Leisure Suit Larry: Magna Cum Laude Review

We all know that the adventure genre is going through its low period and a lot of focus is on this title, not only to see if it can cut the mustard and bring a whole new legion of fans to this humourous adventure title but also if the demographic group this is aimed towards â?“ slightly older and more of a â??laddishâ?? attitude - will find this an appealing experience.

Having played most of the Leisure Suit Larry games way back in the golden age of adventure titles, when Sierra Online ruled the roost and Al Lowe was the inspiration being the â??Larry Series, it seems almost sacrilege that a new team was continuing the brand and that it was Larryâ??s nephew, also called Larry, who has taken on the lead role. Thinking about it, was it a wise move as every foible, isocracy and trait of the original Larry was part and parcel of understanding the Larry games and also in many cases succeeding or at the least having some kind of affinity with the very fallible but loveable dude. Larry was more than an onscreen character, he was an icon of the time that gamers not only loved but talked about. Yes, 15 odd years ago, adventure games were dissected and picked around and huge forums discussed the latest antics of Larry - times have moved on.

Everyone knew a Larry, he was a mate of a mate, someone youâ??d heard about and in some cases he mirrored a few of your very own habits.

Thankfully the team responsible for Leisure Suit Larry: Magna Cum Laude, knew and had themselves played the original titles and understood fully that they not only had to please and appease old gamers but needed to bring the game and ethos of Larry right up to date and hook gamers that had not played or even heard of Larry.

Those not au fait with the Larry culture may feel that a game is a game and not too much attention and clinical analyzing should be paid to a series of games that are from bygone days (in the gaming sense) and this offering should be reviewed, played and critically reviewed on its current day merit.

OK, letâ??s give you a basic overview of Larry.

Larry is shorter than your average guy but what he lacks in stature he believes he makes up for in humour and lovability. He is not only the butt of many jokes, although he does not mind, he also believes he is the kind of guy that other guys love to be mates with and is a babe magnet to boot.

If you think Gazza, G8, then you are getting close. He just loves females and he believes it is their right to experience the Larry charm and every female should be allowed to get up close and really see what a real man is about but only if the chap is Larry himself! His attitude is both shocking but current and in his own world everything is done in the best of taste â?“ although others, in fact many, do not see it that way!

If you think risqué then be aware this is more than boobs, butts and bravado.

The mere setting of the game in a college â?“ with wall to wall pheromones â?“ will give you an inkling that it is less to do with learning but more about have a pleasurable time.

Although you are chucked into the college and everything looks very interesting, you think, wow, this is going to be real fun, it is only after 30 mins that you see that it may not appear what you had originally hoped â?“ well in our expectations.

On the presentation side, there are loads of locations set in this college with so much innuendo in both visual and, in some cases, spoken form that although very amusing early on it tends to become tedious after a while. A good joke, even a real corker of a rude one, is best when it is least expected and that isnâ??t the case with Larry and his set of dorm beauties. Seeing a huge well formed lady taking off her bra or slapping some peachy butts does make you smile but that may not be enough for many.

Although on the outside the formulaic design of the game is very much on adventure it only appears to be an incidental part of the game once you delve into it There just ainâ??t enough depth when walking around examining objects, interacting with loads of interesting people and you are always waiting for a clever punch line or fart!

As a sort of adventure game, everything is presented to you and the multiple choice aspects are more to do with what choice is ruder than the other one!?

Larry the game disappoints not so much in the storyline, if you want to be really critical, nor even in the presentation but it does lack real solid gameplay and much of the mundane interaction and general traipsing around is supplemented with a series of dexterity games throughout - guide the sperm, slap the botty, pong, wet tee-shirt. Some of the games are fun, some not, some are easy, some are hard but the end result is that many of them are about bedding a lady or giving good ole Larry a better feel good factor.

With more real gameplay instead of just a fusion of mini-games this could have been a cult hit amongst Larry fans, and those intrigued by the adult overtones!

Anyone who may have seen the current crop of college movies and are keen fans of American Pie then this may well be right up your street and it is a pity it could not have been done around one of the current crop of movies licences.

As you would visualise being at college itâ??s all about conquests, going to strip joints and talking about the latest gadgets, if you get our drift.

Like we said, we can accept the nature of the game, love most of the smutty talk and dialogue, will gladly partake in any embarrassing act and steal from anyone to ensure that Larry can make another conquest but where oh where is the real interaction and interrogation within the game â?“ which is the best part of any â??adventureâ?? game.

The question posed is whether overthetop humour, some rude, lewd and totally outrageous shenanigans offered all wrapped in a tongue in cheek story to match, with literally a surprise around every turn is enough?

Many will find the game puerile, whilst others will find it a breath of fresh air. We are almost certain that there are a large band of â??laddishâ?? fans who will feast on this game, just wanting to explore ever scene looking for the rude bits and chuckling at the farts. If that is what keeps you entertained then great!