With the Arrival of 'Day of the Tentacle Remastered,' Let's Not Forget 'Maniac Mansion'
A great easter egg for everyone.
Yesterday, 'Day of the Tentacle Remastered' hit the PC, Mac, PS4, and Vita, and I am loving pretty much everything about it. Specifically, the visual updates are really impressive, and fit well into the game's overall special style. Just look at these PS4 vs original screenshots:
PS4:
Original (but from the PS4 version via settings):
Likewise, being a classic, funny, and interesting adventure game, the actual gameplay is enjoyable, and at the same time, more forgiving than a lot of other yesteryear adventure game titles.
Of course, this Tim Schafer co-created game is a really a sequel to Ron Gilbert's 'Maniac Mansion.' For both players new to the series and returning fans, this sequel status creates a quandry. What if you want to play 'Maniac Mansion' before, during, or after 'Day of the Tentacle?' Don't bother checking Steam, GOG, or PSN, cause it's not there.
Fortunately, I have good news. Not unlike the 'Day of the Tentacle' releases of yore, this 'Remastered' version features the wonderful easter egg of a fully playable copy of 'Maniac Mansion.' To be clear, the version of 'Maniac Mansion' that is available from within 'Day of the Tentacle Remastered' has not itself been remastered. Nevertheless, after playing quite a bit on the PS4, it's absolutely the version I recommend.
In order to access 'Maniac Mansion' from with 'Day of the Tentacle Remastered' on the PS4, players need only reach this area (which is basically the beginning)-
Walk up the stairs (don't go inside the clock or other doors yet), walk through the door and get on the computer right in front of Ed Edison's desk.
Here's the start screen (it also has a resume selection for accessing a saved game).
And here are some screens from the PS4 'Maniac Mansion' that is within 'Day of the Tentacle.'
Although it's visually quite classic, it's still easy enough to play with the DualShock 4. A few things to note about this version. There is one single save slot that is used via auto save (as oppopsed to the 'Day of the Tentacle Remastered' save system which has both autosave and several manual save slots).
Update: After beating 'Maniac Mansion' from within 'The Day of the Tentacle Remastered' while playing on the PS4 and Vita (with major thanks to this excellent walkthrough), I have some new insights into the save system. Although the game auto-saves regurlarly, it's quite easy, say when trying to sneak by Edna, getting caught and sent to the dungeon, to just press start and exit back to Ed's office. Upon Resume, you should be right there in the room before getting caught. (I must have done this a dozen times easy.) Also, if doing something longer and more complicated like messing with the pool, it's possible to exit the game to Ed's office and then do a manual save in 'The Day of the Tentacle Remastered' in order to have a good fall-back point. Also, though I won't post the screen here, beating this classic gave me a "Thanks for Playing Maniac Mansion" message. That is to say, beating 'Maniac Mansion' from within 'Day of the Tentacle Remastered' is its own reward.
Likewise, 'Maniac Mansion' has some easy mistakes that can hamper a playthrough. Almost right off, there is a panel next to an open vault door that should be avoided as it can end the game. Even worse, not far from there is the paint remover item. If that paint remover item is wasted, then the player might as well start over.
Here's a shot from the Cross Play, Cross Save Vita version:
So there you go. For anyone wishing to play 'Maniac Mansion' as part of the 'Day of the Tentacle Remastered' experience, it's there, available to play almost from the get-go.
