ToMI Reviews

bam

The german website gamersglobal.de released a review of the first episode "Launch of the Screaming Narwhal". 7.5 out of 10!

http://www.gamersglobal.de/test/tales-of-monkey-island-1?page=0,0

Conclusion (translated):

"Telltale Games showed with their first episode of Tales of Monkey Island that they are capable of capturing the charm of its predecessors. Now we need some more difficult puzzles and more content. We await the next episode."

All in all a positive review. I wonder why there are not more reviews at this time except from such a "small" website.

Shwoo

I hear there's an embargo on reviews until it's the 7th in California.

Fury

They probably went against it.

7.5 seems reasonable, it's what I expect for episodic games.

jp-30

I wonder why there are not more reviews at this time except from such a "small" website.

"Review coverage is embargoed until 12:01 am (Pacific time) on July 7."

That's still about 6 1/2 hours away.

ElaineMarleyThreepwood

Everyone is correct in saying that this website went against the embargo. I know that my review more than likely won't be finished/posted until this weekend or next week. Depends on my editor.

byron_hinson

Mine is ready to go at 12.01 pst!

Secret Fawful

ARGH. It's taking every ounce of my strength not to watch the videos on that website, look at the screenshots, or listen to Michael Land's score in the videos. >_<

Can tomorrow come soon enough?

Estel

Indeed, mine will be up on my site and the paper's site at 1201 sharp.

ElaineMarleyThreepwood

Well mine's late mostly because I totally didn't know about the game until... Yesterday. Maybe the day before and I talked to my editor and he was like... "Well, I have this shiny review code." So I started playing today. And now I'm hopelessly stuck as I get at one point in all adventure games.

Frogacuda

Mine's been done since Saturday

ElaineMarleyThreepwood

Anyone up for helping a poor soul in PM so as to avoid spoilers for everyone else? ;P

Frogacuda

sure, go for it, Mrs. Threepwood.

jp-30

Also you can ramp up the in game hints to '5' (default seems to be 1, and it goes down to 0) and wander round aimlessly a bit for in-game help.

Frogacuda

Hint system is basically useless unless you have no idea what your goal even is though. It'll just be like "Hey, I need to get on that ship" but never the slightest clue as to how.

bswb

Am I the only one who thought "The Largo Embargo" when the review embargo came up?

Shwoo

I guess the revargo embargo's been lifted now? I think it's the 7th in California.

Am I the only one who thought "The Largo Embargo" when the review embargo came up?

Apparently not.

Soup

GameInformer review is up

Frogacuda

Bye bye embargo. Review:
http://www.the-nextlevel.com/review/pc/tales-of-monkey-island-chapter-1/

Short version: Setting up for possibly the best thing Telltale's done.

LuigiHann

4cr Review:

http://www.4colorrebellion.com/archives/2009/07/07/4cr-review-tales-of-monkey-island-episode-1/

jp-30

Nice review Frogacuda. The camera angle thing / lack of feet never bothered me.

And yep it IS Monkey Island. the feel, the jokes, the plot. Perfectly captured, but I'd have expected nothing less.

Also, one particular puzzle (involving a monkey) is possibly my favourite adventure game puzzle ever.

air

Don't wanna read reviews.

I want to play!

Just setting up VMWare on my Mac

harry1975

Nintendophiles:

http://www.n-philes.com/news/4774/review-tales-of-monkey-island-launch-of-the-screaming-narwhal/

harry1975

bit-tech. net(8/10):

http://www.bit-tech.net/gaming/pc/2009/07/07/tales-of-monkey-island-episode-one-review/1

harry1975

Endsight(9/10):

http://www.endsights.com/2009/07/07/tales-of-monkey-island-episode-1-review-pc/

Will

jp-30 wrote: »

Also, one particular puzzle (involving a monkey) is possibly my favourite adventure game puzzle ever.

You and me both. Easily one of my favorites. Even before the scene existed, just reading the dialog and the puzzle design had me itching to see it in action.

ElaineMarleyThreepwood

jp-30 wrote: »

Nice review Frogacuda. The camera angle thing / lack of feet never bothered me.

And yep it IS Monkey Island. the feel, the jokes, the plot. Perfectly captured, but I'd have expected nothing less.

Also, one particular puzzle (involving a monkey) is possibly my favourite adventure game puzzle ever.

Jacques is adorable, if a bit sick.

jp-30

The mighty Mixnmojo review is up:

http://www.mixnmojo.com/features/read.php?article=tmi1

(there shouldn't be a skull rating, it's defaulted at 5/5 though, which is pretty funny)

Pretender

seems like very good reviews.. I'm still waiting for the download hehe

harry1975

Vooks.net(9/10):


http://www.vooks.net/article-1314-Tales-of-Monkey-Island--Launch-of-the-Screaming-Narwhal-Review.html


PerezStart(8.5/10):


http://www.perezstart.com/nintendo/review-tales-of-monkey-island-episode-one/6964/


Videogamer(6/10)


http://www.videogamer.com/pc/tales_of_monkey_island/review.html


gamezine(9/10):


http://www.gamezine.co.uk/reviews/game-types/adventure-games/tales-monkey-island-launch-the-screaming-narwhal-review-$1309562.htm/

SurplusGamer

Seems like so far the majority are fairly unimpressed with the mouse-only controls but are fine with the keyboard mouse combo. Not sure which side I'll come down on, but W&G controls worked fine for me.

Very excited to hear the final music.

Pretender

videogamer marked down the game for some stupid reasons.. I expect this game to be at least an 8..

Threepwood4Life

These review marks don't seem too bad, fair scores for an episodic game, can't wait to actually try it myself once I get email to say its up for download.

Aractus

I would already have a review up if I was sent an early copy too. But seeing as I don't have an established website I'll wait like everyone, Telltale are more than welcome to send me the future episodes in advance - I'm far more interested in getting a review up then in playing the waiting game.

Still, three or four weeks ago before I registered scummgames.net I had no idea I'd be creating a new website from scratch - a spur of the moment impulse decision has lead me to nurture this baby so she can be a REAL adventure-game resource.

ElaineMarleyThreepwood wrote: »

Everyone is correct in saying that this website went against the embargo. I know that my review more than likely won't be finished/posted until this weekend or next week. Depends on my editor.

That embargo was far too restrictive. I mean reviews should be up before release.

Still, I can't read any of them or I'll let them influence my own!

Estel

http://theboar.org/games/2009/jul/7/tales-monkey-island-launch-screaming-narwhal/

SeanSeanston

ElaineMarleyThreepwood wrote: »

And now I'm hopelessly stuck as I get at one point in all adventure games.

I remember what got me most in CMI, and probably more than any other adventure game, was that ****ing banjo duel.

I mean honestly, how was I meant to know that I supposed to use a banjo in a pistol duel? Or see that I could close the case and pick a banjo? It made no sense at all and took me ages to eventually figure out by accident

Those old LucasArts adventures were so cruel. I never would have played through Sam & Max Hit The Road last week if I hadn't had a walkthrough. Sometimes they just don't make sense and things that do make sense don't work.

*Waits for TMI*

jp-30

A banjo duel is a pop culture icon.


Squeal like a pig!

FilthyPumpkin

jp-30 wrote: »

"Review coverage is embargoed until 12:01 am (Pacific time) on July 7."

That's still about 6 1/2 hours away.

Looks like they overlooked "Pacific Time", becuase they posted it on July 7, 00:00, but CET.

jp-30

harry1975 wrote: »

Videogamer(6/10)


http://www.videogamer.com/pc/tales_of_monkey_island/review.html

"No LOL moments"

Holy hell, that says 1,000,000 more about the reviewer than he says about the game. I literally LOL'd half a dozen times, giggled most of the way through, and grinned the rest of the time.

JonathanEx

Actually, I don't think the embargo is a terribly bad thing. It's not as if these games are bad, it's not as if Telltale are trying to hide that.
The two positives are one, for reviewers, not having to rush and write with the starting pistol being when we get it in our inboxes, and two, I get the feeling people would be less inclined to spoil any elements of the game: and going in fresh with little knowledge of specific plot or puzzle details really helps.

Anyhoo, here's my review:
http://www.britishgaming.co.uk/2009/07/tales_of_monkey_island_1_screaming_narwhal/

For a franchise with such prestige, placing it in the hands of a different developer could be a risk – especially after it’s been resting for a few years. However, it’s turned out well, as Telltale has put out a worthy addition to the Monkey Island series. Launch of the Screaming Narwhal has a fun plot with some weird but fitting scenarios told through a funny dialogue and cast, with classic references sprinkled throughout the game without being too overbearing for those new to the series. The charm and unique logic of Monkey Island still survive through the puzzles and challenges, whilst still being really easy to get in to – and whether it’s your first adventure on the seven seas or you’re ready for more, this cannot be recommended enough.
The only major thing that has let me down after finishing Chapter 1… is that I’ll have to wait another one more month to see where Guybrush ends up in the next stage of his quest.

I absolutely loved it. It definitely feels like it's the first "part" of the saga, and so I hope things will gear up as it goes on but it's a good way to get in to it all.

ParadiseLost

GameStar.it review (85/100)

http://www.gamestar.it/showPage.php?template=Recensione&id=1718&masterPage=ngs_articolo.html&argomento=Tales+of+Monkey+Island

harry1975

Wired(positive):

http://www.wired.com/geekdad/2009/07/monkeyislandpartone/