Review: Return to Monkey Island Is a Swashbuckling Good Time (PS5)

I must confess that this is my first trip to Monkey Island and first encounter with the dreaded zombie pirate LeChuck. Much like Guybrush Threepwood’s son, I’m venturing into this tale for the first time. For Monkey Island fans, Return to Monkey Island is a marvel. The fanbase has waited a long time for a sequel (ever since 2009’s Tales of Monkey Island), and this is the first installment to see series creator Ron Gilbert back on board (pirate pun, sorry) since 1991.

All that to say, I am well aware of the history behind the game, and how nostalgic fans may be to finally venture out as the bumbling Guybrush Threepwood. But as someone new to the franchise, there’s a lot to enjoy and appreciate. While the original game was released on the PC all the way back in 1990, I ventured to Monkey Island on my PS5. The game proved to be a charming and oftentimes quite funny game, featuring 2D characters in a point-and-click adventure.

Biggest Takeaways

• Return to Monkey Island features a colorful cast of characters and a hilarious take on the pirate genre.
• It’s sure to please both newcomers and returning fans of the series.
• On the PS5, I didn’t encounter any issues or bugs during my playthrough
• Final score: 9/10

Guybrush Returns in a New Epic

Having no clue what to expect, I initially thought that Guybrush’s son might be the one to face against the evil LeChuck, but the game quickly pivots and swerves after a fun and charming interlude. That early chapter establishes how Guybrush might be viewed through his son’s eyes, a famed adventurer and pirate helped by his own recollection of his tales. But once Return to Monkey Island begins in earnest, players quickly reconnect with Guybrush in all of his awkwardness.

The pirate is an adventurer and means well at heart, but he definitely is lacking in social grace, making for some hilarious interactions along the way. Guybrush is obsessed with finding the Secret to Monkey Island before his nemesis, even if his wife Elaine questions if it could possibly live up to his lofty expectations. Maybe Monkey Island is just the friends we made along the way.

The game fills a world full of colorful characters with both returning characters like Stan and Elaine as well as a new assortment for players to fall in love with. I mean who doesn’t love asking a hundred questions to a locksmith as she grows more and more annoyed? There’s enough backstabbing and betrayal along the way to make Captain Jack Sparrow blush. Such is the pirate way, after all!

The Game Shines Well on the PS5

Like previous entries, Return to Monkey Island is a point-and-click puzzle game. Part of the game’s charm is exploring different locations and figuring how things come together. While the solutions may not always be apparent, they do offer hilarious pit stops on the way. Thankfully, the game features a hint system that will help you if you get too stuck.

On the PS5, the world of Return to Monkey Island pops. It’s colorful and full of character, instantly reminding me of a children’s novel. The Gothic world of LeChuck and Monkey Island feels larger than life, which helps fit the game’s storybook-like nature. I was particularly a fan of how scenes sometimes zoomed in to show gross detail.

During my 10-hour play-through (7 if you’re speedy), I encountered very few to no bugs. The entire game felt well-optimized and put together. I didn’t have to fight the controller during my battle with LeChuck. Though I may have missed previous entries, I already can’t wait for the next game to come out. I guess as they say, “Part of the ship, Part of the crew.”