Conquering the Underworld-A Grim Fandango Walkthrough

Delve into the quirky and captivating world of Grim Fandango, a classic point-and-click adventure game from LucasArts. This beloved title follows Manny Calavera, a travel agent for the recently deceased in the Land of the Dead. Help Manny navigate the bureaucratic purgatory and secure passage for his clients on the coveted Number Nine train, their ticket to eternal rest.

This walkthrough will guide you through the four in-game years, tackling puzzles, uncovering secrets, and ensuring Manny fulfills his duties (or bends the rules a bit). Whether you’re a seasoned adventurer or a newcomer to Grim Fandango, this guide will equip you to conquer the underworld.

Important Note: While this walkthrough aims to be informative, it avoids major spoilers to preserve the surprise and delight of the game’s narrative.

Getting Started: Year One

1. The Department of Dead Processing: You begin as Manny Calavera in his dingy office. Grab the message from the pneumatic tube and the deck of cards. Head downstairs and meet your curmudgeon boss, Don Copal. Talk to him about everything, then head to the elevators and take the left one down to the Pits.
   
2. The Pits: Here you’ll encounter the bureaucratic nightmare of the Dead Processing Department. Chat with the bonehead clerk, Celso, and show him the message you received. He’ll hand you a photo. Descend further into the Pits through the fog, encountering the grumpy ferryman, Velasco. Show him the photo, and he’ll give you a log. Return to Celso with the log to officially begin your first case.
   
3. A Sticky Situation: Your client, Mercedes “Meche” Colomar, seems to be in trouble. Head back to your office and use the bone phone on your desk to call Meche’s friend, Domino. He’ll mention needing a “carrier pigeon.”
   
4. Pigeon Post: Exit your office and head to the travel agency next door. Talk to the flamboyant travel agent, Nina, and ask her about pigeons. She’ll direct you to the nearby bar, El Marrow.
   
5. El Marrow: Inside the smoky bar, chat with the bartender, Manny “Manny Two-Fingers” Calavera (yes, that’s right!). Ask him about pigeons, and he’ll offer a solution – you can “borrow” one from his fighting pigeons if you can fix a broken music box.
   
6. The Music Box: Return to Nina’s travel agency and ask her about the music box. She’ll mention needing a spring. Head back to El Marrow and talk to Manny Two-Fingers again. He’ll ask you to retrieve his lucky lighter from his pigeon coop for the spring.
   
7. Pigeon Peril: Exit El Marrow and head to the alleyway behind it. Use the key you received from Celso to open the gate. Carefully navigate the rickety platforms and ladders to reach the pigeon coop. Here, you’ll encounter a series of challenges:
   
   • Flaming Beaver: Grab a bone from the bridge and toss it into the tar pit. Use the fire extinguisher to put out the flaming beaver (rest in peace, little guy).
     
   • Cat Burglar: A sneaky feline will try to steal your lighter. Use the bone you picked up earlier to distract the cat and retrieve the lighter.
     
8. Fixing the Music Box: Return to Nina with the lighter. She’ll fix the music box, which you can then take back to Manny Two-Fingers.
   
9. Pigeon Takeoff: With the music box fixed, Manny Two-Fingers will give you a carrier pigeon. Take it back to Domino at Meche’s apartment building.
   
10. Meche’s Mystery: Domino reveals Meche has been poisoned! He suspects a rival travel agent, Chet, is behind it. Investigate Meche’s apartment by examining everything you can. You’ll find a half-eaten candy heart and a mysterious note.
    

Year One – The End: With these clues in hand, you’ve completed the initial investigation. The next steps will involve unravelling the mystery of Meche’s poisoning and finding a way to secure her passage on Number Nine.

Setting Sail for Adventure (Year Two)

Year Two throws you headfirst into the open seas. Now a Fleet Foreman, Manny captains a ramshackle ferry across the River Styx. Your objective: reach the Isle of Muertos and find Mercedes.

Here’s what awaits you on the high (and somewhat murky) seas:

• The Lubber’s Delight: Your ferry is in a sorry state, and Manny needs to whip his crew of skeletal buccaneers into shape. This involves a series of mini-games that test your reflexes and puzzle-solving skills.
• The Code of the Cobwebs: To navigate the treacherous Straits of Dementia, you’ll need to decipher a cryptic code etched on a cobweb-covered skull. This puzzle requires careful observation and some lateral thinking.
• Muertos Ahoy!: Finally arriving at the Isle of Muertos, you’ll encounter puzzles that play on the island’s Mayan theme. You’ll need to use your inventory items and manipulate the environment to progress.

Year Two throws some curveballs your way, but with a bit of perseverance and creative thinking, you’ll find yourself one step closer to reuniting Mercedes with her rightful Number Nine ticket.

FAQs

Q: Is there a remastered version of Grim Fandango?

• A: Yes! Grim Fandango Remastered was released in 2015 for PC, PS4, Vita, and Mac. It features updated visuals, controls, and retains the charm of the original.

Q: What’s the gameplay like in Grim Fandango?

• A: Grim Fandango is a point-and-click adventure game. You control Manny Calavera, navigating environments, interacting with objects and characters, and solving puzzles to progress the story.

Q: Are there any difficulty settings?

• A: No, Grim Fandango doesn’t have difficulty settings. However, some puzzles can be tricky. There are many online resources and walkthroughs available to help if you get stuck.

Q: What are the first things I should do in Grim Fango?

• A: In your office at the Department of Death, pick up the message from the pneumatic tube and the deck of cards. Talk to Eva at the front desk, then head down to the elevators and take the left one to the parking lot. Use the key you received to unlock the travel agency car and begin your journey to Rubacava.

Q: I’m stuck in the first part with Celso in the diner. What do I do?

• A: Talk to Celso and exhaust all dialogue options. He’ll give you a photograph. Head downstairs and enter the fog. You’ll encounter a fall and be rescued by Velasco. Talk to him and show him the photo. He’ll provide a log you need to return to Celso to progress to year two.

Q: I can’t figure out how to put out the flaming beaver!

• A: This is a classic Grim Fandango puzzle. First, grab a bone from the bridge near the large gate. Toss the bone into the tar pit where the beaver is. Then, use the fire extinguisher you received earlier and aim it at the spot where the bone sank to extinguish the flames.

Q: Are there any hints available for the game’s puzzles?

• A: The remastered version offers a hint system that provides subtle clues if you get stuck on a puzzle for too long. Alternatively, many online resources and walkthroughs offer detailed explanations for puzzles throughout the game.

Q: I’m at a specific part of the game and can’t seem to progress. Is there a walkthrough available?

• A: There are several comprehensive Grim Fandango walkthroughs available online, including resources on IGN [IGN Grim Fandango Walkthrough] and walkthrough specific sites like Grim Fandango Network [Grim Fandango Network Walkthrough].

Q: Should I explore everything or focus on the main story?

• A: Grim Fandango is filled with rich lore and quirky characters. Take your time to explore the environments, chat with characters, and discover the world. You might find helpful items or hints for puzzles along the way.

Q: Is there anything missable in the game?

• A: While the main story progresses regardless, there are some optional dialogues and items you can miss by rushing through. Take your time and enjoy the world to experience everything Grim Fandango offers.

By following these tips and utilizing the available resources, you’ll be well on your way to navigating the underworld and helping Manny Calavera on his journey. Remember, dead doesn’t mean boring, and Grim Fandango offers a delightful adventure filled with humor and puzzles.

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