“Day of the Tentacle” is the sequel to “Manic Mansion” a LucasArts series I missed when it came out in 1993. Now that “Day of the Tentacle: Remastered” is out on PS4, it’s my chance to experience this critically acclaimed classic adventure game.

“Day of the Tentacle: Remastered” is exactly what a remastered game should be. It has the same story elements with beautifully recreated graphics and updated controls. The sound is improved with remastered effects and voices. From what I read about the original, the new console controls are easier because you can use the analog stick to hover over items to see them instead of typing text instructions. The controls and graphics can be reverted back to match the original if you want a blast from the past experience.

From the beginning, the game had me chuckling due to its funny concept and hilarious dialogue. The story is silly. A tentacle in a lab accidently eats some gunk which makes him grow and become sentient, he then wants to conquer the human race. Now a group of kids must travel through time via time-traveling porta-potties called “Chron-O-Johns.” These devices break and the kids get stuck in different time periods setting up amusing situations. Even though there is slap-stick comedy, most of the levels are about finding things you can use to re start your machine. Each of the characters get stuck in different times so it becomes a puzzle to rescue each one because you have to find items and flush them down the time toilets so your friends can use the items. It’s absurd, but it’s a pretty clever use of items and it’s always funny.

I enjoyed many of the puzzles. Most were logical but there were a few brain teasers. I got stumped on a few puzzles but thanks to listening to the dialogue and little visual hints I wasn’t racking my brain too long.

There is new content to find such as art and commentary. You can earn this stuff by finishing parts of the game. A fun little Easter egg is a Commodore 64 computer that lets you play the first “Maniac Mansion” game as it was in the ’80s.

I loved “Day of the Tentacle: Remastered.” I never got to experience the original so I don’t have the nostalgia some might have. The dialogue is hilarious and the story and levels are silly. I found myself laughing the whole way through and I am glad the controls and stiff elements I read about the original are no longer in place. If you are a fan of adventure games you have to play “Day of the Tentacle: Remastered” it is a great way to play one of the best games of the genre in a new way.

System: PS4, PC

ESRB Rating: T for Teen: Fantasy Violence, Suggestive Themes, Use of Tobacco

Developer: Double Fine Productions

Robbie Vanderveken is the digital operations specialist at The Times Leader. E-mail him at rvanderveken@timesleader.com.

By Robbie Vanderveken

For Weekender

“Day of the Tentacle: Remastered” is a challenging puzzle game that focuses on different moments in history.
http://www.theweekender.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/web1_game1.jpg.optimal.jpg“Day of the Tentacle: Remastered” is a challenging puzzle game that focuses on different moments in history.

“Day of the Tentacle: Remastered” is a challenging puzzle game that focuses on different moments in history.
http://www.theweekender.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/web1_game2.jpg.optimal.jpg“Day of the Tentacle: Remastered” is a challenging puzzle game that focuses on different moments in history.