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Remembering Day of the Tentacle

That video above is a 20 minute speed run of one of the most boggling adventure games I’ve played.

The main reason Day of the Tentacle sets itself apart so greatly despite sharing a handful of elements with its predecessor is the fact that it draws from completely different inspirations. With Maniac Mansion, Ron Gilbert and Gary Winnick sought to tribute the horror/scifi B-movie genre. With Day of the Tentacle, that influence was replaced by the work of Chuck Jones. If Maniac Mansion is like playing through a cheesy horror movie, Day of the Tentacle is like playing through a Saturday morning cartoon, and everything from the brand of humor to the puzzle design reflects this. Knowledge of the previous game is not assumed, and there’s definitely a “reboot” feel to the whole project – this game is in a completely different spirit than the original, sporting a new style and tone. Not that this change was an unwelcome one. In fact, that Day of the Tentacle is very much Maniac Mansion’s equal in terms of quality is probably the mildest praise one will see bestowed on the game, which tends to be considered among the best ever produced.

If you’re old enough to remember Laverne, Hoagy and Bernard from Maniac Mansion 2 or Day of the Tentacle, you’ll really appreciate this 20 minute speed run. I was banging my head just trying to figure this game out back in 1993. These were the days when nobody heard of game FAQS. I remember wasting hours on the phone with friends as we cracked our heads to figure Day of the Tentacle 2 out. In retrospect, here is a great article that talked about one of the best adventure / puzzle games ever made.

By Jayvee Fernandez

Jayvee Fernandez is a tech enthusiast and sitting Techbology Editor for The Philippine STAR.

He is also an EAN certified SCUBA Diver and underwater photographer based in Metro Manila, Philippines. His photos and videos have appeared in various international and local publications including Random House Germany, Discovery Channel Canada, and CNN.

8 replies on “Remembering Day of the Tentacle”

Day of the Tentacle!! This was one crazy game. You’d really need to think out of the box to win this one. Good stuff.

Having said that, i have more fond memories of Monkey Island 2. 🙂

Leo

OMG! Before Monkey Island, The Grim Fandango, King’s Quest and Loom, there was…. Day of the Tentacle!!

Naalala ko pa if you leave the character idle for so long they start humming “Humm Dee Dum… Ho Hummm…”

one of the best games EVER. but for some reason, i only know a handful of people who are familiar with it. i remember playing it for days back then. haha. one of them good ol’ PC games.

another game i miss: lemmings.

I loved this game! 😛 Ofcourse I finished it… but then I had a walkthru, mwahaha! 🙂

I remember the part when u have to drain the pool and go to the secret basement… or something 😛

I kind of miss those kinds of game… along with Quest for Glory 😛 Oh, and Leisure Suit Larry, HAHAH!!! 😀 I know, it’s R-18, but the interactivity and puzzles were always fun 😛

DANG!!! I miss the good ol’ days. Day of the Tentacle, the Monkey Island series, Sam & Max.. the list goes on. Good times…

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