If Return to Monkey Island is aimed primarily at old gamers who have known the golden age of adventure games, the new generation is still welcome. Thus, the main menu's Album section quickly summarizes previous adventures, including those not overseen by Ron Gilbert. We advise everyone to check it out before starting a game, but this is not the only preliminary precaution to take. The Text and language section of the Settings menu indeed conceals an option "Long version - more blabla, less rhythm", surprisingly unchecked by default. It is imperative to activate it, because it enriches the dialogues and even adds some characters! Similarly, when presented with the choice between normal or hard mode, we strongly advise you to choose the latter. It adds a few steps to certain puzzles, which has the advantage of extending the lifespan a little and tickling our neurons a little more. And that beginners or the simple-minded be immediately reassured: not only the general difficulty remains very reasonable in all cases (without being trivial either), but in addition the game has not forgotten to include all the tools modern aids. We thus have a command allowing to highlight the interactive zones, the possibility of re-reading the past dialogues, and even a book of progressive indices, which gives with each consultation more and more indications on the way to achieve current objectives. This gradual system is perfect for unlocking the player if necessary, while leaving him the pleasure of the little spark "Eureka, I found!" since the solution is never given to him point blank. Other small quality of life options are also available to make the experience even more pleasant, whether it's the possibility of interrupting dialogues, double-clicking to run instead of walking, or even shortcuts allowing immediate access to different screens (nautical chart, task list, inventory, etc.).
THEY CAME, THEY ARE ALL HERE
At this stage of the test, you may be wondering why we haven't mentioned the scenario yet. Don't look, it's done on purpose! As promised by Ron Gilbert, the story takes the direct sequel to the cult ending of Monkey Island 2: LeChuck's Revenge, but has a big surprise in store from the first minutes. We will therefore content ourselves with telling you that you will once again embody the irreplaceable Guybrush Threepwood, face the inevitable pirate-zombie LeChuck, and once again set off in search of the secret of Monkey Island, with always many key humor. The game's opening screen, which reproduces the identical night view of the melee island and the font of the very first episode, sets the tone: referential and nostalgic! It's very simple, you will re-visit a good number of known places, redo a few insulting duels, and come across almost all the major, even minor, characters of the original saga. Elaine, Carla, Lady Voodoo, Stan, Otis, Wally, Murray, Herman Toothrot and even Cobb answer the call. Connoisseurs will appreciate, while others can count on the relevance of the dialogues to never be lost. They will inevitably miss a few references and the pleasure of reunions, but will always understand the essentials. Voluntary and assumed, this nostalgic atmosphere fortunately does not smell of mothballs, and avoids the trap of simple repetition or stupid and mean fan service. In this case we can even speak of intelligent fan service, because fully justified by the general scenario and the fabulous end. The latter may disappoint some players too eager to think about all its implications, but it actually hides a little gem of writing, as if everything was already planned thirty years ago. In addition to being divided into several possible mini-conclusions, it offers a real meta and bittersweet reflection capable of fueling many discussions around the coffee machine.
BEAUTY IS IN THE EYES OF THE SEESER
It now remains to address the thorny issue of artistic direction, which has been talked about so much in recent months. Signed by the artist Rex Crowle, its extremely angular and caricatural features sting the eyes a little at first, even hindering the readability of certain scenes, it must be admitted. Clearly aware of its visual audacity and the controversy it has generated, the game even has fun breaking the fourth wall by slipping in a certain reunion sequence the following little dialogue: "You, on the other hand, have the look different… New graphic style?”. But fortunately, it only takes a few minutes of play to no longer be embarrassed by this particular artistic direction, and a few hours at most to end up sincerely appreciating it. She even excels in some close-ups. Word of detractor from the first hour! On the audio side, everyone will agree to salute from the first seconds the quality of the original voices, and even more that of the music. The different pieces perfectly transcribe the atmosphere of the Caribbean. And once again, these anthology themes will particularly resonate with connoisseurs of the saga, who are definitely really spoiled by this delicious return to the island of monkeys.
