LucasArts' Monkey Island adventure game series has been missed of late. It has been too long since we've visited the anachronistic Tri-Island area in a Monkey game stuffed with vivid characters, zany plot twists, and liberal use of awful and awfully funny puns. Thank goodness that the clumsy, bumbling, and utterly charming pirate hero Guybrush Threepwood returns in Escape from Monkey Island. Luckily for him so does his bride, Elaine Marley Threepwood; unluckily, it looks like the stubborn ghost pirate LeChuck may be back as well. Or is he? We'd tell you but that would give away too much of the vibrant and hilarious story line. This is adventure gaming at its very best: sharp graphics, excellent voice acting and writing, and solid puzzles throughout. LucasArts even included a walk-through that'll get any new players into the right mindset to solve the bizarre, convoluted, and convulsively funny pun-ridden puzzles in the game. But players who rely on it are missing out. Sometimes it's much funnier to do things the wrong way, because the sharp-minded developers probably already thought of it and are ready to reward you with a humorous comment or action. Completely hilarious, drop-dead gorgeous, and always innovative LucasArts proves once and for all there is ample life left in the adventure genre. --Andrew S. Bub Pros: Excellent voice acting and writing Very funny Challenging for players of all skill levels Cons: The controls could be a little more streamlined