Schafer, T., LucasArts. (1998). Grim Fandango [Video game]. LucasArts Entertainment Company.

Grim Fandango, released in 1998 by LucasArts, is a critically acclaimed graphic adventure game set in the Land of the Dead, inspired by Mexican folklore and film noir. The story follows Manny Calavera, a travel agent in the Department of Death, as he uncovers a corruption scheme that prevents souls from receiving their rightful passage to the afterlife. The game blends a richly woven narrative with memorable characters, including Manny's loyal companion, Glottis, and the mysterious femme fatale, Meche.

Gameplay revolves around exploration, puzzle-solving, and dialogue interaction. Players control Manny in a third-person perspective, navigating pre-rendered 3D environments with a tank-control scheme that uses the keyboard or gamepad. Unlike traditional point-and-click games of its era, Grim Fandango eschews an on-screen cursor, instead relying on Manny's gaze to indicate objects of interest. Puzzles are integrated seamlessly into the world, requiring logic and environmental awareness, and often involve obtaining and using items creatively to advance the plot.

The visual and thematic design of Grim Fandango stands out, featuring a unique aesthetic that combines Art Deco, film noir, and Day of the Dead motifs. The characters are stylized as skeletal calacas, and the world is filled with striking, atmospheric locations. The game also includes a critically praised jazz-inspired score that enhances its mood and narrative depth.

Though it received widespread acclaim for its storytelling, humor, and visual design, Grim Fandango struggled commercially upon release due to waning interest in adventure games at the time. However, its reputation grew over the years, culminating in a remastered version in 2015 that introduced updated graphics, voice acting enhancements, and modern control schemes, bringing the game to a new generation of players.