Return to Monkey Island

Guybrush Threepwood is back. More specifically, back to the island. One of the unquestionably best graphic adventure sagas will be continued this year with Return to Monkey Island, and the best thing is that it will be that dreamed of and apparently impossible third legitimate installment: Ron Gilbert returns to the helm of his delirious universe of pirates, voodoo and grog.

And it is that the relaunch of Lucasfilm Games opened the pandora's box and the truth is that Gilbert was more than willing to pick up the story where he left off. He had been fantasizing for years about giving continuity to the saga and all he needed was Disney's approval and a publisher that would allow him to do whatever he wanted creatively. What better partner in this new mischief than Devolver Digital? So, let’s talk about the miraculous comeback of one of the most beloved franchises and biggest cult game out there.

About the game

Along with Ron Gilbert, the team in charge of the game's story includes Dave Grossman. The screenwriter and programmer was also involved in the first two Monkey Island games and also took part in the creation of Telltale's Tales of Monkey Island (2009).

Regarding the story of the new game, we know that it takes place after the events of LeChuck's Revenge. Among the settings of Return to Monkey Island are both Mêlée Island and the legendary Monkey Island.

We also know that the games following Gilbert's last Monkey Island will remain canon, as evidenced by the appearance of the talking skull Murray in the teaser teaser.

Many of the original characters will also return: of course it is very unlikely that the protagonist Guybrush Threepwood will be missing, but neither will the ghost pirate LeChuck, Governor Marley, Murray or the tireless salesman Stan.

To say that Return to Monkey Island is a graphic adventure is quite illustrative: Gilbert and Grossman have spent two years filling puzzles, challenges and delirious dialogues in environments based on the golden age of piracy with strong touches of surreal humor and fantasy.

A little controversial

The graphic section has opted for a much more abstract approach than that of previous games. And beyond the natural evolution that allows the saga to separate from the pixel art that had characterized it, we are also facing an absolute change in the artistic direction. This has divided the fans of the saga who feel it as a harsh abandonment of the real characters.

Should Ron Gilbert have made a Guybrush faithful to the character of the original games and up to the expectations of the fans? The answer is: probably yes. He is under no obligation to do so, but to ask less of him is simply being conformist. You can say a lot about Gilbert, but not that he is a conformist. Another very different thing is if he had to follow the aesthetics of the first games or give continuity to the evolutionary line of the most recent ones.

Review: 9/10

Even though it may not be the same style we are used to see in the Monkey Island franchise, this game is still a masterpiece. Even though this game looks like something coming out of a flash animated show in Cartoon Network or Guacamelee!

Pros:

• Great voice acting
• Consistent story
• Lots of jokes and references to the original games
• Good music

Cons:

• Animations could be better
• The art doesn't fit the franchise
• The inventory system is a bit confusing