“Return to Monkey Island” is out today(returntomonkeyisland.com)
returntomonkeyisland.com
“Return to Monkey Island” is out today
https://returntomonkeyisland.com/?abc
171 comments
> the relaxed reggae beat changes ever so subtly depending on the bridge, the carpenter shop, the mapmaker, the bar, etc
That is cool! They don't receive a ton of attention, but other games do get into some fun stuff with music too. One such game is NieR: Automata. They built a pretty remarkable tone filter that seamlessly turns the playing music into an 8-bit equivalent via digital processing when the player starts hacking: https://www.platinumgames.com/official-blog/article/9581
A more common thing you'll see are games that have dynamic battle music, which will add or remove elements from the soundtrack as the player encounters combat, encounters a boss, or leaves combat.
I'm not aware of other games that have nice little leitmotifs for so many scenes, though. That's great.
That is cool! They don't receive a ton of attention, but other games do get into some fun stuff with music too. One such game is NieR: Automata. They built a pretty remarkable tone filter that seamlessly turns the playing music into an 8-bit equivalent via digital processing when the player starts hacking: https://www.platinumgames.com/official-blog/article/9581
A more common thing you'll see are games that have dynamic battle music, which will add or remove elements from the soundtrack as the player encounters combat, encounters a boss, or leaves combat.
I'm not aware of other games that have nice little leitmotifs for so many scenes, though. That's great.
Earworm [0], released by JCO and Neuro at the Evoke 2011 demoparty is a game that puts this kind of sound mechanic at its core. The music gets more frantic and changes style as you increase in "level", and as you approach danger the drumbeat gets more insistent, sounding ominous and inducing anxiety.
I still play it to this day, quite a unique experience and a fun game to boot!
[0] https://www.pouet.net/prod.php?which=57518
I still play it to this day, quite a unique experience and a fun game to boot!
[0] https://www.pouet.net/prod.php?which=57518
FAR:Lone Sails, and Changing Tides also have very dynamic music. I would go so far as to say music is 50% of the experience of the game, perhaps almost all of the emotional experience. Not to detract from the environmental storytelling which was also excellent.
Yes, iMUSE (Interactive Music Streaming Engine) as they called it was genius, not sure whether something like this does still exist these days.
Some games does change things depending on "action" in the game and such, but tends to be very basic variables + actions.
I think GTA V for example actually changes the actual music as the action goes up, like when your wanted level changes.
There is a racing game that does something even more basic (Trackmania maybe?) where they have a low-pass filter that opens up more and more the faster you go.
Nothing like iMUSE I think though.
I think GTA V for example actually changes the actual music as the action goes up, like when your wanted level changes.
There is a racing game that does something even more basic (Trackmania maybe?) where they have a low-pass filter that opens up more and more the faster you go.
Nothing like iMUSE I think though.
The entire game of Portal 2 is a subtle musical performance. All the devices emit bits of music and their combination changes the song.
The FAR series of games is also really seamless in this respect.
The FAR series of games is also really seamless in this respect.
It was one of my favourite things about Zelda breath of the wild. Some sessions I felt more like a conductor, depending on what I did in game, I could control the music. It was an amazing system to give you a clue on what was in your surroundings.
Pillars of Eternity 2 allows you to choose either letting the songs in the soundtrack play out, or to dynamically chop and change based on the scenes. The sea shanties while you're sailing around the map are a nice touch.
This was exactly my experience, first time I had ever heard sound out of an audio card.
Between these games and everything Sierra ever released, I really fell in love with both gaming, and computers in general. They led me to learn more about programming, and today I'm still at it.
Between these games and everything Sierra ever released, I really fell in love with both gaming, and computers in general. They led me to learn more about programming, and today I'm still at it.
Same here. Monkey Island 2, King's Quest 5 and Wasteland are quite possibly why I ended up in a tech career all this time and so many years later.
The music was great - I used to have the LeChuck theme as an 8-bit chiptune on my old cellphone and it still rocked.
I used to have LeChuck's PC speaker theme as my cell phone ring.
But the concept of a ringing phone has evolved. Originally, the ringing of a phone was supposed to attract your attention, even if you were far away. You wanted a piercing, obtrusive sound.
Today phones are carried around with you while you hang out with a lot of other people who are also carrying their own phones. Rings and alerts need to be unobtrusive, which makes older-style rings inappropriate. :/
But the concept of a ringing phone has evolved. Originally, the ringing of a phone was supposed to attract your attention, even if you were far away. You wanted a piercing, obtrusive sound.
Today phones are carried around with you while you hang out with a lot of other people who are also carrying their own phones. Rings and alerts need to be unobtrusive, which makes older-style rings inappropriate. :/
Quite true, and yet I'm saddened by it.
Currently have my smartwatch at the repair center, so I'm actually relying on ringtones again after years of silence and vibrations, and it kind of annoys me that I can't just blast the tetris soundtrack as a ringtone anymore...
> They don't make games like that anymore
I was delighted to see that this level of love for detail has been upheld by other design studios:
Here is a documentary [0] of the development of the orchestral music done for "Creaks" by Amanita Design, famous for "Samorost" and "Machinarium".
They contracted musicians from the Hidden Orchestra who went on to create music that develops and progresses based on how you progress in the game. Watch the documentary, it's really worth it.
[0] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=67S-rAyku3U
I was delighted to see that this level of love for detail has been upheld by other design studios:
Here is a documentary [0] of the development of the orchestral music done for "Creaks" by Amanita Design, famous for "Samorost" and "Machinarium".
They contracted musicians from the Hidden Orchestra who went on to create music that develops and progresses based on how you progress in the game. Watch the documentary, it's really worth it.
[0] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=67S-rAyku3U
Two other examples I can think of are Pokémon (the fifth edition I believe?) on the Nintendo Gameboy where the game will blend the low hp warning beeps into the music when it gets into the critical zone, but then quickly fade it into the background so it won't be annoying. In Nitronic Rush, the predecessor to Distance, the music will adapt to how cut down the players car is and in what mode it is. Flying, driving upside down and on walls will all introduce their own instrument mix.
Disappointingly, the successors of both games didn't feature those mechanics.
Disappointingly, the successors of both games didn't feature those mechanics.
Two hours in and I'm enjoying it.
So far the puzzles have been fun, but not very difficult. The plot is a bit heavy with references to the story of the earlier games, but perhaps not too much (my partner enjoyed it too, having only played The Curse of Monkey Island, but not the others).
The "new" art style is a bit odd at first but it's nice and consistent and it has a style of its own. All the earlier games had a different art style to each other too, partly because the early installments had technical limitations they had to cope with (and then there was that thing with the 3d graphics).
The sound track is very nice with some tunes you'll probably know.
I'll rate it four monkeys and a pegleg.
So far the puzzles have been fun, but not very difficult. The plot is a bit heavy with references to the story of the earlier games, but perhaps not too much (my partner enjoyed it too, having only played The Curse of Monkey Island, but not the others).
The "new" art style is a bit odd at first but it's nice and consistent and it has a style of its own. All the earlier games had a different art style to each other too, partly because the early installments had technical limitations they had to cope with (and then there was that thing with the 3d graphics).
The sound track is very nice with some tunes you'll probably know.
I'll rate it four monkeys and a pegleg.
Do yourself a favor and watch this wonderful video essay historique on The Monkey Island series from Ahoy; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9F9ahZQ7oP0
Now that's how you do a promotion page!
> "What did you sell?"
> "Nothing! Nothing fungible, anyway…"
Well, they obviously lost nothing in the humor department xD
> "What did you sell?"
> "Nothing! Nothing fungible, anyway…"
Well, they obviously lost nothing in the humor department xD
I never enjoyed these types of games as a kid, and I never beat them. I'm thinking specifically of Myst, its sequel, and Monkey Island. I'm not an idiot, but whatever particular type of problem-solving skill is required to enjoy these games, I just don't have it. I can enjoy the most complicated and convoluted strategy games or RPGs, but somehow those skills don't translate to knowing which thing to click on with which other thing. I can't be the only one, right? A reasonably smart person who outright fails at point-and-click puzzle games?
It’s a distinct art form, with it’s own cultural norms (eg “use A on B”, where neither has any obvious relationship to the problem at hand).
As far as I can tell, exhaustive search tends to be the solution.
As far as I can tell, exhaustive search tends to be the solution.
I never got them either - but they seem to be to be like cryptic crosswords, where the logic of the puzzles is a thing that exists divorced from the (apparent) context, and it's about understanding a bunch of conventions specific to the puzzle designer and the subculture around them.
> cryptic crosswords
I still remember the magic of discovering cryptic crosswords. Regular crossword puzzles are fine but cryptics are their own sort of fun.
I still remember the magic of discovering cryptic crosswords. Regular crossword puzzles are fine but cryptics are their own sort of fun.
Exhaustive search is as much the solution to Point & Click adventures as save scumming is the solution to action games / RNG-heavy games - you can beat the game that way but it isn't the intended way and probably not the most fun one. That is unless by exhaustive search you mean you need to explore other scenes available to you when you are stuck somewhere.
While some adventure games do rely on so-called "moon logic", the solutions are pretty much never completely arbitrary but rather require you to think out of the box, take descriptions/names/etc. literally even when that would not make sense in the real world, always look for possible puns or other jokes. Play enough of them and you will quickly get an intuition for these puzzles.
Of course, there are P&C adventures that go for more realistic puzzles if that is what you prefer. You'll still need a sense for puzzles though and won't always immediately know what to try next.
While some adventure games do rely on so-called "moon logic", the solutions are pretty much never completely arbitrary but rather require you to think out of the box, take descriptions/names/etc. literally even when that would not make sense in the real world, always look for possible puns or other jokes. Play enough of them and you will quickly get an intuition for these puzzles.
Of course, there are P&C adventures that go for more realistic puzzles if that is what you prefer. You'll still need a sense for puzzles though and won't always immediately know what to try next.
Many of the puzzles are illogical, or only make sense in "video game land" type logic similar to how Looney Tunes cartoons work with their own rules. So yeah, intelligence is not necessarily that important compared with obstinately trying everything. I was pretty good at them, but mostly due to being stubborn.
Personally though, I always had the most fun with these as a bunch of pre-teen friends standing around the computer throwing out ideas. I really struggle to play a lot of puzzle games now that I'm older since I miss that dynamic, and tend to stick to more straightforward ones like Tametsi/Hexcells (think Sudoku/Minesweeper).
Personally though, I always had the most fun with these as a bunch of pre-teen friends standing around the computer throwing out ideas. I really struggle to play a lot of puzzle games now that I'm older since I miss that dynamic, and tend to stick to more straightforward ones like Tametsi/Hexcells (think Sudoku/Minesweeper).
Well, Myst is like 100 times more difficult than something lighthearted like Monkey Island. Those two games are almost different genres and not really comparable I would say.
I feel similarly, although I always felt the gameplay system itself was flawed, rather than blaming my own ineptitude. It felt like quite often I'd be stuck trying every combo of items with elements in the environment until some arcane combination unlocked the next bit pf story/gameplay. It seemed like such a shame because the design and scriptwriting were so good.
There's nothing wrong with playing with a hintbook if you do get stuck. I play for the story, not the puzzles.
And since we are in the computer age you can find one along the information hightway: https://www.uhs-hints.com/
This lets you get hints for the part you are stuck on without spoiling other puzzles or story bits.
This lets you get hints for the part you are stuck on without spoiling other puzzles or story bits.
This one has a built in hint system.
I completed a bunch of Sierra and Infocom games in my youth, 20 or so.
Can't recall many without reaching out for a hint here or there. There's always things in these types of games that are totally illogical. I'm suspect of anyone who says they beat these things with zero help at all as IME it's down to myopia in writing/design in most cases.
Can't recall many without reaching out for a hint here or there. There's always things in these types of games that are totally illogical. I'm suspect of anyone who says they beat these things with zero help at all as IME it's down to myopia in writing/design in most cases.
Only Steam [1] and Nintendo [2] releases so far, both are $25.
[1] https://store.steampowered.com/app/2060130/Return_to_Monkey_...
[2] https://www.nintendo.com/store/products/return-to-monkey-isl...
[1] https://store.steampowered.com/app/2060130/Return_to_Monkey_...
[2] https://www.nintendo.com/store/products/return-to-monkey-isl...
Very good price actually
Never pay more than $44.37 bucks for a computer game.
https://fineleatherjackets.net/monkeyinflation
https://fineleatherjackets.net/monkeyinflation
Should be available in physical form sometime in the future as well: https://twitter.com/grumpygamer/status/1566807750767947776
I played the prologue. The new engine is great although I'm still not convinced by the art style. It's not horrible by any means but I don't find it as charming as MI2 and MI3.
At the core of nostalgia it isn’t just about an specific object or event that we cherish, but also the ERA during which it occurred, and the special people from that age:
My uncle who introduced me to computers, his eccentric genius friend who built a DIY amplifier for me, my aunt who walked in and smiled as I was humming the game’s tune while paddling across the swamp in Monkey Island 2… my other uncle who helped me read my first novel, The Hobbit, fanning my interest in the weird and whimsy, and passed away just before Rings of Power aired…
Mortality’s a bitch. I’m grateful for these little time machines, and I wonder what long-awaited sequel or remake will come out after I’m gone.. :)
My uncle who introduced me to computers, his eccentric genius friend who built a DIY amplifier for me, my aunt who walked in and smiled as I was humming the game’s tune while paddling across the swamp in Monkey Island 2… my other uncle who helped me read my first novel, The Hobbit, fanning my interest in the weird and whimsy, and passed away just before Rings of Power aired…
Mortality’s a bitch. I’m grateful for these little time machines, and I wonder what long-awaited sequel or remake will come out after I’m gone.. :)
It is not a coincidence that they released it on International Talk Like a Pirate Day: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Talk_Like_a_Pira...
Talk like a Pirate, but don't fight like a dairy farmer.
Talk like a Pirate, but don't fight like a dairy farmer.
> don't fight like a dairy farmer.
Nah, can't be arsed.
Nah, can't be arsed.
Related:
Return to Monkey Island trailer [video] - https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=31911065 - June 2022 (128 comments)
When I made another Monkey Island - https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=31246530 - May 2022 (211 comments)
Return to Monkey Island, Coming 2022 - https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=30957917 - April 2022 (84 comments)
If I Made Another Monkey Island (2013) - https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=30908723 - April 2022 (4 comments)
Return to Monkey Island - https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=30908395 - April 2022 (60 comments)
Return to Monkey Island, follow-up to Monkey Island 2 [video] - https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=30907723 - April 2022 (1 comment)
If I Made Another Monkey Island (2013) - https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=15004266 - Aug 2017 (86 comments)
If I Made Another Monkey Island... - https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=5557443 - April 2013 (83 comments)
also:
Monkey Island Director Will No Longer Post About the Game Due to Online Abuse - https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=31939339 - June 2022 (21 comments)
Ron Gilbert won’t post about Return to Monkey Island following online abuse - https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=31937333 - June 2022 (6 comments)
Return to Monkey Island trailer [video] - https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=31911065 - June 2022 (128 comments)
When I made another Monkey Island - https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=31246530 - May 2022 (211 comments)
Return to Monkey Island, Coming 2022 - https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=30957917 - April 2022 (84 comments)
If I Made Another Monkey Island (2013) - https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=30908723 - April 2022 (4 comments)
Return to Monkey Island - https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=30908395 - April 2022 (60 comments)
Return to Monkey Island, follow-up to Monkey Island 2 [video] - https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=30907723 - April 2022 (1 comment)
If I Made Another Monkey Island (2013) - https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=15004266 - Aug 2017 (86 comments)
If I Made Another Monkey Island... - https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=5557443 - April 2013 (83 comments)
also:
Monkey Island Director Will No Longer Post About the Game Due to Online Abuse - https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=31939339 - June 2022 (21 comments)
Ron Gilbert won’t post about Return to Monkey Island following online abuse - https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=31937333 - June 2022 (6 comments)
Curious if playing any/all of the earlier releases is worthwhile before diving into this.
You should play 1 and 2 just because they’re bloody brilliant games
I won't disagree, but there's a bit of rose tinted glasses of nostalgia here.
A few years back I tried playing The Secret of Monkey Island again (special edition from Steam), and it wasn't quite as great as I remembered. The special edition has got voice acting, but the original script (which was for text) doesn't lend itself to voice acting (dialogue feels odd) and having it text only felt a bit archaic.
A few years back I tried playing The Secret of Monkey Island again (special edition from Steam), and it wasn't quite as great as I remembered. The special edition has got voice acting, but the original script (which was for text) doesn't lend itself to voice acting (dialogue feels odd) and having it text only felt a bit archaic.
IMHO monkey island 2 holds up best. It’s so well written and I love the music.
Rose tinted? Possibly. But underneath the tint it’s still solid gold. One of my favourite games I’ve ever played.
Rose tinted? Possibly. But underneath the tint it’s still solid gold. One of my favourite games I’ve ever played.
I replayed the remakes of 1 and 2 with my son 2
3-4 years ago and we both greatly enjoyed them. I think they held in up very well. Voice acting was great.
Alternatively, if you want to experience the previous games but don’t feel like playing them you can watch full playthroughs of the previous games on YouTube without commentary.
For example:
Curse of Monkey Island - No Commentary Play Through - THE SCUMM BAR - https://youtu.be/zfAo3O2qZR0
The same channel that posted said video has posted full play through no commentary videos of other games in the series also.
I watched a few of these a while ago during night time as while I was falling asleep. As a mix between background noise and something that I paid some amount of attention to. Same way that a friend of mine likes to put on movies sometimes when going to sleep.
For example:
Curse of Monkey Island - No Commentary Play Through - THE SCUMM BAR - https://youtu.be/zfAo3O2qZR0
The same channel that posted said video has posted full play through no commentary videos of other games in the series also.
I watched a few of these a while ago during night time as while I was falling asleep. As a mix between background noise and something that I paid some amount of attention to. Same way that a friend of mine likes to put on movies sometimes when going to sleep.
In the main menu of the game, there's a "scrapbook" feature with a brief history of Guybrush Threepwood's adventures if you haven't played the earlier editions.
But the game (as far as I played it so far) contains a lot of characters and jokes that might be more fun if you've played the earlier ones.
If you want to play them, there are "special editions" of the first two in Steam. They have improved graphics and voice acting, with the option of switching to the original graphics and back with the press of a button.
But the game (as far as I played it so far) contains a lot of characters and jokes that might be more fun if you've played the earlier ones.
If you want to play them, there are "special editions" of the first two in Steam. They have improved graphics and voice acting, with the option of switching to the original graphics and back with the press of a button.
To understand where the plot picks up, you should (re)play MI1 and MI2.
A few things I understand were borrowed from Curse of MI, but you don't need to know them beforehand. They were borrowed because they are charming and funny, not because they add something to the canon (cannon?).
A few things I understand were borrowed from Curse of MI, but you don't need to know them beforehand. They were borrowed because they are charming and funny, not because they add something to the canon (cannon?).
> To understand where the plot picks up, you should (re)play MI1 and MI2.
Actually you should just play them because they're bloody brilliant, as jonplackett said.
There are remakes for modern ish systems available:
https://store.steampowered.com/app/32360/The_Secret_of_Monke...
https://store.steampowered.com/app/32460/Monkey_Island_2_Spe...
3 4 and the Telltalle series... you won't miss much. But 1 and 2 are why this game launch made it even to HN.
Actually you should just play them because they're bloody brilliant, as jonplackett said.
There are remakes for modern ish systems available:
https://store.steampowered.com/app/32360/The_Secret_of_Monke...
https://store.steampowered.com/app/32460/Monkey_Island_2_Spe...
3 4 and the Telltalle series... you won't miss much. But 1 and 2 are why this game launch made it even to HN.
MI3 may not have had Ron Gilbert’s involvement, but fits perfectly with 1 and 2. It’s an awesome game. MI4 was OK, but not memorable, and the 3D wasn’t a good fit for it.
> 3 4 and the Telltalle series... you won't miss much.
Fair enough about the others, but that’s a controversial opinion about 3, which is critically acclaimed and a classic for anyone played it as a kid in the late 90s. It only gets criticised because Ron Gilbert wasn’t involved.
The voice acting cast from it are nearly all in Return, along with lots of references, so it’s canon for Gilbert purists now too!
Fair enough about the others, but that’s a controversial opinion about 3, which is critically acclaimed and a classic for anyone played it as a kid in the late 90s. It only gets criticised because Ron Gilbert wasn’t involved.
The voice acting cast from it are nearly all in Return, along with lots of references, so it’s canon for Gilbert purists now too!
I'm not criticizing it, I just don't remember the plot which says something.
Was it the one with monkey combat? And time travel? Or time travel was in 4...
Was it the one with monkey combat? And time travel? Or time travel was in 4...
Monkey combat and time travel were both in 4 (Escape, the clumsy 3D one).
Curse was the 2D-cartoon one with demon LeChuck, Elaine turned into gold statue, chickens and rollercoaster of death.
Curse was the 2D-cartoon one with demon LeChuck, Elaine turned into gold statue, chickens and rollercoaster of death.
Seriously. I just skimmed through a youtube playthrough. I've definitely played it (3 i mean). Still don't remember what it was about.
IMO the only game where you won't miss much is the fourth one - Escape from Monkey Island. All the rest were pretty charming.
All the previous MI games are canon to the new one, although the whole MI canon isn't exactly very strict in the first place anyway.
It is a little loosey-goosey, but I understand* there's now 2 timelines, which I'm going to come up with some arbitrary labels for:
- 1, 2, Return <- "Gilbert Canon" or, "OVA"
- 1, 2, Curse, Escape, Tales <- "Extended Canon", "Guybrush Universe", "Guybrush Muyou"
A little bit of Curse is going into Return, which is the loosey goosey part**. Memorable characters/gags, and less the events of Curse.
* Full disclosure, I haven't played Tales, or Return yet.
* *Well, also PC gaming is a thing in the MI universe, and pirates are shilling LOOM in the SCUMM bar.
- 1, 2, Return <- "Gilbert Canon" or, "OVA"
- 1, 2, Curse, Escape, Tales <- "Extended Canon", "Guybrush Universe", "Guybrush Muyou"
A little bit of Curse is going into Return, which is the loosey goosey part**. Memorable characters/gags, and less the events of Curse.
* Full disclosure, I haven't played Tales, or Return yet.
* *Well, also PC gaming is a thing in the MI universe, and pirates are shilling LOOM in the SCUMM bar.
> * Full disclosure, I haven't played Tales, or Return yet.
Yes, I can tell. Return to Monkey Island explicitly references events from all the previous Monkey Island games.
When it comes to the timeline, I won't comment on it, as that's kind of a spoiler. It becomes obvious early in the game though.
Yes, I can tell. Return to Monkey Island explicitly references events from all the previous Monkey Island games.
When it comes to the timeline, I won't comment on it, as that's kind of a spoiler. It becomes obvious early in the game though.
> Yes, I can tell. Return to Monkey Island explicitly references events from all the previous Monkey Island games.
I mean. I have a day job. I won't have time until the weekend to play it. It's only been out like 9 hours!
I mean. I have a day job. I won't have time until the weekend to play it. It's only been out like 9 hours!
Both M1 and M2 are classics. I personally really loved Curse of Monkey Island as well.
If you don't have time or energy for that though, I'll echo that watching a let's play is also very good.
If you don't have time or energy for that though, I'll echo that watching a let's play is also very good.
CoMI (which is 25 years old) definitely is a classic to my generation, who mostly played it before any of the other games. It just gets complained about by older folks who played 1 & 2 first because Ron Gilbert wasn’t involved - which I can understand, but it’s a shame because it’s such an incredible game.
I played 2hours and actually it is definitely so much for fans that I would say everyone should play at least the first one (secret of monkey island) first before playing this one (and then why not play the second one, too? :D).
So much I can say: This definitely feels like a Monkey Island game.
So much I can say: This definitely feels like a Monkey Island game.
Game 3 and 4 (The Curse of Monkey Island and Escape from Monkey Island) come with the caveat that they are from the Windows 9x period. Getting them to run reliably on a modern computer is an adventure in its own right.
3 has worked perfectly on ScummVM for at least a decade, and you can buy it on Gog.
4 is indeed very much a pain (and so are the controls). The PS2 version is better than the PC version in my experience.
4 is indeed very much a pain (and so are the controls). The PS2 version is better than the PC version in my experience.
There was ResidualVM for Escape from MI which has been merge with ScummVM. I haven't tried in a while but it was playable from what I remember (even if controls were still a pain)
It's in good shape indeed: https://www.scummvm.org/compatibility/DEV/comi/
I didn’t know that - I’ll have to check it out, thanks!
protondb says they work out of the box on linux for some people
https://www.protondb.com/app/730830
https://www.protondb.com/app/730820
https://www.protondb.com/app/730830
https://www.protondb.com/app/730820
> Getting them to run reliably on a modern computer is an adventure in its own right.
I always enjoyed this meta game back when it was fiddling with config.sys and such. Shouldn't need that for a 9x game, but other fiddling would make sense.
I always enjoyed this meta game back when it was fiddling with config.sys and such. Shouldn't need that for a 9x game, but other fiddling would make sense.
They are available on Steam today, surely they've upgraded or rebuilt the engine to run on modern machines? Disclaimer: I haven't actually tried.
The first two are wonderful games. Charm aside, they are quite fair for adventure games while not being easy (though if you want easy, walk-through guides are a click away)
Great reviews so far - https://opencritic.com/game/13681/return-to-monkey-island
Extremely positive reviews so far from the reviewers I trust the most. I will be buying.
I pre-ordered and paid full price, which is something I rarely do. Last time I did it was for Psychonauts 2.
Gosh, the writing in that game. So good. It and Disco Elysium make me yearn for better writing in other video games. It is so rare for me to feel that way – Dragon Age: Origins is another one.
People have been complaining about the non-pixel graphics but I think that's alright. It's different but it looks nice.
Couple of hours in already and it’s everything I’d hoped for!
You made my day. I did not even know about this. This is one of the series I enjoyed the most in my whole gaming life. And there has been quite a bit of that.
On top of that... I own a Switch!!!! :D
On top of that... I own a Switch!!!! :D
I don't really like the new art direction.
I will still be buying this today!
Edit: I realized my steam deck will be arriving in the next couple of days. Now I know what I'll be playing in it first.
I will still be buying this today!
Edit: I realized my steam deck will be arriving in the next couple of days. Now I know what I'll be playing in it first.
About an hour in, and I'm pretty happy with the art. Doesn't detract at all from the game. I liked the art style of Monkey Island 3 the most, but this is also good.
They never inteded it to be pixel art at the start, they just couldn't do anything else.
Of course, I wasn't expecting pixel art. I played the remakes with the new modern art and I liked them a lot. But this angular art is a bit too abstract for me. Hopefully it will grow on me or at least it won't detract from the game.
Agreed. I really don't like the art style. I've never played the original games though so I would like to get around to playing them before I play this though anyway.
Still at the beginning, but the new engine feels a lot less “active” than the over 30 years old SCUMM of Monkey Island 1:
Where’s the guy spinning on the chandelier in the Scumm Bar, the cook walking around delivering drinks? The people walking around is the force?
Everything feels a lot “stationary” in comparison, so far. But I love how they masterfully ret-conned the ending of Curse of Monkey Island!
Where’s the guy spinning on the chandelier in the Scumm Bar, the cook walking around delivering drinks? The people walking around is the force?
Everything feels a lot “stationary” in comparison, so far. But I love how they masterfully ret-conned the ending of Curse of Monkey Island!
I found it quite the opposite: every leaf, foliage etc is moving. Seeing it in motion really brings the game world to life.
Maybe the spinning pirate's perpetual motion machine was broken ;)
Maybe the spinning pirate's perpetual motion machine was broken ;)
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Correction: The people walking around in the forest (that you could get into sword fights with)
Ron Gilbert and Dave Grossman both involved, I'm not sure I care for the art style but looking forward to being a kid again!
Any way to run this on Linux? Can't wait to get my hands on it!
Native Linux version should be coming soon: https://twitter.com/grumpygamer/status/1570852960024031233
Many people have troubles with it launching to a black screen on GNU/Linux (including Deck). Switching the renderer from Vulkan to DirectX 12 in config file seems to sometimes help.
https://www.reddit.com/r/SteamDeck/comments/xihk79/return_to...
Appears to work on Deck, although the Steam Store page doesn't list any compatibility information yet and protondb doesn't have any entries. But I'd say your chances are good that it runs on linux without issue.
Appears to work on Deck, although the Steam Store page doesn't list any compatibility information yet and protondb doesn't have any entries. But I'd say your chances are good that it runs on linux without issue.
Fantastic art style (although I'm not digging the character faces especially). The trailer is superb, makes you (me, that is) really excited for the game... something that cannot be said about a lot of game trailers these days.
Having played and enjoyed the originals (1,2), this is a disappointment to me. Not because it's terrible, but because we've seen it all before. It feels empty and a rehash of the past without reaching the same heights. A hollow cash grab if you will (those who played thimbleweed park will maybe understand what I mean).
But then again, Monkey Island was never really my favorite LucasArts series or even top 3. Day of the tentacle and Fate of Atlantis are for me the absolute pinnacle of the genre and the best of Lucas with Loom and Grim Fandango close behind.
But then again, Monkey Island was never really my favorite LucasArts series or even top 3. Day of the tentacle and Fate of Atlantis are for me the absolute pinnacle of the genre and the best of Lucas with Loom and Grim Fandango close behind.
The people who downvoted you must think you weren't actually disappointed by it.
Steam ...
Let's hope they bring it out on GoG too, soon.
Looking forward to playing, but there's no way in hell I'm buying this with DRM. Especially not a monkey island game. This I want to own properly, and show my kids one day. Not "rent with disclaimers".
Let's hope they bring it out on GoG too, soon.
Looking forward to playing, but there's no way in hell I'm buying this with DRM. Especially not a monkey island game. This I want to own properly, and show my kids one day. Not "rent with disclaimers".
Graphics style looks like:
https://www.16personalities.com/
https://www.16personalities.com/
Does it run on Apple M1s? The GPU requirements for the macOS version on Steam do not explicitly mention support for M1 chipsets.
Doesn’t everything run on M1s?
I'm running it on my M2 right now
Perfectly
I would imagine yes since that's the majority of apple chips these days
Majority of Apple chips unlikely to be M1/M2. Apple started shipping M1 not until late 2020, so just two years of people being able to purchase them, compared to what, ~13 years of being able to buy Intel machines. Surely there are more Intel Macs out there still.
Anyone that doesn't like the art style, why? There's a controversy around it, and I don't see an issue with the art. The EGA era was my favorite era of PC gaming, but I like anything except obviously-3D games. Think King's Quest 8. They don't age well, and are awkward for games with a staged isometric viewpoint.
Yeah hate it. But love the game anyway.
Rumor has it Space Venture will be released soon too. What a time to be a 40 something, nostalgic, adventure gamer!
Already released to Kickstarter backers a couple days ago!
(by the makers of Space Quest, for those who don't know what this is)
Woah... 9 years since the KS, and the release was set for September 16!
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/spaceventure/two-guys-s...
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/spaceventure/two-guys-s...
Did anyone try it on Steam Deck?
Sam Machkovech, the reviewer at Ars Technica played half the game on the Deck, and said it worked well:
https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2022/09/review-return-to-monk...
There are is little more detail in that article about how playing with a controller works.
https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2022/09/review-return-to-monk...
There are is little more detail in that article about how playing with a controller works.
The Ars Technica reviewer said he played about half the game on the Steam Deck and it works well.
They just opened up the tech support forum [1]. Several people are complaining about it taking too much CPU, but luckily you can turn the wattage down and limit the FPS to alleviate that problem.
[1] https://steamcommunity.com/app/2060130/discussions/1/5241649...
[1] https://steamcommunity.com/app/2060130/discussions/1/5241649...
It took me an hour of switching between OS releases and Proton versions, but eventually it started to work on my Deck (initially the game ran but only showed a black screen).
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In life, you should always be yourself. Unless you can be a pirate, then be a pirate.
Oh boy, this brings back distant memories, I remember playing Monkey Island and Day of the tentacles from Lucasarts. Too bad I don't have time to give this one a try but I will definitely watch some youtubers play it.
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Can’t wait to play it! Anyone has a spare copy of the Dial A Pirate wheel?
Are there any recommendations for similar games? I've been craving such games (on mobile and on PC) but I haven't found too many. Grim Fandango from the past was one of my favorites.
Sure, here are some Point & Click adventures I enjoyed in the last years:
* Primordia, Strangeland, Gemini Rue and others published by Wadjet Eye Games: http://www.wadjeteyegames.com/games/
* Besides Grim Fandango which you already mentioned, Day of the Tentacle and Full Throttle have also gotten remasters by Double Fine
* Deponia series, Edna & Harvey and the sequel, The Whispered World and Silence by Daedalic - too bad that they seem to have stopped making P&C adventures
* The Journey Down series
* STASIS, CAYNE and Beautiful Desolutation
* Paradigm
* Kathy Rain
* The Fall (you aim instead of clicking but otherwise it fits)
* The Longest Journey, Dreamfall: The Longest Journey and Dreamfall: Chapters
* J.U.L.I.A.: Among the Stars
Of course if you some of these might be stretching the "similar" part a bit depending on what you are looking for.
* Primordia, Strangeland, Gemini Rue and others published by Wadjet Eye Games: http://www.wadjeteyegames.com/games/
* Besides Grim Fandango which you already mentioned, Day of the Tentacle and Full Throttle have also gotten remasters by Double Fine
* Deponia series, Edna & Harvey and the sequel, The Whispered World and Silence by Daedalic - too bad that they seem to have stopped making P&C adventures
* The Journey Down series
* STASIS, CAYNE and Beautiful Desolutation
* Paradigm
* Kathy Rain
* The Fall (you aim instead of clicking but otherwise it fits)
* The Longest Journey, Dreamfall: The Longest Journey and Dreamfall: Chapters
* J.U.L.I.A.: Among the Stars
Of course if you some of these might be stretching the "similar" part a bit depending on what you are looking for.
I think as a more modern option, albeit with strong rpg influences, you might consider the fantastic Disco Elysium as an adventure game: https://store.steampowered.com/app/632470/Disco_Elysium__The...
Very different tone though.
Very different tone though.
https://adventuregamers.com keeps track of new releases in the genre.
I also like this blog where volunteers replay classic adventure games: https://advgamer.blogspot.com (there's a lot of content in the archives)
I also like this blog where volunteers replay classic adventure games: https://advgamer.blogspot.com (there's a lot of content in the archives)
The Broken Sword series is a must. I also enjoyed the Myst series a great deal, but it's a very different style.
Day of the Tentacle and Full Throttle
My gateway drug was Simon the Sourcerer, with Chris Barry (Rimmer from Red Dwarf) doing the narration.
edit: Oh and Indiana Jones!
edit: Oh and Indiana Jones!
Fate of Atlantis, original or fan made deluxe
I really liked this old one: Sam and max hit the road.
Anyone knows what game engine it's using? Is this Unity?
Custom engine called Dinky I believe I saw in the credits, as I started it earlier.
The same engine that was used earlier by "Delores: A Thimbleweed Park Mini-Adventure": https://grumpygamer.com/delores_dev
Always nice to see game developers creating their own engines!
Oh, this was not on my radar. What a pleasant surprise. I don't care for the last decades of 3D shooters, but this is a game I will finally check out again.
I hope there's an in-game character that can continue the woodchuck chucking conversation.
Will be buying, and thanks for putting it up here.
Will be buying, and thanks for putting it up here.
I'm genuinely surprised this isn't also a mobile release. These games are great on an iPad.
Cooool !
I like the fact it was announced only 6 months ago or something top and now it's in people's hands !
I like the fact it was announced only 6 months ago or something top and now it's in people's hands !
Anyone know if a late-2018 Mac Mini will run this game? My son would love it!
Here's hoping for a release on iPad around Xmas.
Anyone knows the minimum requirements of the game?
Good news, I always wanted to visit Brrr Muda!
Such a neat website design
I was thinking maybe I should finish monkey island 2 before buying this one. I got it on my iPhone a long time ago.
Well, tough luck. Disney bought Lucas Art and removed it from the App Store - no redownloads for anyone!
https://www.pocketgamer.com/secret-of-monkey-island-special-...
Well, tough luck. Disney bought Lucas Art and removed it from the App Store - no redownloads for anyone!
https://www.pocketgamer.com/secret-of-monkey-island-special-...
It's probably easiest to just say "yo ho" and find a pirate copy to use with ScummVM at this point, I did that with MI1/2 around the time the rereleases came out and it was super easy to find a good copy of both.
GoG, and I think Steam, have official releases that have updated graphics with a toggle built-in to switch between old graphics and new anytime you want.
Monkey Island 1 & 2 on iOS broke several iOS releases ago anyway and never were patched again unfortunately.
Such a drag that Apple doesn't care at all about app compatibility and happily breaks iOS games every year, offloading a maintenance burden on developers, who have to keep updating their games/apps for every new iOS release just to keep them working at all.
The 32-bit apocalypse didn't help and I think it might have been what specifically killed the Monkey Island games on iOS.
Then Apple went to macOS and broke the 32-bit game libraries on Steam and the Mac App store...
The 32-bit apocalypse didn't help and I think it might have been what specifically killed the Monkey Island games on iOS.
Then Apple went to macOS and broke the 32-bit game libraries on Steam and the Mac App store...
MacOS would need a Tb of disk space to store all the emulators and libraries if every CPU architecture would have to be supported indefinitely. And Macs would be more expensive than they already are.
It's on Steam and better enjoyed on a normal sized screen. It's hand-painted and digitized art painted in the early 90s.
The remakes were fantasic on iPad.
Secret of Monkey Island 2 was my first PC game on a 486SX and VGA monitor. The sound came out of the PC speakers... One day I got an Adlib card and was blown away. Go ahead and download the remake on steam and notice something that kind of doesn't exist in any game (that I know): when you enter the scene on Scabb Island, the relaxed reggae beat changes ever so subtly depending on the bridge, the carpenter shop, the mapmaker, the bar, etc.
For example, you enter the mapmaker and the Wally music comes on, which is the same reggae bagdrop to a clarinet or oboe, the music is a little deeper in the carpenter shop, there's an evil background tone when Largo LaGrande shows up and a more subtle one in the hotel, etc.
With gorgeous hand painted digitized art.
They don't make games like that anymore. Can't wait to see if they actually did.