A few months after the surprise announcement on April Fools’ Day, Devolver Digital and LucasFilm revealed the gameplay of Return to Monkey Island.
Back in April, one of the most unlikely video game sequels in recent years was announced as an April Fools joke. Return to Monkey Island was first teased by creator Ron Gilbert on April 1 before its official announcement on April 3, and was revealed as a new installment in the Monkey Island adventure series. favorite of LucasArts, published by Devolver Digital in partnership with the recently revamped LucasFilm Games. After nearly three months without any updates despite the 2022 release date, Devolver finally revealed gameplay for Return to Monkey Island yesterday as part of the Nintendo Direct Mini: Partner Showcase .
Return to Monkey Island is being positioned by Ron Gilbert’s creator as a true sequel to 1992’s Monkey Island 2: LeChuck’s Revenge, culminating in an iconic ending that was never fully resolved. by sequels like Curse of Monkey Island, at least not in the way Gilbert intended. Return to Monkey Island is the first new entry in the series since 2009’s Tales of Monkey Island and the first to be co-directed and written by Gilbert since leaving LucasArts after developing Monkey Island 2. Serving as a sequel to the second game, Ron Gilbert has stated that Return will feature characters and elements from later games.
Return to Monkey Island was significantly absent from Devolver Digital’s Devolver Direct 2022 showcase, which confused many fans eagerly anticipating the title. Now, it has been revealed that it will be a one-time exclusive on Nintendo Switch. The announcement comes alongside the first gameplay trailer, revealing that many beloved characters like Carla, Wally, Stan, and Otis will be returning with a first look at the game’s new art style. , from Knights and Bikes and Tearaway artist Rex Crowle.
The trailer also offers a first look at the new interface, inspired by Ron Gilbert’s Thimbleweed Park title Delores. The game is being developed by Terrible Toybox, the studio founded by Ron Gilbert that previously developed Thimbleweed Park and features the return of Guybrush Threepwood voice actor Dominic Armato. Return to Monkey Island will also feature music by composers such as Michael Land, Peter McConnell and Cliff Bajakian.
While there’s still no specific release date for Return to Monkey Island, the game’s Steam and Nintendo eShop pages are up and running, revealing details about the game’s story. Return to Monkey Island will take place some time after the events of Monkey Island 2, following Guybrush – who was abandoned when he never found out the real secret of Monkey Island. A new generation of pirates like the new character Captain Madison have replaced Guybrush, and familiar locations like Melee Island are under fearsome new management.
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