If there is a legendary saga for the most connoisseurs (and veterans) in video games, that is, without a doubt, that of Monkey Island . The classic LucasArts title from the early 90’s made history and spawned several titles that came to PCs, consoles, and even mobiles around the world. Today we get nostalgic and tell you all about the Monkey Island franchise, including how you can play it right now with just one click.
Those of us who grew up in the 90s with LucasArts graphic adventures are aware that these are times that will not return. But also, that those adventures of pointing and clicking with the mouse have not completely disappeared, nor will they be erased from memory.
We were captivated by their stories, their characters, their colors and the way we laughed and fried our neurons trying to solve the puzzles.
And without a doubt, the one that has left the most mark (and the most titles in its saga) has been Monkey Island. Because this is the story of a young man who always wanted to be a pirate…
What is the saga about and how is it played
The Monkey Island video game series falls within the graphic adventure genre . It was created by Ron Gilbert, Tim Schafer and Dave Grossman, and published by LucasArts from 1990 , when the first title came out, until 2009 when the last one was published until now.
Initially for PC, Amiga and Atari, the different games have come out for many more formats over time, including some versions for mobile phones.
The games follow the adventures of Guybrush Threepwood as he attempts to become a pirate on the island of Mêlée. In addition to that, Guybrush will also try to win the heart of the Governor, Elaine Marley , while facing his great enemy, the powerful pirate LeChuck .
Gameplay consists of solving puzzles with objects found in the environment, fighting monsters, and interacting with characters .
All this is done with the classic mechanics of point and click , pointing with the mouse and clicking on an object , person or element in the environment. We will be able to choose the action that is carried out when clicking, from a list that is offered to us on the screen.
Why Monkey Island Became a Huge Hit
These types of graphic adventures were all the rage in the 90s and LucasArts had enormous success with them, making a multitude of titles based on their SCUMM game engine. How is it possible that he became a legend?
Because, although the game mechanics are extremely simple, that is not the important thing .
Both the way of playing and the puzzles are the perfect complement to what is important: an elaborate story, very well written, with large doses of humor and ingenuity , both in the plot and in the puzzles that you have to solve.
And on top of that, some unforgettable and charismatic characters , with whom you get emotionally involved.
That is, just the opposite of what 90% of video games do. In them, the plot is an excuse, the characters are interchangeable, you don’t get involved in them and you don’t care what happens to them. Or whatever happens to the story itself. This is just an excuse to shoot, race, or destroy things.
Of course, in addition to the story and the characters, the Monkey Island saga has a very personal and elaborate style, based on caricatures and cartoons . That also makes it unforgettable, even after such a long time.
What games make up the saga
At the moment, there are 5 games that make up the Monkey Island franchise. Let’s take a more detailed look at each.
The Secret of Monkey Island
The one who started the legend. Released in 1990 and remastered over the years for different formats, it tells us about the beginnings of its protagonist, the lovable Guybrush Threepwood, who wants to be a pirate.
For that, you have to overcome three challenges and you will meet two characters that will accompany you in the saga. Governor Elaine Marley, with whom he will fall in love, and the spectral pirate LeChuck, who will be his great enemy.
The sense of humor and the ingenuity of the plot and puzzles made it a video game classic, which has been remastered in a special version, with new graphics.
Monkey Island 2: LeChuck’s Revenge
Thanks to the success, a year later the second part of the franchise would arrive, although in Spain we had to wait until 1992. Guybrush faces Largo LaGrande, LeChuck’s henchman and who wants to revive the pirate in the form of a zombie.
Both sales and reviews were spectacular again and this title was the last one that had its original creators at the helm of the game . However, the saga would not end there, since money is money.
The Curse of Monkey Island
We would have to wait 6 years for LucasArts to give birth to the third part in 1997 . They got a little complicated and again Guybrush, Elaine and LeChuck are the protagonists of an adventure where our favorite pirate must annul the curse that LeChuck has invoked on his beloved.
The change of authors translates into a change of mechanics and graphic style , and it is also the last time the SCUMM engine will be used .
Despite that, the game captures the spirit of the series well and is a lot of fun, once again being a bestseller.
Escape from Monkey Island
They are the arrival of the year 2000, Monkey Island returns again and now with 3D graphics . The mechanics also change and we forget about point and click .
Back on Mêlée Island, after their honeymoon, Guybrush and Elaine find that she is no longer governor, her house is going to be demolished and they will have to face the evil Charles L. Charles, who is none other than LeChuck with changed appearance .
Our leading couple will win again, leaving Grandpa Marley as governor and going back to do what they do best, being pirates.
The Tales of Monkey Island
It would take almost 10 years to see a new Monkey Island game , when in 2009 Guybrush must, again, save his wife from the clutches of LeChuck.
We find ourselves once again with a 3D puzzle game, where, as always, we can use objects, create new ones and interact with the environment.
Although it is made by TellTale Games, under the LucasArts license, former members of the original company worked on the game, and once again, this title received positive reviews and was nominated for several awards .
Over time, there have been various rumors of some other title in the saga, but the truth is that, at the moment, nothing has materialized and there seems to be no real intention of continuing the franchise .
Asked on more than one occasion, its original creator, Ron Gilbert, is clear that, for his part, he has not the slightest intention of making another game and that, for him, everything ended in the second part.
How to play the original games
If you’re curious, the original Monkey Island games can still be played in a variety of ways.
In addition to being able to get the second-hand title, for some compatible old computer or console, you have more options, such as the official games on Steam or the iOS or Android stores.
However, if you want the original flavor on your PC, you can too.
How to play Monkey Island with emulators
One of the easiest and most direct ways is to use the ScummVM emulator .
This allows you to mimic LucasArts’ original SCUMM engine and play its legendary point and click adventure games . Among them, you will find the first two parts, which the most staunch fans of the saga, like its creator, consider the only true ones.
However, it is not the only way, but you can also emulate the old MS-DOS on your PC with DOSBox , for example, a project that is still active and allows you to recreate the fun of the 90’s on your PC.
How to play Monkey Island in your browser
However, if you want it even easier, there are those who have put this MS-DOS emulation online, and you can play the original Monkey Island , and in Spanish , on this website .
Directly in the browser, without downloading anything and being the original game.
In the same way, you also have the second part of LeChuck’s Revenge, but yes, this time only in English.
As you can see, The secret of Monkey Island is a true legend in the world of video games. And that seems like the lament of an old man (because he is), but it is true that games like these are no longer made and trends have changed a lot. Of course, the memory remains and there are still those who hope that it will not be the last time we see Guybrush Threepwood on our screens.
