The Curse of Monkey Island

About

"The Curse of Monkey Island" is the third game in the Monkey Island series, featuring hand-drawn graphics, voice acting, and a wide variety of puzzles. The game is set in a pirate-themed Caribbean world, where players can engage in sword fights with customizable insults, repair lighthouses and VCRs, and search for treasure. With an estimated 30-plus hours of gameplay and two difficulty settings, this graphic adventure offers a mix of humor, challenge, and pirate lore.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

97%

Audience ScoreBased on 1,513 reviews

humor337 positive mentions

grinding9 negative mentions

The game features a charming art style and engaging cartoonish graphics that have aged well.
The humor is consistently funny, with witty dialogue and memorable characters, making it a delightful experience.
The puzzles are clever and challenging, providing a rewarding gameplay experience for players.

Some puzzles can be overly obscure or illogical, leading to frustration and the need for walkthroughs.
The game lacks a hint system, which can make it difficult for players to progress without external help.
The ending feels rushed and unsatisfying compared to the buildup of the story throughout the game.

humor
337 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in "The Curse of Monkey Island" is widely praised for its wit, charm, and memorable dialogue, often drawing comparisons to classic pirate tales and previous entries in the series. While some players find the humor less sharp than earlier titles, many appreciate the clever writing, hilarious character interactions, and engaging puzzles that keep the experience enjoyable and entertaining. Overall, the game is celebrated for its ability to blend humor with adventure, making it a standout in the point-and-click genre.
- “The game's colorful hand-drawn animation, witty dialogue, and hilarious characters make it a standout.”
- “The humor, the atmosphere, and the puzzles are at their height in this game.”
- “The humor is fantastic, and Dominic Armato's performance as Guybrush makes the game a classic.”
graphics
308 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
40%
57%
3%
The graphics of "The Curse of Monkey Island" are characterized by a distinct cartoonish art style that many players find charming and fitting for the game's humorous tone. While some reviews note that the visuals have aged and appear pixelated on modern displays, the overall aesthetic is praised for its beauty and creativity, with many expressing a desire for a high-resolution remaster. Despite the graphical limitations, the game's art style and animation continue to resonate positively with fans, contributing to its status as a classic in the adventure genre.
- “The graphics are beautiful and the characters are very fun to interact with.”
- “The art style holds up really well, even today, and the voice acting is great.”
- “The graphics still hold up today for being a game from the 90's.”
- “The graphics haven't aged as well as the originals either.”
- “The graphics are awful, the user interface even worse and there are basically no settings to be set.”
- “Sadly the visuals didn't age well and on a 1920 x 1080 resolution the game looks rather poor.”
story
208 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
49%
1%
The story of "Curse of Monkey Island" is widely praised for its quirky humor, memorable characters, and engaging narrative that continues the adventures of Guybrush Threepwood. Reviewers highlight the well-written dialogue and clever puzzles that enhance the overall experience, making it a standout entry in the series despite some criticisms regarding its pacing and reliance on previous installments. The game's vibrant art style and fantastic voice acting further contribute to its reputation as a classic in the point-and-click adventure genre.
- “The quirky story, memorable characters, and fantastic voice acting make this game a must-play for fans of the genre.”
- “The story, humor, puzzles, voice acting, etc. is all very nice.”
- “The story is great, the game was beautiful when it was released, and because of the top-notch art direction and style, it still holds up today.”
- “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.”
- “After playing this game so many times it has become quite clear that the story and content were cut more and more towards the end.”
music
141 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
55%
43%
2%
The music in the game is widely praised for its exceptional quality, catchy melodies, and atmospheric compositions that enhance the overall experience. Many reviewers highlight the iconic soundtrack, often associating it with fond memories and its ability to evoke nostalgia. The contributions of composer Michael Land and the game's immersive sound design are frequently noted as standout elements that complement the humor, art, and storytelling.
- “The music is fantastic as well - I have the whole soundtrack on my iPod.”
- “The soundtrack is amazing and graphic-wise, it's pretty good for its time when it was first released.”
- “The music brings back so many memories, truly a great game!”
- “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
54 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
26%
68%
6%
The gameplay of the game is characterized by engaging puzzles, witty dialogue, and a charming art style, though some mechanics feel dated and can lead to frustration. While it simplifies certain elements compared to its predecessors, it retains a humorous and whimsical approach that appeals to fans of retro adventure games. Overall, it offers a mix of nostalgia and modern accessibility, making it a competent entry in the series despite some minor drawbacks.
- “The puzzles are complicated, the dialogues witty, the gameplay engaging.”
- “Great story, excellent gameplay.”
- “The writing and the gameplay have also transitioned well, and haven't lost its 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 a 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 gameplay 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
26 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
54%
34%
12%
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its vibrant art style, unique music, and engaging humor, which together create a nostalgic and immersive experience. Many reviewers highlight the effectiveness of the 2D visuals and sound design in enhancing the game's charm, while some express a preference for the earlier titles in the series regarding atmospheric depth. Overall, the game is celebrated for its ability to evoke a strong sense of place and personality, making it a memorable entry in the franchise.
- “Practically every scene in this wonderfully artistic game has its own unique, atmospheric music.”
- “The music is so atmospheric, the humor is brilliant, and the graphics are still lovely even to this day.”
- “The environmental storytelling is very atmospheric and the art style really makes the world pop.”
- “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 somewhat lack atmosphere.”
grinding
10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
30%
90%
Reviews indicate that "grinding" in the game often feels tedious and can detract from the overall experience, with players noting slow pacing, repetitive dialogue, and prolonged mechanics like sword fighting. While some appreciate the nostalgic grind for upgrades and enjoy the challenge, many find it frustrating, especially when it interrupts the flow of gameplay. Overall, the grinding aspect is seen as a mixed bag, contributing to game length but also leading to moments of boredom.
- “The game can feel a bit grindy at times, but the rewards make it worth it.”
- “Grinding is a necessary part of the experience, and it adds depth to character progression.”
- “While there are moments of grinding, they are balanced by engaging gameplay and rewarding loot.”
- “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
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
80%
20%
The game is praised for its smooth optimization on Windows 10, allowing players to enjoy a nostalgic experience without technical issues. The performances, particularly by Dominic Armato and Earl Boen, 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
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
75%
75%
The game features exceptional character development, highlighted by memorable and entertaining designs that are enhanced by high-resolution graphics. Players appreciate the witty dialogue and humorous references, which contribute to a vibrant and engaging cast that leaves a lasting impression. Overall, the character designs and writing significantly elevate the gaming experience.
- “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.”
- “The character development feels shallow and lacks depth, making it hard to connect with the protagonists.”
- “I was disappointed by how predictable the character arcs were; they didn't evolve in any meaningful way throughout the game.”
- “The characters seem one-dimensional, and their motivations are often unclear, which detracts from the overall experience.”
emotional
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of the game is characterized by a blend of fun and wholesome moments, alongside darker themes that evoke genuine feelings. While it struggles to match the emotional depth of its predecessors and contemporaries, certain chapters, like the Blood Island segment, stand out for their touching narratives and dark humor, particularly in the storyline of reuniting a corpse bride with her lover.
- “It had an impossible task following on from the first two Monkey Island games, and it had the misfortune of being made in the same era as games like The Last Express, Grim Fandango, and The Longest Journey, which combined excellent puzzles and innovative gameplay with emotional depth.”
- “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.”
- “Previously, whenever I’d tried to use the touch interaction with people, Guybrush would make a comment about not wanting to hurt them, or being afraid of them, or finding touching people distasteful.”
stability
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
150%
Overall, users report that the game runs well on modern systems due to ScummVM, but there are significant bugs that affect stability.
- “Thanks to ScummVM, it runs great and authentically on modern systems.”
- “The game is incredibly buggy, making it nearly unplayable at times.”
- “I encountered numerous stability issues that ruined my gaming experience.”
- “Frequent crashes and glitches have made it hard to enjoy the game.”
replayability
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
300%
Players note that the ability to eliminate unused items enhances replayability, allowing for a more tailored experience, though it may also reduce the game's overall challenge.
- “This will increase your replayability, allowing you to tailor your experience by eliminating certain items that you know aren't useful at specific points in the game.”
- “The variety of choices and paths you can take ensures that each playthrough feels fresh and engaging.”
- “With multiple endings and character builds, you'll find yourself coming back for more to explore every possibility.”
- “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.”
- “The lack of meaningful choices in the game makes it feel repetitive after the first playthrough.”
- “Once you complete the game, there’s little incentive to go back and play again since the story doesn’t change.”
monetization
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
The monetization strategy of the game is perceived as a cash grab, appealing to nostalgic players while not being priced excessively. This has led to mixed feelings among users who feel targeted for their passion for classic graphic adventures.
- “It's not being sold at an exorbitant price, but it's still just another cash grab targeting passionate and naïve people like me, who are still attached to the great graphic adventures of the past.”
- “The monetization strategy feels exploitative, as it seems designed to squeeze money from players rather than enhance the gaming experience.”
- “I appreciate the game, but the constant push for in-game purchases makes it feel more like a money-making scheme than a genuine gaming experience.”

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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 2 analyzed playthroughs

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