Thankfully, The Curse of Monkey Island's technical superiority to its two predecessors doesn't come at the expense of a delightful and hilarious story line--it's 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 … mehrhimself--and the player along with him--again battling wits with the nefarious (and very dead) pirate, LeChuck. Utilising 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 excellent animated graphics, is suitable for all ages, though the tricky puzzle solutions may be a tad obscure for younger gamers. --Doug Radcliffe weniger