Return to Monkey Island is a post-nostalgic tale of puzzle-solving pleasure – Review

gamepur.com:

Return to Monkey Island is not a surface-level game. Even its title has layers, referring to protagonist Guybrush Threepwood’s return to the titular island, a new opportunity for fans to play a new point-and-click adventure, and a rare chance for veteran game developers to revisit the series that kickstarted their careers. Finding meaning in all those different categories is a hefty goal, but it’s one that Return to Monkey Island manages to achieve. Despite being set between the second and third games in the series, it feels like a beautiful climax to a franchise that’s seen games spread across four decades.

A large part of that climactic feeling is due to its framing. The game begins in the current timeline, with you in control of the unnamed son of a now-older and graying Guybrush. This tutorial eases newcomers into point-and-click puzzle mechanics and the new art style. Monkey Island has gone through a few different looks over the years, and the latest is another great addition to the lineup. The exaggerated proportions and cartoonish animations perfectly complement the game’s humor. 

Once you clear this tutorial (set in the Big Whoop Amusement Park introduced in the second game), Guybrush’s kid will sit beside his dad and ask for a story. There’s a Princess Bride quality to their exchange, as the game frequently cuts back to the current day so that the two can comment on the story so far. This adds an extra layer of charm for returning players as they revisit familiar sites like Melee Island and its many shops — all of which have changed in some way.

Return to Monkey Island feels like a greatest hits as you stroll these streets, and the returning voice cast goes a long way to make the changes feel