an attempt to rectify it.

    Since when? Guybrush was never totally incompetent, nor did Elaine treat Guybrush with spite until LeChuck's Revenge, and they had just broken up, not just gotten marries.
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