The Curse of Monkey Island

About

The Curse of Monkey Island is a single player puzzle game with fantasy, comedy and historical themes. It was developed by LucasArts and was released on March 22, 2018. It received overwhelmingly positive reviews from players.

In "The Curse of Monkey Island," Guybrush Threepwood is on a quest to save his love, Elaine, from the clutches of the villainous LeChuck. The pirate-themed graphic adventure game features film-quality animation, high-resolution graphics, and a variety of puzzles to solve. The curse on Elaine's engagement ring has turned her into a gold statue, and Guybrush must break the curse and defeat LeChuck to save her.

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Play Modes

Single-Player

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97%

Audience ScoreBased on 2,758 reviews

humor592 positive mentions

grinding16 negative mentions

The game features beautiful hand-drawn graphics and animations that have aged well, providing a charming visual experience.
The humor and witty dialogue are top-notch, making it one of the funniest games in the series.
The puzzles are engaging and challenging, with two difficulty modes that cater to both casual and hardcore players.

Some puzzles can be frustratingly obtuse, requiring trial and error or a walkthrough to solve.
The game lacks a hint system, which could have helped players who get stuck on certain puzzles.
The ending feels rushed and unsatisfying compared to the previous games in the series.

humor
592 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is widely praised for its clever writing, witty dialogue, and memorable characters, often evoking laughter through absurd situations and playful banter. Many reviewers highlight the game's ability to blend humor with challenging puzzles, creating a lighthearted yet engaging experience reminiscent of classic 90s adventure games. Overall, the humor is considered a standout feature, contributing significantly to the game's charm and lasting appeal.
- “The dialogue is brilliant, puzzles intricate, and the game itself is like playing an exquisite painting with a lot of humor and puzzles.”
- “I burst out laughing multiple times because the humor was just that good.”
- “The humor is fantastic with a lot of distinctly memorable characters, and the soundtrack is one of the best (and by 1997 game standards one of the most impressive OSTs that I can recall).”
graphics
548 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
37%
59%
4%
The graphics of "The Curse of Monkey Island" are characterized by a distinctive, cartoonish art style that has aged well since its 1997 release, though some players note that the low resolution can be a drawback on modern displays. While the visuals may not match the pixel art charm of the earlier games in the series, many appreciate the vibrant animations and humor that complement the gameplay. Overall, the game's artistic direction is praised for its creativity and remains a highlight, despite calls for a high-definition remaster to enhance the experience.
- “Top tier point and click adventure classic with a unique graphical style.”
- “The art style holds up really well, even today, and the voice acting is great.”
- “The graphics are beautiful.”
- “The graphics haven't been improved much and scummvm usability remains painfully bad.”
- “The standard definition graphics are pretty obvious, and the menu is extremely dated, looking like something out of a DOS game.”
- “Sadly the visuals didn't age well and on a 1920 x 1080 resolution the game looks rather poor.”
story
378 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
48%
2%
The story of "Curse of Monkey Island" is widely praised for its humor, engaging characters, and clever writing, making it a standout in the point-and-click adventure genre. While some players note that it may not reach the narrative heights of its predecessors, it still delivers a fun and whimsical experience filled with witty dialogue and memorable moments. The game effectively balances its comedic elements with a satisfying plot progression, appealing to both newcomers and fans of the series.
- “The dialog and story are well written and actually had me laughing out loud at times.”
- “This is a great example of good video game storytelling.”
- “The story, humor, puzzles, voice acting, etc. is all very nice.”
- “The storyline is the weakest element - they'd probably have been better just ditching Big Whoop after Guybrush's intro.”
- “The final part on Monkey Island is so short that it appears uninspired and hastily put together to give a conclusion to the story.”
- “But the story suffers a lot from trying to rein in the excesses of MI2.”
music
258 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
55%
44%
1%
The music in the game is widely praised for its exceptional quality, memorable melodies, and atmospheric compositions that enhance the overall experience. Michael Land and his team's work is frequently highlighted, with many players recalling specific tracks fondly, such as the iconic "A Pirate I Was Meant to Be." Overall, the soundtrack is considered a standout feature, contributing significantly to the game's charm and lasting appeal.
- “Practically every scene in this wonderfully artistic game has its own unique, atmospheric music.”
- “The music by Michael Land is catchy and mysterious and perfect as always.”
- “The soundtrack is amazing and graphic wise, it's pretty good for its time when it was first released.”
- “The music is a lot less catchy and I don't remember many tracks, but they all fit the settings really nicely and never really feel out-of-place.”
- “The music was okay but I noticed some inconsistencies in the voice overs.”
- “The graphics may be a little rough, but if you can deal with the cartoon style animation, the music and writing are absolutely worth it.”
gameplay
106 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
72%
3%
The gameplay is characterized by engaging puzzles, witty dialogues, and a charming art style, though some mechanics feel dated and can lead to frustration. While many players appreciate the humor and creativity in the puzzles, others note that certain gameplay elements may require walkthroughs to navigate effectively. Overall, the game maintains a nostalgic appeal, blending classic mechanics with modern touches, making it enjoyable for both new and returning players.
- “The puzzles are complicated, the dialogues witty, the gameplay engaging.”
- “But its presentation, solid gameplay, and charm make it a must play if you're into retro PC games, or you want a fresh experience from 1997.”
- “The writing and the gameplay have also transitioned well, and haven't lost their witty and whimsical puzzles and commentary.”
- “The writing is pretty funny, but the gameplay is awful, and the only reasonable way to get through it without pulling your hair out is via walkthrough.”
- “The few downsides I have with the game are that it feels shorter than the previous ones, and the boat/sword fighting mechanic was a bit tedious and boring.”
- “The game is a classic, but to be honest, there are places where the player is likely to get stuck, which isn't really modern-day gameplay.”
atmosphere
48 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
58%
36%
6%
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its unique artistic style, vibrant environments, and engaging soundtrack, which collectively create a nostalgic and immersive experience. While some players have mixed feelings about the visual style, the overall ambiance, humor, and sound design are noted as key elements that enhance the game's charm and personality. Despite some critiques regarding the atmosphere in comparison to earlier titles, many still find it to be a standout feature that contributes significantly to the game's appeal.
- “Practically every scene in this wonderfully artistic game has its own unique, atmospheric music.”
- “The music by MI stalwart Michael Land is reliably great, often riffing on the MI theme tune as a recurring motif, while the sound design is also notable, adding an extra layer to that all-important atmosphere.”
- “The vivid art style is gorgeous, the soundtrack helps give the islands a sense of atmosphere (particularly on the second island you visit), and the game is packed with great dialogue filled with wit and charm.”
- “- The characters' jokes about being in a computer game slightly spoil the atmosphere of the game.”
- “Although an entertaining game, Monkey Island 3 is not up to par with MI2 when it comes to the atmosphere first and foremost.”
- “The 2D style is definitely what this series does best; the next parts being in 3D are somewhat lacking in atmosphere.”
grinding
18 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
11%
89%
Reviews indicate that the grinding in the game serves to extend playtime but can often feel tedious and repetitive, particularly during sword-fighting segments and dialogue-heavy interactions. While some players appreciate the nostalgic value of grinding for upgrades and insults, others find it detracts from the overall experience, making certain parts of the game feel unnecessarily drawn out. Overall, the grinding aspect is seen as a mixed bag, with some enjoying it and others wishing for a more streamlined experience.
- “It kind of pads the game time more as there's kind of 'grinding' you need to do.”
- “Insult sword fighting, which already went on slightly too long in the original game, overstays its welcome again in a long, grinding mid-game segment.”
- “This game was funny but at times tedious because of the amount of dialogue you had to go through repeatedly.”
optimization
10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
80%
20%
The game is praised for its smooth optimization, particularly on Windows 10, allowing players to enjoy a nostalgic experience without technical issues. The performances of the voice actors, including Earl Boen and Dominic Armato, further enhance the overall enjoyment, contributing to the game's classic status.
- “So nice to have a game from childhood run smoothly on Win10 in 2018.”
- “The humor is fantastic, and Dominic Armato's performance as Guybrush makes the game a classic.”
- “Most significantly, it gave us Dominic Armato's first performance as Guybrush Threepwood, which suits the goofball, naive, completely irony-thick protagonist like an oiled glove.”
character development
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
The game features exceptional character development, highlighted by memorable and entertaining designs that resonate with players. The witty dialogue and humorous references enhance the overall experience, making characters feel vibrant and engaging. The high-resolution graphics allow for intricate details, elevating the visual appeal to that of a top-tier animated show.
- “This game has some pretty amazing character designs, with pretty much everyone you come across being memorable and entertaining.”
- “This game is absolutely fantastic with witty remarks, funny references, and amazing character design!”
- “I loved every minute of this game, including the character designs, one-liners, and jokes that will stick with you for the rest of your life.”
emotional
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by its blend of dark humor and heartfelt storytelling, particularly in the Blood Island chapter, which features a touching narrative about reuniting a deceased bride with her lost lover. Players find this combination both fun and wholesome, enhancing the overall emotional experience.
- “The Blood Island chapter is possibly my favorite, with a wonderfully dark humor and a genuinely touching storyline set around reuniting a dead corpse bride with her lost lover.”
stability
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
75%
Overall, users report that the game runs well on modern systems with the help of ScummVM, but there are notable bugs that affect stability.
- “Thanks to ScummVM, it runs great and authentically on modern systems.”
- “The game is incredibly buggy!”
- “There are so many bugs that it's hard to enjoy the experience.”
- “The stability issues make it nearly unplayable.”
replayability
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
Players note that the ability to eliminate unused items enhances replayability, allowing for a more tailored experience. However, this feature may also make the game slightly easier, as it reduces unnecessary challenges during playthroughs.
- “This will increase your replayability, allowing you to eliminate certain items you know aren’t used at a particular part, making the mega-game a little easier.”
- “This will increase your replayability, but it also makes the mega-game a little easier since you can eliminate certain items you know aren’t used at a particular part.”

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17h Median play time

13h Average play time

8h Main story

10h Completionist

6-20h Spent by most gamers

*Based on 4 analyzed playthroughs

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Frequently Asked Questions

The Curse of Monkey Island is a puzzle game with fantasy, comedy and historical themes.

The Curse of Monkey Island is available on PC, Mac OS and Windows.

The main story can be completed in around 8 hours, while the entire game is estimated to take about 10 hours to finish. On average players spend around 13 hours playing The Curse of Monkey Island.

The Curse of Monkey Island was released on March 22, 2018.

The Curse of Monkey Island was developed by LucasArts.

The Curse of Monkey Island has received overwhelmingly positive reviews from players. Most players liked this game for its humor but disliked it for its grinding.

The Curse of Monkey Island is a single player game.

Similar games include Return to Monkey Island, Indiana Jones and the Fate of Atlantis, Broken Sword, Thimbleweed Park, The Dig and others.

The Curse of Monkey Island

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