Series creator Ron Gilbert is saddened by the negative reaction fans had to the art style for Return to Monkey IslandReturn to Monkey Island is the direct sequel to Monkey Island 2: LeChuck's Revenge, which came out in 1991. Ron Gilbert wrote and directed the first Monkey Island, then also designed and programed LeChuck's Revenge.

The first two Monkey Island games came out in the early 90s, and the now iconic look of these games was comprised entirely of pixel art. This in itself used two different styles. In the main overworld where the player can walk around as the main character Guybrush, the art is more simple and only keeps necessary details. Then when Guybrush has a conversation with characters such as Elaine Marley or the Sword Master Carla, the player is treated to fully detailed and realistically rendered portraits. However, with the announcement trailer for Return to Monkey Island, it was revealed that the upcoming game will have a more cartoony look.

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As VGC reports, Ron Gilbert was sad to see fans' negative reactions to the Return to Monkey Island's art style. “It’s ironic that the people who don’t want me to make the game I want to make are some of the hard-core Monkey Island fans," says Gilbert. "And that is what makes me sad about all the comments." He continues with “Return to Monkey Island may not be the art style you wanted or were expecting but it’s the art style I wanted” showing that he isn't too deterred by such comments. He is confident in the abilities of art director Rex Crowle, and that he and his team will make a beautiful video game.

Return to Monkey Island Cover

While Return to Monkey Island's new look is quite stylized, it isn't far from other entries and the special edition versions of the Monkey Island series. A direct comparison of Monkey Island's various art styles can be seen when looking at the original box art for The Secret of Monkey Island, then at the art for Secret of Monkey Island: Special Edition. Both boxes depict the same scene, with the characters in the same positions, but with drastically different art. The special edition took on a more cartoony and stylized look, while the original was more realistic and dramatic. Another sequel to LeChuck's Revenge, The Curse of Monkey Island, also took on a different yet still cartoonish look. Then fans saw changes yet again when the embattled developer Telltale made Tales of Monkey Island. Needless to say, this is far from the first time Monkey Island has had an art style change.

With the style of Monkey Island hardly able to stay consistent for more than two games, it is quite surprising to witness backlash over specifically the look of Return to Monkey Island. The art director Rex Crowle is known for his art and design work for LittleBigPlanet and Knights and Bikes, which are both titles with brightly colored and stylized looks. While this contrasts with the original two entries of the Monkey Island series, with their realistic and painterly pixel portraits, the more stylized look fits with the humorous and whimsical vibe of Monkey Island's story and writing style.

While it is saddening to see that there are fans who are displeased with the look of the new game, one can hope that the excitement for this long-awaited sequel outweighs it. The backlash isn't making Ron Gilbert back down from making the game he wants, and fans are eagerly waiting to see this long-coming project come to fruition. Return to Monkey Island is slated to release later this year.

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Source: Video Game Chronicle