Return to Monkey Island in the test: More than just fan service?
Despite his more than unusual name (or maybe because of it), Guybrush Threepwood is one of the most famous series heroes ever. The blonde-maned wannabe pirate made his debut in 1990 The Secret of Monkey Island and returned with Telltale Games’ 2009 released episode sequel Tales of Monkey Island back in four more adventures.
Since then there has been radio silence – until now! The sequel is now available for PC and Nintendo Switch Return to Monkey Islanddeveloped by series creators Ron Gilbert personally. We’ve played through Guybrush’s new adventure for you on Switch and revealed why the return to Monkey Island is primarily for fans of the legendary series.
Real sequel instead of tabula rasa
Some series friends may have wished that Ron Gilbert was in Return to Monkey Island implements his vision of the “true Monkey Island 3”. After all, the US developer, which fans of the genre like adventure classics like Maniac Mansion or the one released in 2017 Thimbleweed Park Guybrush invented Threepwood, but was only directly involved in the first two parts.
However, Gilbert has decided differently, because “Return to Monkey Island” is a regular sequel, which understands all of Guybrush’s published adventures so far as part of the series canon. Former governor Elaine Marley has the clumsy pirate wannabe, as from the end of The Curse of Monkey Island known, actually married. And characters introduced after Part 2, such as the talking skull Murray, also celebrate their return in “Return to Monkey Island”.
Nevertheless, the events from later parts of the series only play a minor role overall. Apart from completely new locations such as the ice-cold Caribbean island Brrr Muda (sic!), in “Return to Monkey Island” you will only visit locations that also appear in the first two parts of the series.
Specifically, your journey begins on Booty Island, apparently with the end of which is still controversial among fans Monkey Island 2: LeChuck’s Revenge. In fact, Guybrush’s son and his buddy Chuckie are just reenacting this scene. At the end of the prologue, you meet the real, slightly aged Guybrush, who tells his offspring the story of how he uncovered the secret of Monkey Island, which has never been solved in any part of the series. So you replay the events in flashbacks, so to speak, which begin on Mêlée Island and thus the starting point of the first part.
One reference chases the next
Of course, we don’t want to spoil you unnecessarily and therefore hold back with details about the further course of the story. But this much should still be said: since you don’t have your own ship at the beginning of the game and you can’t find one either, you can’t avoid hiring as a crew member with LeChuck. His punt is initially anchored off Mêlée Island, but you can only get on board if you disguise yourself as someone else.
Along the way, you’ll explore the island and visit a number of well-known locations. The governor’s villa, for example, where Sword Master Carla now resides. Or the port scumm bar, where you’re hoping to meet the “mighty important pirates” from Part 1, replaced by a new, even less helpful trio.
Of course, there is still the Voodoo Lady’s shop, where you have the first opportunity to ask her her name or whether the “closed shop” sign really indicates a final sale or is more like the sales pitch of an oriental carpet shop.
There are also new, changed or no longer existing places. For example, the hut of Guybrush’s ex-crew member Meathook is missing on Mêlée Island, while in the house of Captain Smirk, who introduced Guybrush to the art of insult fencing in part 1, a completely new character now runs a museum.
References to earlier parts of “Monkey Island” abound everywhere. Otis, who plays no role in the plot itself, is back in prison again and believes he is a victim of justice. The museum exhibits the coffin and oar that Guybrush used to get to the Voodoo Lady through the swamp in Part 2, or part of the map that led to the Big Whoop treasure that was also sought in “Monkey Island 2”.
Of course, Guybrush and the museum director, who tells a false story about almost every object, have something to say about it. Except for those who know the series, nobody can do too much with it. These references, and the nostalgia they inspire, are even reflected in many of the puzzles we’ll explore later.
This is great for fans, and sometimes even helpful in solving the problem. If you don’t know the predecessors (closer), you’ll probably shrug your shoulders. This “problem” runs right through the entire game. We don’t mean to say that those who aren’t familiar with the series can’t do anything with “Return to Monkey Island”. However, the allusions, especially to the first two parts, are so central to the gaming experience that a not inconsiderable part of the appeal is lost for series beginners or, in many situations, it does not even open up for them.
In other words: “Monkey Island” immaculate people are more likely to have less fun, especially since even those who know the series won’t be able to ignite every allusion and gag, some of which are quite shallow.
Reference-www.playcentral.de
