A Point-And-Click Pirate Adventure
Thrust into the role of pirate Guybrush Threepwood; players will take to the high seas and explore various islands in Return to Monkey Island. A sequel to the 1991 game Monkey Island 2: LeChuck’s Revenge, this point-and-click adventure title promises to entertain you with challenging puzzles and witty dialogue. Years have passed since his last battle of wits against his nemesis, the zombie pirate LeChuck. Feeling adrift, Guybrush decides to journey back to Monkey Island to uncover its secret once and for all.
Fans of the original Monkey Island games will recognize various characters such as Stan, the salesman and Guybrush’s true love, Eliane. Featuring the same wit and charm as its predecessors, this title will surely make long-time fans gush over with nostalgia. However, that’s not to say the dev team hasn’t improved. For instance, this new installment features a brand-new art style. Where the old games had a more realistic hand-drawn art style, Return to Monkey Island features a more stylized aesthetic that really fits with the game’s mood.
For Casual and Hardcore Point-and-Click Adventure Fans
Return to Monkey Island welcomes long-time point-and-click adventure players and those new to the genre by offering multiple difficulty modes. While it’s common for RPGs and action titles to offer various difficulty modes, it is less common in puzzle games. The addition of the simple feature makes the game more widely accessible. It also keeps players from growing frustrated trying in vain to solve puzzles that are too challenging. Additionally, in your inventory, you’ll find a hint book. A nice added touch, the hint book starts by giving vague hints that grow more specific each time you ask for another hint for the same puzzle. This allows players to gain just the right amount of help.
Gameplay is relatively simple, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t offer a challenge. Even in casual mode, the game’s puzzles provide a fun challenge. Each puzzle is unique and humorous, from breaking a friend out of prison on Brrr Muda Island to helping LeChuck’s pirate cook get a promotion. My only qualm is that sometimes you need to travel back and forth between the same locations quite a bit. However, a little backtracking is expected in point-and-click adventure titles.
The Story of Return to Monkey Island
When the game begins, you play as Guybrush’s son exploring the town with his friends. As a young boy, you will trick a Scurvy dog salesman into giving you two scurvy dogs, feed some ducks and make a wish at a wishing well. This short sequence serves as a tutorial, familiarizing players with the game’s mechanics and controls.
Soon, however, you find your father, who sits you down to tell you how he found the secret of Monkey Island. Your perspective then switches to that of a younger Guybrush who plans to journey back to Monkey Island to finally learn its secret. However, Guybrush is unable to secure funding for his expedition. You’ll need to complete some wacky quests to help him infiltrate LeChuck’s crew and find the secret of Monkey Island.
The game’s story grows more engaging the further you progress. Eventually, you’ll be able to explore various Islands and even a shipwreck or two. These new locations are enticing and accessing them for the first time can be thrilling.
Return to Monkey Island does the previous games in the franchise justice. With a compelling plot full of humorous one-liners and sword fights that focus more on banter than combat, the game stays true to the original Monkey Island games. A thrilling, silly and downright entertaining pirate adventure awaits. So snag this precious pirate booty and point and click your way to glory.
