By Mary Ellis Ryan

I’m a teen right now, so I wasn’t aware of the original Monkey Island from back in the 1990s. I wasn’t even aware of the remake that appeared on Apple Arcade. But it’s been a great discovery. The most recent version brings fans back to the loved adventures of Guybrush! Tall, messy blonde hair, a long nose, and usually wears a blue coat with a white shirt: sound familiar?

The newest version, which first debuted in 1990 with The Secret of Monkey Island, offers a mix of nostalgia and a kind of modern/vintage design if you know what I mean. It looks vintage in the sense that it keeps the charm of old-school adventure games like the classic humor, dialogue gameplay, and nostalgic references. But it’s also modern because of its updated graphics, smoother animations, and simpler controls. But whether you’re an OG player of the series, or a newcomer, the Apple Arcade version definitely keeps players captivated from the moment you press “New game.”

Guybrush Threepwood is an eager, inexperienced wannabe pirate, setting sail through the Caribbean in search of the secrets of Monkey Island. Driven by ambition, he sets off on a journey to claim his place among the legends, which means he has to prove himself by completing three trials.

These were led by the island’s pirate leaders, who served as jury, executioners, and, of course, devoted grog tasters. Among these trials, the test of thievery stood out, which included breaking into the heavily guarded governor’s mansion. While this story is important in the first game, in Return to Monkey Island, the focus is on Guybrush’s continued adventures. He goes on several, including facing new challenges, encountering LeChuck, ghost pirate and Guybrush Threepwood’s main rival once again. Along the way, he also crosses paths with interesting characters like old friend, Herman Toothro and Elaine Marley, the strong-willed governor.

Checking out this game, I expected it to be something with boring puzzles that you can never pass without watching ads or videos for hints. But, oh boy, was I wrong. The plot is nothing short of awesome; it’s filled with humor, pirates, and mystery.

I firstly really enjoyed how the game incorporates dialogue. Not only does it make the experience more engaging. It also adds depth to the plot and characters, making the game even more entertaining. Therefore not only is it a game about solving puzzles. It also tells a rich story.

To add to this, the game also includes a lot of free play. So, if you’re the type of person who enjoys exploring and interacting with different characters, this is definitely for you. Without spoiling too much, towards the beginning of the game you’ll receive a to-do list, and you’ll be able to interact with different objects and characters to fulfill it. When you click on something, it results in an outcome. For example, if you press on a character you’ll get a unique dialogue response. The same happens if you and your best friend go to a store with no money wanting a couple of Scurvy Dogs or Chickenfoot Fries, types of food.

Well, let’s just say the vendor’s refusal to give you the Scurvy Dogs, despite your clever attempts, makes the interaction unexpectedly funny. It’s these odd moments that add some humor and keep you entertained.

Maybe the best part is the controls are easy to master. I pressed on the iPad screen to control where my character moves. To interact with characters, or objects, isn’t hard. Just press on them. The game also includes a little tutorial  guide to help introduce the controls, so there’s even less worry.

Seriously, the artwork here amazing because it’s super unique! I’ve rarely seen anything quite like it. If I had to describe it, I’d say the characters are very exaggerated with think long arms and odd proportions (which is what makes it so fun and different). The colors are bold and vibrant with strong lighting, specific details, and impressive shading. Even the textures are thoughtfully designed. For example, the wood and other backgrounds have a hand-painted look that really adds to the overall visuals.

And the soundtrack perfectly complements its art style. The music is upbeat, with a fun pirate vibe that perfectly suits the game’s adventurous tone. It has an old-school video game feel, with instrumental tracks that add to it without being too overwhelming. I like the mix of pirate-themed instrumentation, and by pirate-themed, I mean music that evokes the feeling of the sea, adventure, and ships. Combine that with the art style which creates an atmosphere that keeps you in the spirit of the game. You just want to keep going.

Overall, Return to Monkey Island surprised me in the best way. It’s not just about solving puzzles but rather about enjoying a funny, wild story with cool characters and plot twists. The mix of humor and mystery keeps you entertained and engaged, while the puzzles offer a challenge without ever feeling frustrating. Additionally, the game also cleverly includes flashbacks and reflections, adding to Guybrush’s journey. So if you’re a person who’s looking for a mildly challenging puzzle game with a cool engaging plot, definitely give this game a try. Just don’t be surprised if you end up having to dig up some money for some Scurvy Dogs along the way.

Mary Ellis Ryan attends Baruch High School. She is the newest intern at the New York Videogame Critics Circle, and we look forward to publishing more of her work.

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