Grim Fandango
A 1998 adventure game set in the Land of the Dead.
Grim Fandango, a 1998 adventure game, was directed by Tim Schafer and created by LucasArts for Windows. It marked the studio's first adventure title to use 3D character graphics placed over pre-rendered, static backgrounds. Players solve puzzles by talking to characters and by examining, collecting, and using objects, following the tradition of earlier LucasArts adventure games.
The game takes place in the Land of the Dead, a retro-futuristic version of the 1950s. Recently deceased souls, shown as calaca-like skeletons, travel through this realm before reaching their final destination. The story follows travel agent Manuel "Manny" Calavera as he tries to help a new arrival, Mercedes "Meche" Colomar, on her journey. The setting blends Aztec afterlife concepts with film noir style, drawing inspiration from movies like *The Maltese Falcon*, *On the Waterfront*, and *Casablanca*.
Critics praised Grim Fandango for its art design and direction. It received several awards and is often ranked among the greatest video games. However, it did not sell well commercially, and its poor performance contributed to LucasArts' decision to stop making adventure games, as well as the broader decline of the genre.
In 2014, after Disney bought and closed LucasArts as a game developer the year before, Tim Schafer's studio Double Fine Productions—with help from Sony—acquired the Grim Fandango license. Double Fine created a remastered version with improved character graphics, new controls (including point-and-click), an orchestrated score, and director's commentary. This remaster launched for Linux, OS X, PlayStation 4, PlayStation Vita, and Windows in January 2015, for Android and iOS in May 2015, for Nintendo Switch in November 2018, and for Xbox One in October 2020.
Quick Facts
- Title
- Grim Fandango
- Developer
- LucasArtsRemastered version developed by Double Fine Productions
- Publisher
- LucasArtsRemastered version published by Double Fine Productions; Xbox One remastered version published by Xbox Game Studios.
- Director
- Tim Schafer
- Programmer
- Bret Mogilefsky
- Artist
- Peter Tsacle
- Composer
- Peter McConnell
- Engine
- GrimE
- Platforms
- Windows · Linux · OS X · PlayStation 4 · PlayStation Vita · Android · iOS · Nintendo Switch · Xbox One
- Genre
- Graphic adventure
- Modes
- Single-player
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
Grim Fandango follows travel agent Manuel 'Manny' Calavera as he attempts to guide a new arrival, Mercedes 'Meche' Colomar, on her journey through the Land of the Dead. The game uses the GrimE engine, pre-rendering static backgrounds from 3D models while characters are animated in 3D. The player controls Manny's movements and actions with a keyboard, joystick, or gamepad, and must collect objects to solve puzzles. The game has no HUD; Manny turns his head toward objects or persons of interest.
Reader's Guide
Grim Fandango received praise for its art design and direction and is often listed as one of the greatest video games. However, it was a commercial failure and contributed towards LucasArts' decision to end adventure game development and the decline of the adventure game genre. In 2014, with help from Sony, Schafer's studio Double Fine Productions acquired the Grim Fandango license following Disney's acquisition and closure of LucasArts as a game developer. Double Fine produced a remastered version featuring improved character graphics, controls, an orchestrated score, and director's commentary, released for multiple platforms starting in January 2015.
Did You Know?
- Grim Fandango is the first LucasArts adventure game to use 3D computer graphics overlaid on pre-rendered static backgrounds.
- The game combines elements of the Aztec afterlife with film noir style, with influences including The Maltese Falcon, On the Waterfront, and Casablanca.
- The player can never die or otherwise get into a no-win situation, as in most LucasArts adventure games.
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