Long before 3 D shooters and Real Time Strategy games ruled the PC. Sierra was clearly the innovator behind the graphic adventure as their founder Ken Williams practically founded the industry with mystery house, and the successful Kings, Space, and Police Quest series that followed.
In that mix was the very popular series Leisure Suit Larry. Over the course of many games, players took control of the lovable looser as he searched for love in all manner of bizarre situations. With the changes in the game industry and the almost utter abandonment of the graphic adventure genre by publishers, many had thought they had seen the last of Larry especially in light of Lucasarts high profile cancellations of Sam and Max and Full Throttle 2 which were largely seen as a chance to jump start the industry.
Thankfully Vivendi has released Leisure Suit Larry, Magna Cum Laude to ease the long lost suffering of Larryphilles everywhere. The new game is set in and around a college campus and players take on the character of Larry Loveage, the nephew of Larry Laffer from the classic series.
Naturally this Larry is an even bigger lemon than his more famous sibling, and it is up to gamers to help Larry win over the hearts and more importantly bodies of the ladies in the campus and local area.
When it is learned that the hot dating show Swingles is coming to campus, Larry sets out to win a spot on the show and a chance at the babes. Sadly Larry has little chance with the shows producer who insists that Larry show her that any woman would give him the time of day in order to get a spot on the show.
Undaunted, Larry sets off to win tokens of affection in order to secure his place on the show.
When Larry meets a girl he has to win her over via a series of mini games that for the most part replace the quests and missions of the previous games. Games ranging from navigating a sperm through an obstacle course, passing out objects, synchronized trampoline jumping, playing quarters, and more.
That is not to say that there are not quests in the game as there are they just tend to be much shorter and simpler than in the past.
That being said, this new Larry is very raunchy compared to the previous title as the dialogue and situations rival that in any of the “American Pie” films which in my opinion enhances the game as anything goes and it is great fun to see just how far the game makers are willing to take things.
Players navigate Larry via the mouse and arrow and enter keys making it easy for players to navigate and manipulate Larry’s world. True some of the mini games can be frustrating and some players may have an issue with the pathways that the games missions take, but I enjoyed the way the game allows peruse different paths to the objective.
The graphics in the game are a huge step up from previous titles and it is nice to see the detail paid to the ladies in the game as it will become clear why Larry is so fixated upon them as is the sound quality which gets the laughter and purrs of the ladies perfectly.
Yes, the game may be shallow, crude, and at times frustrating, but it is also one of the funniest titles released in a long time and a worthy entry in the series. My only wish is that series creator Al Lowe was a part of the team. That being said, if you are in the mood for some good laughs, then this game is for you.
Gameplay 4/5
Sound 4/5
Graphics 4/5
Value 4/5
Fun 5/5
4/5
