Grim Fandango is a vibrant blend of film noir, art deco, and the Mexican Day of the Dead. This unique combination reflects the creative freedom director Tim Schafer enjoyed, partly due to the success of his previous project, Full Throttle. That game’s commercial viability prompted LucasArts to support Schafer’s imaginative pursuits, similar to those seen in prominent point-and-click titles like Day of the Tentacle.

This time, however, Schafer aimed to incorporate advancements in 3D graphics, notably influenced by a game called BioForge, which featured polygonal characters against static, pre-rendered backgrounds. Schafer believed this approach would suit a modern adventure game well.

Such aspirations required a departure from the traditional point-and-click mechanics of older LucasArts adventures, which utilized a cursor and a verb menu. In Grim Fandango, players control the suave skeletal main character, Manny Calavera, using a keyboard with tank controls akin to those found in Tomb Raider games.

Bare Bones

Schafer cites both BioForge and Alone in the Dark as inspirations for the game’s design. He recalls being struck by the cinematic quality of gameplay: “Playing it, I was like: games are about to get a lot more cinematic.” Tank controls, which allow navigation through varied camera angles by simply moving forward, were deemed favorable at the time, despite their later decline in popularity.

As players navigate the game’s colorful, 1950s art deco-inspired environments, they will notice Manny subtly tilting his head to observe items of interest. This feature was enabled by the GrimE engine, designed specifically for this game and a departure from the SCUMM framework used in earlier LucasArts titles. The GrimE engine was also utilized later in Escape From Monkey Island, the fourth installment of the beloved pirate series.

A World of Freedom

Throughout the four chapters, each taking place one year apart during the Day of the Dead, players encounter a variety of complex puzzles that are presented in a tactile manner, differing from earlier LucasArts titles that relied heavily on inventory management. Schafer noted that this simplification was an evolution driven by feedback from previous titles.

He explained that certain puzzles emerged organically from the game’s 3D environment, mentioning the thrill of operating vehicles like forklifts, which would not have been as easy to implement in a 2D space.

As players traverse the intriguing streets of Rubacava, complete with a lively casino atmosphere, the game’s pacing alternates between expansive hubs and more confined environments, contributing to its dynamic narrative structure. The variety of puzzle types and spatial design enhances the experience, keeping gameplay fresh.

Grim Sounds

A vital aspect of the game’s charm is its award-winning soundtrack, composed by Peter McConnell, which blends a variety of musical styles, including mariachi and jazz, to enhance the overall atmosphere. The soundtrack was later re-recorded with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra during the 2015 remaster, elevating the audio experience even further. This remaster has been recognized as one of the best soundtracks in PC gaming history.

Upon its release in 1998, Grim Fandango received critical acclaim and numerous Game of the Year awards. However, as the gaming landscape shifted with the onset of the new millennium, LucasArts moved away from adventure games in favor of action titles centered around popular franchises, such as Star Wars.

After leaving LucasArts, Schafer founded Double Fine Productions, eventually revitalizing Grim Fandango by acquiring the intellectual property from Disney, the parent company of Lucasfilm. The remastered version, released in 2015, brought the beloved title to modern platforms with the option to switch back to its original graphics, allowing both new and returning players to experience the classic.

Schafer, despite his many successful projects, holds a special fondness for Grim Fandango. He reminisces, “Beyond me, there was a collection of some of the most talented people I’ve ever worked with,” highlighting the collaborative nature of its development, which resulted in a truly unique gaming experience.

Read our Grim Fandango Remastered review for more on the cult classic action-adventure.