In October 1990, three of Lucasfilm's masterminds—Ron Gilbert, Tim Schafer and Dave Grossman—released a graphic adventure that would be etched into the hearts and minds of an entire generation. I'm talking about The Secret of Monkey Island, a story inspired by the golden age of piracy, which throws a peculiar enthusiast into the heart of Mêlée Island, wrapped in a crisis with terrified pirates, an implacable ghost, a fascinating governor seeking re-election, unscrupulous merchants, and "experts" of dubious skill.
Lucasfilm Games' journey as a video game developer began in May 1982, but it was in 1985 that their initial titles hit the market. Ballblazer and Rescue on Fractalus! were part of the first wave, The Eidolon and Koronis Rift came in the second, and it would be a mistake not to mention Habitat for the Commodore 64, ancestor of today's MMORPGs. However, Lucasfilm is synonymous with adventures, and four decades later, that hasn't changed.
The first [adventure] was based on Labyrinth, a classic fantasy musical with Jennifer Connelly and the incomparable David Bowie. A year later (October 5, 1987, to be precise) came Maniac Mansion, an absolute success from every point of view, and one we'll likely visit in the future. In 1988, Lucasfilm published Zak McKracken and the Alien Mindbenders, and in 1989, they returned to another franchise with Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, proving it's possible to make good games inspired by films.
In 1990, Lucasfilm decided to explore experimental territory with Loom, a much more adult and dark story than usual, which uses a modified version of the SCUMM system, replacing verbs and actions with musical notes. However, in October of that same year, Lucasfilm returned to a more colorful and humorous profile for its new adventure: The Secret of Monkey Island.
The Secret of Monkey Island: Step Aside Jack Sparrow, Here Comes Guybrush Threepwood
The game begins with the arrival of our hero, Guybrush Threepwood, to the strange Mêlée Island, with a single objective: to become a pirate. On the surface, Mêlée seems like the place for that activity, but young Guybrush quickly discovers that the island is virtually paralyzed. On one hand, Governor Elaine Marley seeks re-election, something simple considering she's the only available option. Then we have an annoyed and obsessed sheriff, Fester Shinetop, much more sinister than he appears. And thirdly, we find all the pirates on land, frightened by the activities of the fearsome pirate LeChuck, transformed into a vengeful ghost who terrorizes the seas.
LeChuck not only wants to reduce piracy to zero to control everything, but also seeks the love (definitely unrequited) of Governor Marley. Initially, the governor invited him to dinner at her mansion, but faced with his obvious obsession and incessant advances, Elaine told him "drop dead," which he apparently took literally. It's supposed (and it's a big "supposed") that LeChuck died in a storm while searching for the Secret of Monkey Island to impress the governor. Guybrush's arrival in Mêlée, his desire to become a pirate, and Elaine's interest in the young apprentice put our hero in LeChuck's sights almost immediately.
Once Guybrush completes the trials that make him an official and certified pirate (defeating the Sword Master, stealing the Idol of Many Hands from the governor's mansion, and discovering the hidden treasure of Mêlée), the situation changes for the worse: LeChuck kidnaps the governor and flees to Monkey Island with her. His next step is to obtain a ship, which requires talking to Stan, a shady salesman with a terrible reputation, and the shopkeeper, who wouldn't give credit even to his own mother. Finally, Guybrush needs a crew, and we know the pirates on the island want nothing to do with LeChuck, so he must look in not-so-common places… as if there were anything common on Mêlée.
The most impressive thing? This is just the first part! Guybrush not only needs to reach Monkey Island despite his crew (which is generally useless), but he also has to resolve a conflict between a group of cannibals and a crazy hermit named Herman Toothrot, and find a way to destroy LeChuck and rescue the governor. Of course… one thing is Guybrush having a plan, and another is Guybrush carrying it out.
The adventure can be complex at times due to the subtlety or timing required in certain solutions, and suffer some instances of grind (for example, learning all the insults and their responses before facing the Sword Master), but The Secret of Monkey Island never loses its humor or dynamics. Moreover, the multiple references to previous Lucasfilm games make it much more interesting, and they always steal a smile when we least expect it.
"What if I want it on Windows?"
The special edition of The Secret of Monkey Island with enhanced graphics and classic mode included is available through platforms like GOG and Steam at very accessible prices. Alternatively, anyone with access to the original files can use ScummVM (undoubtedly the best tool for running Lucasfilm/LucasArts titles), or use DOSBox with its default configuration of 3000 cycles (the Monkey Island executable throws errors on too fast environments).
Once you've finished the game, I recommend immediately continuing with its sequel, LeChuck's Revenge, just as good as the first adventure. Why? Because that will leave you chronologically ready to face the new title in the franchise, Return to Monkey Island. The reception from critics and the public has been excellent so far, not surprising knowing that Ron Gilbert himself was at the helm of its development. What are you waiting for? Return to the Caribbean with Monkey Island!
