PGC NEWS

Two decades ago, humor in media was often sanitized and straightforward. 1993, the year of Groundhog Day and Mrs. Doubtfire, wasn’t exactly known for embracing the absurd. Yet, amidst this landscape, Day of the Tentacle, a sequel to Maniac Mansion, emerged during the golden age of LucasArts adventure games. It achieved immense success and remains a beloved classic.

Now, following in the remastered footsteps of Grim Fandango, Day of the Tentacle returns, revitalized for a modern audience, thanks to the vision of Tim Schafer, one of its original creators.

Day of the Tentacle Remastered – Bernard, Hoagie, and Laverne

Time-Traveling Hijinks and Hilarious Puzzles

The story remains unchanged. Purple Tentacle, residing in the Edison mansion, drinks from a polluted river and gains newfound power, sprouting extra arms and plotting world domination. Green Tentacle enlists Bernard Bernoulli and his friends, Laverne and Hoagie, who previously visited the mansion, to thwart Purple Tentacle’s scheme with the help of Dr. Fred Edison through time travel.

A mishap separates the trio. Bernard remains in the present, needing a diamond to power the time machine. Hoagie travels 200 years into the past, encountering George Washington drafting the US Constitution. Laverne gets flung 200 years into the future, where tentacles have enslaved humanity.

Time travel is a familiar trope in adventure games, but Day of the Tentacle Remastered ingeniously weaves it into the core gameplay. Players switch between the three protagonists across different time periods, solving puzzles by sending items through time via a toilet in the time machines. Actions in the past have consequences in the future, adding a unique layer to the puzzle-solving. For instance, to rescue Laverne stuck in a tree, you’ll need to consider George Washington’s infamous cherry tree incident.

Day of the Tentacle Remastered – Time Travel Puzzles

Like other LucasArts classics, Day of the Tentacle Remastered embraces visual humor in its dialogue, art style, and gameplay. Puzzles are often illogical and absurd, creating laugh-out-loud moments. You’ll fool tentacles with a US-flag camouflaged tentacle suit, build a beauty pageant contestant from a mummy, spaghetti, dentures from a hypnotized horse, and roller skates, and age wine into vinegar by sending it through the time-traveling toilet. These quirky scenarios are surprisingly clever and consistently funny.

Remarkably, the humor hasn’t aged a day. It remains fresh and engaging, never feeling forced or tiresome. The game fully embraces its comedic nature, raising the question: “Beyond the laughs, what else is there?”

The answer is that Day of the Tentacle Remastered doesn’t need anything else. While Grim Fandango blends humor with darker themes and a cynical tone, Day of the Tentacle Remastered delivers pure, unadulterated laughs from the most absurd situations imaginable. Its purpose isn’t a complex, multi-layered narrative. The plot is simple, lacking characters with intricate backstories, memorable catchphrases, or hidden mysteries.

Day of the Tentacle Remastered – Humorous Characters

For some, this simplicity might be a drawback. Part of the joy of adventure games is immersing oneself in the story and characters. Day of the Tentacle Remastered, while undeniably funny, has fewer emotionally resonant moments than Grim Fandango. However, it excels at what it sets out to do: make you laugh until your sides hurt. It embraces its cartoonish nature, encouraging players to suspend disbelief and enjoy the ride.

A Remaster Done Right

The true highlight of Day of the Tentacle Remastered lies in its stunning visual overhaul. Unlike many remasters that simply upscale the resolution, Double Fine Productions has meticulously redrawn every scene. The 2D graphics are completely revitalized, shedding the pixelated look of the original while retaining the iconic art style and supporting modern resolutions. It’s a significant leap forward from Grim Fandango Remastered.

The user interface has also been redesigned. Gone is the cumbersome menu occupying the bottom third of the screen. Right-clicking on objects displays interaction options, and the inventory is easily accessible with a single button press. Purists can still switch to the original 1993 version with a keystroke.

Day of the Tentacle Remastered – Redesigned Graphics

While the voice acting is superb, the music is somewhat forgettable. Minor typos appear in the developer commentary subtitles, and occasional technical glitches cause the subtitles to lag behind the dialogue.

Day of the Tentacle Remastered – In-Game Screenshot

Despite these minor flaws, Day of the Tentacle Remastered is a testament to the enduring appeal of classic adventure games. Its revitalized visuals, streamlined interface, and timeless humor make it a must-play for both longtime fans and newcomers alike.