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Review of Leisure Suit Larry: Magna Cum Laude on PlayStation 2

by Tanya Krane Tanya Krane photo Oct 2004
Cover image of Leisure Suit Larry: Magna Cum Laude on PS2
Gamefings Score: 6.0
Platform: PS2 PS2 logo
Released: 05 Oct 2004
Genre: Adventure
Developer: High Voltage Software
Publisher: Vivendi Universal Games

Introduction

Welcome to the far-too-horny campus of Walnut Log Community College, where the search for love is only rivaled by the quest for the most questionable decisions in video game history. Enter Larry Lovage, the nephew of the legendary Larry Laffer, who's a bit like a discount version of a romantic hero - more of a clearance sale, really. With a premise that's as racy as a '70s sitcom and enough cringe-worthy moments to make your grandma blush, 'Leisure Suit Larry: Magna Cum Laude' is here to test the limits of your sense of humor. Buckle up for a journey filled with minigames, a backpack full of dubious dating advice, and all the profanity of a frat party!

Gameplay

The gameplay in 'Magna Cum Laude' is structured around an open-world experience, allowing you to wander the campus without a care, which just screams 'responsible adult', doesn't it? You'll be tasked with striking poses, showering undeserving girls with your arguably questionable charm, and taking pictures for your creepy collector friends. Although this may sound like the most riveting gameplay ever, don't let that fool you. The minigames act as both the salt and the sword of this experience. Win 'affection tokens' to impress the ladies by participating in activities like 'rubbing lotion on lifeguards' or 'not accidentally spilling your drink on someone's lap'. Yes, apparently, pulling off basic social interactions is the equivalent of advanced calculus in this game! Additionally, there's a sprinkling of hidden collectibles throughout the school and you can even sell your actions shots because apparently, there's a market for that. Who knew the photography industry was thriving on nude selfies? Seriously though, winning minigames increases your confidence and the ladies' affection, which can come in handy as romantic endeavors in 'Leisure Suit Larry' totally tend to go as planned. Spoiler: they absolutely do not.

Graphics

Visually, 'Leisure Suit Larry: Magna Cum Laude' isn't exactly winning any awards. The character models look like they wandered in from a budget PS1 game after experiencing some sort of bizarre genetic mutation. It feels like an awkward teenage phase that the game never quite outgrew. On the bright side, the colors are bright enough that they could make a traffic light jealous! Background textures seem to carry the weight of artistic inspiration from the early 2000s - think Hypercolor tees but for video games. While the animation could have used some more polish, the ridiculous slapstick wisdom imparted by Uncle Larry more than makes up for any graphics shortcomings. Wait, did I just write that? You know those moments when your brain and your heart are in a heated debate? Yes, it's happening right now.

Conclusion

In review, 'Leisure Suit Larry: Magna Cum Laude' tries so hard to capture the essence of its predecessors with charm and cheeky humor, but it ends up feeling akin to a that uncle who tries to impress with awkward stories from college - much enthusiasm but lacking in skill. However, if you've ever wanted to take a nostalgic trip back to college, complete with the embarrassing mishaps and outrageous moments, or if you just want to see how not to flirt, this game may just fill that void. Overall, it's a mixed bag - with moments of laughter balanced by the occasional cringe, this glorious dumpster fire of a game is best approached with an open mind and a strong sense of humor. In the end, if you can get past its shortcomings, 'Leisure Suit Larry: Magna Cum Laude' offers up a unique, albeit strange, gaming experience that's worth a few hours of your time - as long as you promise to keep the lawyers away from your uncut version!

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