In the midst of a nostalgic revival, Studio Terrible Toybox unveils the new installment in the cult saga that started in 1990, with an absurd and shimmering universe. Modernized, the game takes a step forward in terms of aesthetics and usability for the player.
For veterans who scoured the original games, there’s proof in this return to Monkey Island. A few minutes is enough to dispel legitimate concerns and feel like you’re finally reconnecting with one of the greatest series in the adventure genre. Far from being reserved only for connoisseurs, the production of Terrible Toybox shows a welcoming face, with a refined interface as well as a remarkably integrated hint system: Monkey Island now accompanies the player more than recklessly blocking him in the face of a twisted puzzle.
In the midst of a nostalgic bubble, one might fear a backward-looking project. On the contrary, we are faced with a surprisingly modern, lively, rhythmic game that sometimes gives the false impression of an interactive cartoon. The mastery of the two authors in dealing with the absurd remains unchanged. Based on voodoo mysteries and exoticism, Return to Monkey Island also adds a touching face as the hero recounts his own adventures to his son or invites the player to reconnect with familiar places and characters. A point’n’click treat capable of cranking out the genre’s traditional mechanics without hurting the heartbreak of the LucasArts years. A craftsmanship.
Return to Monkey Island by Terrible Toybox published by Devolver available for PC, Mac and Switch.