This game is a BIG deal. Although I'd argue it streamlines the adventure game formula a little too much, "Return to Monkey Island" still brings much-needed air to an outdated UI and is a remarkable achievement. I recommend playing it with the "Writer's Cut" option on.
But why is it such a big deal? Ron Gilbert and Dave Grossman worked on the first two games in the series, then consulted on the fifth one (Grossman helped write the story as Telltale's Creative Director). Magically, unbelievably, they then returned to Monkey Island (ho ho) 30 years after the second one, tasked with both resolving the cliffhanger to "Monkey Island 2" and making it all fit with the other games. Somehow, they did, creating a very funny, pretty moving game in the process. I understand the frustrations some people have with "Return" and would argue that they should have left some of the ending choices out, but the devs should be proud of themselves.
"Return" feels like a response to the first game. "Monkey Island 2" is a remarkable sequel, but this feels like a continuation—sort of like "Godfather, Part II" taking the themes of the first one, then expanding on them and adding to them, being both a great work in its own right and enriching the original. Great, great game. Great "Monkey Island" game.
But why is it such a big deal? Ron Gilbert and Dave Grossman worked on the first two games in the series, then consulted on the fifth one (Grossman helped write the story as Telltale's Creative Director). Magically, unbelievably, they then returned to Monkey Island (ho ho) 30 years after the second one, tasked with both resolving the cliffhanger to "Monkey Island 2" and making it all fit with the other games. Somehow, they did, creating a very funny, pretty moving game in the process. I understand the frustrations some people have with "Return" and would argue that they should have left some of the ending choices out, but the devs should be proud of themselves.
"Return" feels like a response to the first game. "Monkey Island 2" is a remarkable sequel, but this feels like a continuation—sort of like "Godfather, Part II" taking the themes of the first one, then expanding on them and adding to them, being both a great work in its own right and enriching the original. Great, great game. Great "Monkey Island" game.