Originally developed by Schafer and co. while they were still working for LucasArts, the rights to Grim Fandango were attained by Double Fine back in 2013. Due to issues tracking down the original files, Double Fine went to great lengths to recreate aspects of Grim Fandango that had been lost or destroyed, even going as far as to contact ex-LucasArts employees and ask them for copies of certain game files. Work began almost immediately on a remastered version of the classic adventure-game, with plans to overhaul everything from the lighting and the tank-controls to the score. With the help of PC modders and ex-employees of LucasArts, Double Fine managed to do just that, implementing a better control scheme and new dynamic lighting to give the game a more richly detailed atmosphere. The soundtrack was also rerecorded by Peter McConnell, fully orchestrated by the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra for the remastered addition of the game. Set in the Land of the Dead, players assume the role of Manny Calavera, a deathly travel-agent who helps secure passage for departed souls to the Ninth Underworld. However, after discovering a sinister conspiracy, Manny must undertake the four year journey himself, travelling through the Land of the Dead in order the reach his final destination. The game itself involves solving complex puzzles by using various objects found throughout the world and using those objects to interact with characters and the environment. Beautifully written with complex and relatable characters, well-orchestrated, intelligently designed with plenty of head-scratching puzzles, Grim Fandango is one of the best examples of the adventure-game genre. It deserves to be played. Go play it.
