The return of the Monkey Island series is one big surprise for the gaming industry for sure. The series has seen a 13-year hiatus since the release of the last episode of Tales of Monkey Island on December 8, 2009, per IMDb.
However, with series creator Ron Gilbert back at the series' proverbial helm, The Monkey Island series may explore new and familiar waters in its latest installment, Return to Monkey Island.
In fact, the story may include a place most series veterans would be most familiar with.
That's right. Gilbert, along with series designer Dave Grossman, recently confirmed that Return to Monkey Island would feature Melee Island, according to Adventure Gamers' interview with the two Monkey Island developers.
Gilbert and Grossman also revealed more details about the upcoming Monkey Island game during the interview.
Return to Monkey Island Additional Details
According to Adventure Gamers' interview with Gilbert and Grossman, Melee Island is confirmed to be one of the places players can explore in the game. This confirmation followed Adventure Gamers' Emily Morganti's question if the location is going to be in the game based on its official website.
The official Monkey Island Website immediately opens to an island that looks similar to Melee Island. However, the fact that it is isn't clearly stated on the website.
Gilbert and Grossman praised Morganti's question, with the latter developer calling it "great detective work."
Meanwhile, Gilbert also hinted that the titular Monkey Island could be coming into the game as well, with him responding "We might wedge that in," when about the island's inclusion in the game.
Aside from Melee Island's confirmation, both developers also revealed the game would involve the familiar point-and-click interface similar to the first two games in the series. However, it also comes with advancements that don't make it feel dated and obsolete.
"An important part of this [game], in some ways, is keeping and evolving the genre," Gilbert said.
As for voice acting, Gilbert said that they tried to get returning voice actors to reprise their roles wherever they could, but other characters were voiced by several people in different games.
Dominic Armato is confirmed to be voicing Guybrush again, while Earl Boen declined the invitation due to him being retired, Gilbert said. He also added that despite him declining the invitation, he gave his blessing to the developers to recast the character of LeChuck.
"[Boen] said, 'Recast the role, you have my full blessing to do that," Gilbert stated.
Return to Monkey Island Information
Return to Monkey Island was originally an April Fools' joke, according to VG247. However, Gilbert surprised the world a few days later confirming the game is in development.
The game is being developed by Gilbert's Terrible Toybox, Inc. in collaboration with Devolver Digital and Lucasfilm Games. It acts as a direct sequel to Monkey Island 2: LeChuck's Revenge, which was the last game in the series worked on by Gilbert and Grossman.
