55 MONKEY ISLAND 2

Release year 1991 Last position New entry

Richard While it’s not the laugh-riot people sometimes claim, Monkey Island 2 is a blistering reminder that adventure games were once the trendsetters and pioneers of PC gaming. Created by legendary designers at the top of their game, its atmosphere, characters and humor remain the benchmark that designers across the industry still aspire to reach, and the love and care in every pixel show off why. When a simple library-card catalogue can make you laugh harder than many supposed comedies, you know you’re playing something special. It’s also still the game I point to as a demonstration of many comedy writing rules. And in terms of details? It literally took years before I spotted what LeChuck’s hat on the box actually was. A game that can still surprise years later is a game that more than earns its place here.