September has been filled with all sorts of announcements, and there have even been new games released like Splatoon 3. To celebrate 'Talk Like A Pirate Day' one other title that's now available on the Nintendo Switch is Return to Monkey Island.
Yes, this the next big entry in the Monkey Island point-and-click adventure series has arrived! It sees the return of Guybrush Threepwood, witty humour and a new art style. The critic reviews are now in, so what's the verdict? Read on to find out!
Note: Many of these reviews are for PC, we'll add some Nintendo Switch reviews in time.
Starting off with IGN, it gave the game 9/10 - summing it up as an "adventure gamer's delight":
"Return to Monkey Island expectedly comes packed full of smartly crafted puzzles, funny dialogue, and memorable characters. But as series creator Ron Gilbert returns to the series’ director’s chair for the first time since 1991, it unexpectedly offers a lot of heart, too. It is an adventure gamer’s delight."
The Gamer gave the PC version 4.5/5 stars, mentioning how it was everything you could want "and more":
"Return to Monkey Island is everything I wanted and more. Daft humour with plenty of dad-worthy gags, puzzles to both frustrate and delight you, lovable throwbacks around every corner, and all while being effortlessly enjoyable. It feels like Monkey Island has fittingly come full circle with this title in many ways, and yet I can’t help but be selfish and want more Guybrush from Gilbert. There’s still room in the scrapbook for more adventures, and if we’re lucky, maybe we won’t have to wait 30 years for the next title."
GameSpot awarded it 9/10, highlighting the "fan service" for returning players:
"Returning players will adore the fan service and familiar sense of warmth that permeates the whole experience, yet it still strives to make itself somewhat approachable for beginners. There's no denying that certain elements will be lost without that decades-old connection, but having a history with the series isn't essential to enjoy Guybrush Threepwood's latest escapade. Return to Monkey Island tells a wholesome and compelling tale of swashbuckling shenanigans that should appeal to anyone seeking a hearty adventure on the high seas."
Ars Technica's reviewer said it was a must-play:
"I began Return to Monkey Island thinking this game would merely be a fun, comforting return to a classic, but I left the island believing that I'd played a refreshing and absolutely necessary game—one that employs interactivity to speak to the human spirit in ways that a film or book never could. I love Return to Monkey Island, and I'm excited for you to learn its secrets, too."
And RockPaperShotgun also loved it, noting how it did a "good" job showcasing the point-and-click genre:
"I do think it's one of the best point and click games to give someone in the year of 2022 to prove that point and click games are good. But I'm also self-aware enough myself to know I wouldn't have loved Return To Monkey Island quite as much if I didn't have a history with the series. But I do. So I did. Yo ho ho, and a bottle of fun."
Will you be adding Return To Monkey Island to your Nintendo Switch collection? Tell us down below.
Comments 51
Good stuff. /10char
I’m so happy the reviews are good, people that have been looking forward to it, have fun!
Just bought it. New Monkey Island releases have ever been special moments on my gaming journey since falling in love with the first one on Sega CD so long ago. Just sitting here listening to the peaceful title music play on and on, and it's like coming home.
Original writer, composers, voice actors (well from Curse on)... I'll be taking my time with this one. Have to savor every moment, it may be a while before we get another one.
Still need to finish Monkey Island 2...
But the internet said that the artstyle ruined the series forever...was the internet...wrong????
This is probably Disney-era Lucasfilm's biggest W since The Mandalorian.
As a long-time fan, I am SOOO happy with this game. They just don't make them like this anymore and I am in point-and-click heaven.
Look behind you! A three headed monkey!
@Ryu_Niiyama The internet like to complain just for the sake of complaining. I betcha most of the ones complaining are the ones that bought the game anyways.
I'm so glad to see this! I can't wait to check it out.
How much wood would a wood-chuck chuck?
@Ryu_Niiyama It's possible to love something and not like every part of it. I am overjoyed at this games release, (LOVE Monkey Island) but I still feel I would enjoy it EVEN MORE if the art style was closer to Curse of Monkey Island than Broken Age
Very excited to get round to this. Just glad there’s still a market for point and click games.
@Grail_Quest You missed the point of my comment in its entirety.
@Ryu_Niiyama Woops! My bad!
Holy cow... I expected favorable reviews but these have basically made this essential.
Very happy for Ron Gilbert & team here...
This game had every opportunity to be nothing more than an unnecessary phone-in past its sell-by date, and I'm thrilled that reviews seem to stipulate very much the opposite!
Hopefully it attains a level of commercial success that brings about a bit of a renaissance for point-and-click/adventure games.... especially those with an old-school difficulty curve (Indiana Jones for example!)
Actually took a punt and pre-ordered this, really glad I did. Due to start it later this week once I've wrapped up the Wu Long demo on PS
@Ryu_Niiyama Impossible! No one on the internet is wrong except the people who genuinely like something! CLEARLY those folks are all insane and should be insulted for it.
But in all seriousness, I'm absolutely delighted to see a new Monkey Island get the recognition it deserves. I was a little worried about it being undervalued due to the visuals being blasted by gamers, but thankfully that didn't happen. I'm only a few hours in and I can already say with confidence that this my game of the year.
@CJD87 So... does the horse armor provide any unique dialog, or interact with anything?
Not a fan of point-and-clicks myself so this is a pass for me, but glad the fans are getting a quality game they’ve been waiting so long for!
@Grail_Quest No idea, not started it yet! I'd imagine it to be ultimately useless, probably just a 'tongue-in-cheek' addition.... maybe we get a throwaway line of dialogue to reward our eagerness?! I'll let you know...
Amazon Prime Games recently gave away the first 3 games, so I'm currently working my way through them again before I play the new one. It's like meeting an old friend you've not seen for a while.
@Grail_Quest So far, no. As advertised, it does nothing and interacts with nothing.
This looks cool, I will probably buy it soon. I also want Donkey Kong Island game!
@Dr_Luigi a woodchuck could chuck NO amount of wood cause a woodchuck can't chuck wood.
Dipped my toe in yesterday, and so far, so great! Hoping to sit and play a little more at lunch today. It’s like it was never away 🥳
Began it last night and is DOES live up to Monkey Island's reputation for very fun puzzles, characters, and dialogue
Literally thought this was a remake of the first game until I watched a review last night (I've never played any of them before)
Even though I heard a lot of good things about the series as a kid I was put off the point and click genre by Broken Sword on the PS1 which I hated as a kid, and it wasn't a genre I really started to appreciate until the Telltale games came along
I am rubber, you are glue!
Bought it on Steam but might double-dip on Switch down the line when it's on sale. I'm so happy this game got made so I want it to be a commercial success.
I always wanted to like the originals, but just found the puzzles too frustrating and never finished any of them. Reluctant to give this one a go on that basis.
I played the first on my Amiga and the second on my first "IBM compatible" as PC's were called back then. Remember being let down by the third and not going back but with the OG team (-Tim) back together I'll will be headed back to my 20's hoping for some good laughs.
Wow, great to hear this is so good! I was expecting scores in the 7-8 range but this seems to be so loved. I didn't have a lot of anticipation for this personally, because Curse was the first Monkey Island game I played (and my favorite) and I really wanted a return to that art style. I'm not a big fan of this more abstract, angular style. But if it's as good as they all say, I might have to pick it up.
It’s ok to think the art style is a big mistake and still want to play the game. Don’t know why people are so precious about people saying they preferred the old art style.
I'm planning to hold out for the physical, but Ron Gilbert says it's a long way away.
There's a collectors version coming.
@Rambler modern life is rubbish unfortunately and I agree 100%. I don’t do social media.
Unfortunately people that attack others in comments sections about their opinions are similar characters.
The reunification of Gilbert and Grossman is what's been keeping my hopes up, and I'm overjoyed to hear that it works!
I've heard some people have been upset about the visuals. Perhaps it's because I have no connection to the older games, but I think it looks great in motion. The style reminds a bit of the children's book The Stinky Cheese Man.
I rate this game a Stan/10.
The art style still makes it the ugliest Monkey Island game, it even makes the 4th look pretty decent.
I am glad the rest is left intact but I am hesitant to buy it because I don't know if I can look at it for too long.
I wonder why this hasn't came out physically.. why not? This franchise is a must have for collectors..
I swear… literally every time the internet has posted a big outrage this year about a game (at least from what I’ve seen) they’ve been wrong. People make much ado about nothing these days I guess.
People that were hyped for this, have fun!
@JakedaArbok What do you mean they are wrong. Everyone has their right to have an opinion about something as subjective as an artstyle.
Just because some official outlets like it doesn't mean I suddenly have to agree.
Nah this discolored nose guybrush is utterly hideous to me and I cannot fathom why this art was chosen given how other games in the series look.
I haven't played all of the earlier games, but I have played enough of them to know that I will enjoy this when I eventually get around to it.
@Ryu_Niiyama well I've got a tip for you. Get the point?
@Snatcher dude, what is Konami waiting to remaster you?!? I have you on my turbografx 16 mini but you're in Japanese only. You and your younger brother, Policenaults, would be perfect for the Switch.
@scottishwildcat the game has an integrated to-do list and hint system so you always know what you have to do and can ask for hints on how to do it. If you still can't solve a puzzle the hints will get more and more specific until it eventually just tells you the solution.
I played the game and tried to look past the art style but it's just too ugly. Animations are cheap, cutscenes are too simple, art style hideous: some objects I can't even see what they're supposed to depict until I see the description. Also, point and click system has been run down to the minimum: only 1 or 2 prefab ways to interact with an object.
This is such a bleak game compared to a cinematographic adventure like Monkey Island 3 where every room was like a painting and the cutscenes were like movies. I'm sad this will be the last one in the series.
I bought it. I played it. I love it!! Very much captures the feeling of Monkey Island. Having most of the original voice cast is a nostalgic trip in of itself. The comedic writing is brilliant too.
But..I'm not a fan of the art-style. Sorry, I just don't like it. Thimbleweed Park did it better in my opinion.
@scottishwildcat Same here, but the "Casual Mode" and GENEROUS hint system alleviates just about all the frustration.
Still avoiding all reviews to remain unspoiled, but the Metascore looks great.
Will NintendoLife have their own review, too?
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