Return to Monkey Island has received a gameplay trailer showing the game's new art style and a wide array of characters, both new and old. Stills and short clips of gameplay show some beloved heroes and villains, and Devolver Digital has confirmed the comeback of certain characters. The game's official website has also confirmed the return of several key voice actors from the original games.
The Monkey Island series is known for its enigmatic characters and whimsical tone. The original creator of the series, Ron Gilbert, has returned to direct the newest release, coming with the promise of bringing back the spirit of the earliest entries. The game will also bring back the composers from the first two games, Peter McConnell, Michael Land, and Clint Bajakian.
With the game being a direct sequel to Monkey Island 2: LeChuck's Revenge, it features both main and side characters from the first two games. In particular, Guybrush Threepwood and the zombie pirate LeChuck will be returning as the protagonist and antagonist, respectively. The game is intended to preserve as much of the original cast as possible, including Dominic Armato as Guybrush, Alexandra Boyd as Elaine Marley, and Gavin Hammond as Stan.
Return To Monkey Island Will Bring Back A Raft Of Characters
Officially confirmed returnees include Murray, Herman Toothrot, and the Mêlée Island Lookout. Their original voice actors are also expected to reprise their roles. Interestingly, the stories of the games following LeChuck's Revenge appear to have been dropped from the canon of the series, as Herman Toothrot's secret identity as Horatio Torquemada Marley looks set to be left out. Preserving the tone of the original games looks set to please fans, as seen in Elijah Wood's reaction to the new Monkey Island reveal trailer. Also, LeChuck's original voice actor, Earl Boen, will not be reprising his role due to his retirement from acting, but he has given his blessing to Adam Harrington, who voiced LeChuck in Tales of Monkey Island.
Watching through the trailer, it is possible to spot a number of familiar faces, though they have had makeovers in the new art style. Noticeable characters include Otis, the thief who has been imprisoned once again; Carla, the Sword Master of Mêlée Island; and Wally B Feed, the cartographer. These stand out as mainstays of the series, as recognizable as Stan S. Stanman or even Guybrush himself. Though the new Monkey Island art style has drawn negative reactions, these characters stay true to the spirit of their designs. Also prominent is an undead chef, who appears to be a redesign of Rapp Scallion due to his hat and apron. Another scene shows a room filled with pirates, including a man who appears to be Cobb, a man found in the Scumm Bar, and running into the room is the Scumm Bar Chef. This shows that the game will return to the familiar locales of the first games, as well as introduce new areas to explore such as Brr Muda and Terror Island. The first picture in the trailer's scrapbook shows what appears to be the classic Men of Low Moral Fiber, though this is unconfirmed.
The Monkey Island series has remained popular since its debut in 1990, as seen in the Monkey Island crossover reference in Sea of Thieves. The games following LeChuck's Revenge took a different direction from the first two entries in the series and do not appear to be strictly canon. However, it appears that Morgan LeFlay, who appeared in Tales of Monkey Island (the fifth installment in the series), will reappear in Return to Monkey Island, as she is seen fighting Elaine. This shows that some parts of the later games have been retained in the series.