Return to Monkey Island Review
Thanks to the folks at Devolver Digital I’ve been taking a look through the Return to Monkey Island over on PC. I’ve spent a fair amount of time with the title, so that I can bring you our regular video review, as well as the Pixel Bandits extended written review and common-sense parent’s guide. As ever you can find both below as we take a look into this return to retro loveliness.
What is Return to Monkey Island About?
It’s been over a decade (I’d definitely say TWO decades, myself) since we had a really legendary Monkey Island title. Return to Monkey Island seeks to bring back the glory days of absurd point and click object puzzles, monkey humour and hijinks on the open seas. With Return to Monkey Island you’ll be thrust into the shoes of the intrepid and mighty pirate, Guybrush Threepwood, whether you like it or not.
Taking control of our plucky young (ish) hero you’ll solve a series of dastardly puzzles and uncover the secret of Monkey Island. The title brings the same point and click heroics, sword fighting, fiendish (and absurd) puzzles and witty banter. Really, it brings back everything I loved from the first three Monkey Island titles.
You’ll need to think outside the box, meet some familiar faces (and voices!) and race the dread pirate LeChuck to uncover the legendary secret. There’s not too much more we can tell you without verging into spoiler territory, but if you know Monkey Island or are a fan of the point and click genre, you should know what you’re getting yourself into.
Common-Sense Parent’s Guide
Rating: Mostly Harmless
Return to Monkey Island is rated by PEGI at 12 and above and by the ESRB at Everybody 10+. This one comes with fantasy violence, alcohol references and some subtle and not-so-subtle innuendos. It’s fine Monkey Island style and it’s one which I don’t mind playing in front of the Micro-Bandits as any surreptitious references are going to fly way over their heads. Overall this one is getting a rating of Mostly Harmless.
Accessibility Rating
Rating: Low Barrier
In terms of accessibility Return to Monkey Island is getting a rating of Low Barrier. There are as usual two difficulty options allowing you to choose whether to go for utterly fiendish or mildly inconveniencing puzzles. In addition to this, holding tab will allow you to spot areas of interest on the screen, and there’s a book full of hints within your inventory if you do get stuck. This title has been brilliant at providing a challenge, while also giving support for those who want it.
The Run down
Visuals – Good: While watching the trailers I thought I was going to hate the new art style, but when you get in game it’s actually very fluid and well crafted. Curse of Monkey Island still takes my vote for favourite visuals, but it’s clear that here in Return there has been a lot of care and work put into them.
Audio – Outstanding: The soundtrack – excellent. The effects and cues – out of this world. The fact that there are a huge number of returning cast members – blows my mind. Great work on the audio front from all involved and this is one that sits open on my desktop just for the music.
Narrative – Outstanding: Another fine showing, but sadly one we can’t really get too far into without the dreaded spoilers. Like all Monkey Island titles Return has a great little narrative flowing through it, even if it can get a little absurd at times.
Replay – Great: I’m not sure how they managed to get little collectables in a Monkey Island title but gorram they’ve managed it. It’s well worth it to play Return on the easier setting and then go back and challenge yourself again, but the trivia scrapbook really does make me want to collect them all, and get them all right.
The Verdict – Is Return to Monkey Island Worth Buying?
Pixel Bandits second biggest monkey head I’ve ever seen Level for Return to Monkey Island is an Outstanding 4/4. I wasn’t a fan of the art style going into this one, but as the humour and story of this new Monkey Island title washes over you, the art actually becomes quite endearing. It’s amazing to have a Monkey Island to play where I don’t know the answer to every single puzzle already and Return really captures the spirit of the original games and delivers an outstanding 21st century point and click adventure.
