No this ISN'T April Fools! Yesterday (April 4th) Ron Gilbert announced that he's been working secretly on the sequel to his 1991 point and click classic Monkey Island 2: LeChuck's Revenge, complete with teaser trailer, Return To Monkey Island. I recorded a quick reaction and round up video so first watch this, then read on.
Return to Monkey Island is the game we (well, me and many others) have been asking for but, honestly, never thought we'd get. After Ron left Lucasarts, the door was left open for others to continue the Monkey Island franchise and so 3 more games were made. In 1997 The Curse of Monkey Island went in a different direction graphically, but still held the wit, puzzles and sense of wonder we had as kids. Then came 2000's Escape from Monkey Island, where some feel the ball was dropped. The shift to 3D cited as the most controversial thing to do. I feel this game is actually OK, and it's more the poor use of LeChuck, the introduction of a sourpuss baddie in Ozzie Mandrill, but mostly unforgivable is turning Elaine American (plus the whole Herman story thing). It fell flat so it was a breathe of fresh air when Telltale brought the series to an 'end' with Tales of Monkey Island, an episodic 3D adventure, with more charm and warmth than Escape. BUT, it wasn't the end.
So here is what we know so far, and some questions that are being asked.
First, this is set after LeChuck's Revenge. It's Ron's third of his trilogy. So does this retcon Curse, Escape and Tales? Well, thanks to a tweet from Ron, Curse seems to be safe.
So Murray is not only in the trailer, he IS in the game. So great news for those who loved Curse! Next question then. If curse is still good, where does the game fall time-wise? Is it before curse or after? If it's before, then the intro to Curse doesn't make sense, unless the end of Return to Monkey Island also ends in a fairground. If it's after, then will we see a load of other Curse family too? Or maybe it'd go all Spiderverse and include various parts throughout. Time Travel anyone? Seems a bit of a stretch. The description of the trailer from Devolver Digital states "the long-awaited follow-up to the legendary Secret of Monkey Island and Monkey Island 2: LeChuck's Revenge" so that screams direct sequel to me, rather than after Curse.
What about Escape and Tales? These lesser loved games haven't been mentioned in any capacity yet. I hated the Herman revelation in Escape, and the way Guybrush is really leery towards women, it felt like a different guy, but Tales was genuinely fun with good puzzles and some characters that sit high on my Monkey Island list, like Morgan Leflay and Winslow.
But I think I'd give it all up for Ron's vision. Would you?
So, more questions then.
Who owns the rights?
Yes we know the whole "Wouldn't make it unless it was my own" thing. Heck, he even pokes fun at this in the trailer. I guess that fact that it's being made is the important thing, but it's always interesting to know what's changed. Let the theories begin!
Who's making it?
Terrible Toybox, Ron's company, are the one's who are developing it but it does say Lucasfilm Games too. This historic company was brought back to life, rebranded, in January 2021, and instead of using long-time developer EA to create their Star Wars games, they've handed out the license to others to make (hopefully) a more broad spectrum of games, such as Quantic Dream's Star Wars Eclipse, and Bethesda tackling Indiana Jones. Return to Monkey Island is the first game that doesn't include those two massive IP's. But the game is being published by Devolver Digital.
When is it out?
Well, 2022! No one is quite sure when though, but there was a tweet from Dominic Armato AKA Guybrush Threepwood yesterday, of him recording some dialogue so don't expect it in a week.
What's the story?
Who knows? The trailer shows a ghost pirate sitting on the edge of a pier next to a ship, and the website seems to show that same ship docked at none other than Mêlée Island. It's slim pickings.
You can watch the trailer and see the gorgeous Mélée island at www.returntomonkeyisland.com
What are your thoughts on it? Come and join me in the Point & Click Adventurers Facebook and we can discuss all day!
Michael