Return to Monkey Island

Deep in the Caribbean, there's a three-headed monkey

- IAN EVENDEN

SPOILER ALERT! The ending of 1991’s Monkey Island 2 was somewhat controversial, as we’re sure you recall. Protagonist Guybrush Threepwood, mighty pirate and master of insult sword fighting, and his nemesis the ghost pirate LeChuck were revealed to be brothers playing in the maintenance area of an amusement park, told to clear out by a workman and running out to meet their parents. The whale thing had been in their imagination all along.

This reveal didn’t stop the Monkey Island series from expanding to five games, though creator Ron Gilbert ceased being involved after the first two, but did leave a convenient jumping-off point for another sequel. Return to Monkey Island is that game and Gilbert is back at the helm. It begins with young Guybrush and Chuckie exploring the park, running races and sword fighting, before running into their father, somehow an adult Guybrush Threepwood, who tells a tale of piratical adventures. And now you’re up to date.

With the 30-year time jump comes a new art style, plenty of Star Wars references (the rights to Monkey Island are owned by Disney), and the same old starting location, Lookout Point on Melee Island. This turns out to be a statement of intent, as Return covers plenty of old ground, updating the locations with a wink to the camera—having destroyed the fourth wall back in the first game—and some respectful wallowing in nostalgia. Dial-a-Pirate copy protection may be a thing of the past, but pirate-themed point ’n’ clicks definitely aren’t, and you can still ask a pirate about Loom.