Overview
Everyone dies. Not everyone gets a good travel package. Manny Calavera works in the Land of the Dead, selling premium afterlife journeys to souls who earned them—except someone’s stealing his best clients. Tim Schafer’s magnum opus blended Mexican folklore, art deco design, and hardboiled detective fiction into gaming’s most stylish adventure.
Fast facts
- Developer: LucasArts.
- Director: Tim Schafer.
- Setting: Land of the Dead.
- Engine: GrimE (3D).
Visual style
| Influence |
Implementation |
| Día de los Muertos |
Calaca characters |
| Art deco |
Architecture, design |
| Film noir |
Lighting, composition |
| 1930s Hollywood |
Costume, setting |
Manny’s journey
| Year |
Location |
| Year 1 |
El Marrow (starting city) |
| Year 2 |
Rubacava (port city) |
| Year 3 |
Sea voyage |
| Year 4 |
Edge of the world |
Characters
| Character |
Role |
| Manny Calavera |
Protagonist |
| Meche |
Love interest |
| Glottis |
Demon driver |
| Domino |
Rival |
| Hector LeMans |
Villain |
Writing achievement
| Element |
Quality |
| Dialogue |
Quotable throughout |
| Story structure |
Four-year epic |
| Character arcs |
Genuine development |
| Themes |
Death, redemption |
3D transition challenges
| Issue |
Reception |
| Tank controls |
Criticised |
| Camera angles |
Fixed, cinematic |
| Puzzle integration |
3D complexity |
Critical reception
| Recognition |
Status |
| Acclaim |
Universal praise |
| Sales |
Disappointing |
| Legacy |
Cult classic |
| Remaster |
2015 |
See also