In the annals of computer adventure gaming, LucasArts' epic The Secret of Monkey Island remains as engrossing today--despite its obviously dated visuals and sound effects--as when it was first released. With its timeless story line and humor, The Secret of Monkey Island shaped adventure games for many years to come. To the relief of long-time fans, LucasArts finally released the third game in the trilogy: The Curse of Monkey Island. Thankfully, its technical superiority to its predecessors doesn't come at the expense of a delightful and hilarious story line--The Curse of Monkey Island is every bit as good as its prequels. Players once again assume the role of Guybrush Threepwood, an aspiring pirate who lacks the coordination and muscle tone to succeed as a swashbuckler. After unknowingly slipping a cursed diamond ring on the finger of his long-time love, Elaine Marley, Guybrush finds himself--and the player along with him--again battling wits with the nefarious (and very dead) pirate, LeChuck. Utilizing a simple point-and-click interface, players guide Guybrush through hundreds of beautifully rendered scenes, meeting unique characters, collecting dozens of objects, and solving puzzles. Interacting with the eccentric inhabitants of LucasArt's comic Caribbean is one of the adventure's highlights; the excellent writing and dialogue make each new encounter even better than the last. The Curse of Monkey Island, with its Saturday-morning-like animated graphics, is suitable for all ages, though the tricky puzzle solutions may be a tad obscure for younger gamers. --Doug Radcliffe Pros: Delightful story line and excellent dialogue Colorful, animated graphics Simple, easy-to-use interface Suitable for all ages Cons: Some puzzles may be a bit obscure