Let's Talk About The Return to Monkey Island Game Art

Return to monkey island’s art and design choice has been a very controversial amongst some fans of the game. Some love it and some, like me are not 100% invested but and hyped nonetheless. In this video we discuss the game art for Return to Monkey island.
I like the graphics in the return to monkey island… except the faces. I think it’s the eyes.
This is technically monkey island 6 but more like a replacement for monkey island 3. This is because Lucasfilm games have finally given Ron Gilbert permission to make a new Monkey Island games for 2022 and he has been working hard to bring his third game to life as Return to Monkey Island. Lucasfilm has licensed the game to Ron Gilbert's Terrible Toybox and Devolver Digital. The game is set to release this year after being in production for the last two years.
Return to Monkey Island will pick up exactly where Monkey Island 2: LeChuck's Revenge left off. In a carnival after the reveal that LeChuck is Guybrush's creepy little brother Chucky. Whether this will be revealed to be some sort of dream or hypnosis or genuine reality, we will have to wait and see.
Ron Gilbert is joined by Monkey island veteran Dave Grossman, who helped develop the game. Dave Grossman worked on the original games as well as led the development of the fifth game Tales of Monkey Island.
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#monkeyisland #returntomonkeyisland #pointandclick

[@KevinGeneFeldman]

I think the graphics are horrendous, as if its intentionally ugly in some kind of modern art esque pretentiousness. It doesn't have to be pixel art, curse of monkey island proved that. But does it have to have this kind of amateur level animation where it looks like everything was keyframed by hand without any sense of weight or acceleration? The whole thing is just ugly and thats a big thing in an adventure game where you're going to be spending all your time standing around getting really tired of certain locations because you have to stare at every little detail for hours hoping to find some kind of path forward. If the game is ugly, that frustration turns into a queasy feeling of stomach sickness as well.

[@harlindonn]

I still have to get used to the new art style, but the biggest downside for me is the total absence of beautifull background landscapes. As a child i used to just look at them in awe, and it made the game complete.

[@shadowrage2593]

"I still have to get used to the new art style". LOL. Are you a masochist?

[@CaminoAir]

The view from the mountain on Monkey Island is gorgeous, even if it is still a different approach. I do see your point though. I didn't like the new art style in the previews, but it quickly grew on me when I started playing the game. By now we are used to radically different visuals over the series. I think it is very expressive and technically impressive. The drawback is that it is the only Gilbert Monkey Island game with a significantly different appearance and that creates a disconnect with the idea that this is the conclusion to his first two games.

[@brianbagnall3029]

It's really too bad they couldn't have gotten Steve Purcell. His artwork in MI1 and 2 was brilliant.

[@PointandClickAdventures]

Yes i agree but i’m sure the game will be great fun! It is a ron gilbert game after all

[@High.on.Life_DnB]

I would have loved it if they used the art style of the remastered MI1&2 versions, but I think I can get used to this new art style :)

[@PointandClickAdventures]

@@High.on.Life_DnB i think this is why everyone is so stressed by it all lol the special editions made the look of all the games similar where as the originals were much different to 3

[@blandalbloot1138]

Peter Chan is actually the main artist responsible for the look of the first two MI games - particularly MI2, which was the first game where they were actually able to scan his art in and digitize it (rather than him drawing it and it being recreated by hand on computer pixel by pixel). Chan did the backgrounds, I believe, while Purcell did character work. Chan was never really happy with how MI2 looked, because the scanning technology was new and they didn't yet know how to clean it up once it had been scanned in at the much lower resolutions that were available at the time. The remastered MI2 actually looks much, much closer to his original art (if you compare his concept art from 1991 to the backgrounds in MI2 remastered, they're nearly identical).

[@brianbagnall3029]

@@blandalbloot1138 It's the characters in Return to Monkey Island that put me off. The work Steve Purcell did in the manuals and box art looked fantastic back then. Today it would be a 1:1 representation on the screen.

[@gustavosantos106]

I've been 30 years wondering how Ron's gonna resolve that Carnival ending and finally I'm going to find out.

[@PointandClickAdventures]

I think it’s a voodoo lady spell

[@gustavosantos106]

@@PointandClickAdventures There have been some vodoo lady conspiracies lately. That would be an interesting twist. Although I think I remember in Pirates of the Caribbean 3 they did the vodoo lady plot twist, and that would be foreshadowed and not unexpected, but it would make sense in a way. Oooh, I'm eager to see what happens!

[@ChristopherMaier.]

Curse had SOUL and incredible art.

[@PointandClickAdventures]

It did. Still lots of people were disappointed with it on release though

[@connorm.anderton363]

In my personal opinion, the art style from what I've seen obliterates any sense of depth, atmosphere or adventure that the first two games had especially, and from what I'm hearing about the storyline, it sounds completely uninspired and a not-so-sly attempt by ageing designers at trying to make an extra buck or two. Again, it's my personal opinion, which (Ron Gilbert...cough!) I am allowed to have and share, and I will be pleasantly surprised if the humour and story is bang on.

[@PointandClickAdventures]

What have you heard about the storyline?

[@connorm.anderton363]

@@PointandClickAdventures That, as expected, while Guybrush is in a deep depression after the events of 2, Elaine is no longer Governor, Stan's in prison and young Pirates have let Melee Island become completely run-down, so it's up to the Hero to make everything right again.....only this time, and here's what I can't be bothered with, you play as a number of characters including Elaine, to "branch out the lore", which I think strips Guybrush of that focal charm and is a very standard go-to device in terms of plot direction (Maniac Mansion and Thimbleweed Park worked that way but they were very different).

[@PointandClickAdventures]

@@connorm.anderton363 fair enough. I think it will work well like it did in thimbleweed

[@rswindol]

Is it toxic to say the art is awful? Because it really is hideous. Certainly bad enough to keep me from purchasing the game. Ron Gilbert shouldn't be surprised that people don't like it.

[@PointandClickAdventures]

No, an opinion is fine, but it’s those who were throwing insults that were being toxic :)

[@rswindol]

@@PointandClickAdventures I've noticed that the two often get conflated by the people on the receiving end. They will then use that as an excuse to blame the fans, rather than accept any responsibility for their own mistakes.

[@Feegles]

Monkey Island 2 was my first ever game on SVGA monitor. Yeah, the rig was DX25/2MB RAM/20MB HDD and fuck if I know what video it had. Was an original game with the paper code generator and everything (3.5 floppy disks). Since my native language was not even latin and my age was merely 9 year old, I had to take my mother huge english dictionaries and look for stuff like „pull up”, „take” and all the weird buttons (at that time) the game had to operate. I remember the moment I managed to pick up a bucket and it actually gone in my inventory I invited every kid of my building to celebrate it. Props to the game that gave me more english lessons than any teacher ever (and that is true). Of course I'm 42 now, I speak 4 more languages and I play World of Warcraft, but can't pass the chance to see what my first ever game has evolved to. P.S. Sorry to say I was secretly expecting (hell if I know why, must be something in my head) to see different kind of art style. Well, that will have to do, I'm definately giving a shot at this game.

[@PointandClickAdventures]

That’s a really awesome story about how the game helped you! I hope return to monkey island is all you want and more!

[@ravenb3048]

It's not the same look as the previous games but I like it. For some reason LeChuck feels perfect in this artstyle to me.

[@PointandClickAdventures]

It’s grown on me so much. Yes, LeChuck looks great

[@mrmaxaxl]

I'm sorry but no. It looks like a 3 year old drew it. Extremely ugly.

[@swisspikeman8290]

@@mrmaxaxl a very talented 3 year old

[@MrRirate]

@@mrmaxaxl lol what is the english word for "mauvaise foi"

[@Pneumanon]

It's not the art style is 'different' or that it's not pixel art. It's that this art style is badly executed on a technical level. It doesn't look good. Shape language, proportions, values, saturation, composition etc. These things are not well managed, with the result that a lot of elements and/or scenes are difficult to visually comprehend. You can't tell what you're looking at or where you're supposed to be looking. It's just bad visual design. Apart from being unappealing to look at, bad visual design also makes the game more frustrating to play. A good comparison would be Jenny LeClue, which has a similarly vibrant 2D art style but is well designed. Even in trailers of Jenny LeClue it is very clear what is going on in any given shot, because the elements within the scene are well thought out. I can't say the same for Return to Monkey Island.

[@stevenlodge1787]

Just imagine all games re done in the art style of monkey island 1 OR 3 I think that would be absolutely amazing!!! one can dream!

[@Socrates...]

I wish they could just render the faces better

[@PointandClickAdventures]

I think it’s the eyes that i dont like

[@pilouuuu]

@@PointandClickAdventures I don't like their noses.

[@mrmaxaxl]

I think it's ridiculous that the artists can't handle critisism. Look at the movie "Sonic". Sonic looked like shit at first and the fans let them know about it. Then they LISTENED to the fans. Thank god. And changed him to a much better version. Why is it so horrible when we, the fans complain about this ugly and stale artwork? Are they little babies?

[@swisspikeman8290]

Yeah let’s do a sonic….. not gonna happen. It would mean completely remaking the game. And why should they change it? Maybe the babies are those whining. If you can’t play a game due to the art style/graphics you are missing out on a lot of good games. I mean, minecraft looks far worse than this and look how popular that game is! Minecraft looks like absolute shit

[@mrmaxaxl]

@@swisspikeman8290 😂 Ok but still. What is the point in making an ugly game? I love the series and will propably try it anyway.

[@ロボロボ-p7h]

Have you ever considered the fact that the artist used this art style not by some kind of mistake, but because that's his own personal art style, and the game came out exactly how it was meant to be?as a full time artist, I can tell you that no one in the world has the right to tell "change this/change that" to an artist.Are you able to make something better? then do it.otherwise it's just a kid whining. artists can handle criticism if they are constructive and not just a request of changing something.We don't make fan service.If people don't understand a particular art style, it's not an artist's fault.To conclude, an artist, a serious and professional one, will never change his personal art style and vision, just because a bunch of upset users asked for it.To those people I'd say, do something better and then talk.But if you were able to create something, then you wouldn't criticize someone else's art.you would respect it.People who are able to create, don't lose their time criticizing other people's work.

[@mrmaxaxl]

@@ロボロボ-p7h Well that is very nice of you to say. However I completely disagree. People have the right to say and criticize whatever they want!! Would you say the same for politicians? Is it forbidden to criticize them too? Like in an authoritanian dictatorship were people are afraid to be punished just because they have critical views of their leadership. Do you love every single painting you have ever seen? Do you think they are ALL amazing? Do you love every single song you have ever heard? Including rap, heavy metal, classical music. dance music, techno, Country music etc. Do you really? Or perhaps deep down inside you think: gee, that song was really crap and not for me. If you love it all than I am happy for you. You are mother Theresa. Good for you. But I am just an ordinary guy who likes some things and dislikes other things. It is my god given right. And I am not ashamed of it. This art style is ugly and it fucking hurts my eyes just looking at it. That is my personal view. If you think it's amazingly beautiful then hurray for you.

[@LettersAndNumbers300]

The wobbly animation puts me off. I'm find with the colours and lines actually. It's like those string puppets children make at school...

[@PointandClickAdventures]

Strange, doesn’t look wobbly to me. Hopefully you grow to love it

[@OddAntSounds]

I really wish these graphics were the continuity of his April fool joke

[@PointandClickAdventures]

Haha.

[@hmat3255]

The difference is, Return to Monkey Island's art just doesn't look good compared to all the Monkey Island games.

[@PointandClickAdventures]

I dunno….escape was pretty bad imo

[@ignacioamf]

This Guacamelee-like artsyle make the characters look like puppets and makes the characters less charismatic, I personally don’t like it at all and I think the animations look quite bad because of the limitations of the artstyle. So aesthetically is a big let down for me but I am a big fan and I will buy the game anyway, I am sure it will be fun but It is disappointing to me because with any other artstyle it would have been GREAT

[@PointandClickAdventures]

I think it will grow on people. I felt this way with curse but love it now

[@ScribbleNuts]

@@PointandClickAdventures Don't be so sure about that. Have you met a single person where the art style of Monkey Island 4 grew on them? Or a single person who thinks MI4 has the best style out of all? lol

[@gustavosantos106]

@@ScribbleNuts My sister enjoyed Monkey 4, It's the only Monkey she played. She refused to play the others because she was not into computers and had some reading problems back then. But because it was released on Playstation and with translated voice over, she enjoyed the game, its puzzles, jokes, and music. Even today she remembers some silly joke from there.

[@boomdangleofficial]

@@ScribbleNuts oh god, I hated 4 when It came out! This looks like flat paper puppets!

[@lirpa5]

In my years playing games, I've never allowed fan opinion of art style influence my thoughts on a games quality. I still remember the early 2000s message boards whining about Wind Wakers cell style. Today the term Celda is used as a term of endearment but back in the 2000s it was used to mock the game. Ignore these malcontents they add nothing of value to the gaming community.

[@PointandClickAdventures]

Yeah, i think the game will be great

[@tonymontana822]

I don't care about the art style ,i''m buying the game even if it looks like minesweeper with pirate icons. I can't wait to see how Ron finishes the story so many years later . I'm hyped as hell

[@PointandClickAdventures]

I can’t wait to find out about the theme park

[@tonymontana822]

@@PointandClickAdventures Hell yeah , was it a dream ,was it an illusion . I'm getting 2 weeks off work when the game launches :D:D

[@High.on.Life_DnB]

@@tonymontana822 I'm still puzzled about the theme park hahaha. Would be awesome if the new game started in the theme park, and as you go on rides you "Return to Monkey Island" ;)

[@High.on.Life_DnB]

But also I hope he doesn't really finish the story yet, and there's going to be more to come in the future 🥰

[@PointandClickAdventures]

@@High.on.Life_DnB yes, i’d love to see another game

[@brutussmithers6341]

Yeah. Not a fan of the art. Something about it, idk. It’s gives me a headache. Sad too. One of my favorite games from my past.

[@PointandClickAdventures]

You might like Lucy Dreaming. It’s a hilarious pixel art point and click. Dominic Armato (guybrush) is making a cameo in the game. I have a couple of vids on here about it

[@MrRirate]

Happy they don't keep the arstyle of remakes

[@PointandClickAdventures]

Yes this is new and refreshing

[@S.Y.S.64738]

I waited 31 years for this. Really looking forward to play this. Going to play through Monkey 1 and 2 as an appetizer before it drops ... Arrr

[@PointandClickAdventures]

Its going to be great!!

[@SlartiMarvinbartfast]

First time I saw the screenshots I wasn't at all impressed, however having now seen it in motion it's seriously growing on me.

[@PointandClickAdventures]

I am exactly the same. It looks so much better animated!

[@High.on.Life_DnB]

Yeah I'm still getting used to the art style but must say it's growing on me too! :D And it's SOOOO much better than any effort to make the game in 3D!

[@superbravo666]

Curse Of The Monkey, but also MI2 in VGA style was 2 best graphics. TCOMI in SVGA with Bill Tiller art was amazing game.

[@PointandClickAdventures]

Curse was great

[@NawiTheCore]

I *HATE* the way the characters look. I didn't necessarily wanted to the old pixel art style (in fact I like the cartoonish style from "Curse of MI" the most), but this style kinda ruins the game for me. I don't know what Ron was thinking. This is a sequel for the hard-core fans. Why did he think it was a good idea to reinvent the wheel?

[@LettersAndNumbers300]

He wants the moneyz! If it was for hardcore fans it wouldn't matter that pixels don't appeal to the younger generations.

[@PointandClickAdventures]

@@LettersAndNumbers300 yes, it does need to appeal to a wider audience to be worth making and potentially lead to more games.

[@bentaylor4203]

Different strokes for different folks. I personally adore the new art style and I've been playing Monkey Island ever since it released when I was 4 years old! I enjoyed Thimbleweed Park and I'm really looking forward to playing Return to Monkey Island.

[@bstar777777]

I hate the look and probably won't be buying it. I am happy for everyone else that wants this game and is excited for it. I'm fine to say this game wasn't made for me, a 45 year old fan of the first 2 games that wanted something much closer to those games. I wish Ron and his new relationship with Disney all the best. Can't complain, at least I got Thimbleweed park. The personal attacks and brigading of Ron's blog is really sad. No need for any of that.

[@PointandClickAdventures]

That’s fair enough my friend. Hopefully you will see enough of the storyline later down the line to be interested. There are some amazing indie pixel art point and clicks in the works. Lucy dreaming and one call the Black Hawk. But yes, i think they are certainly targeting a new audience

[@bstar777777]

@@PointandClickAdventures Both look interesting, especially Adventures of the Black Hawk.

[@PointandClickAdventures]

@@bstar777777 yes, i’m really looking forward to seeing more of that

[@NawiTheCore]

That's how I feel. It's not that I don't like this art style; I actively find it revolting. It feels like a Picasso-style painting of Monkey Island, not like Monkey Island.

[@PointandClickAdventures]

@@NawiTheCore that’s ok. There’s plenty of awesome point and click indie games being released by the end of the year

[@gamechanger2473]

As a huge fan of the series and owning it way back in the Commodore Amiga days, having to swap out 11 floppy discs for Monkey Island 2 and it being my favourite all time game, this new one doesn't have a bad art style but its also not good for a Monkey Island game IMO. Somehow it has totally lost its original charm, it lacks something that made the games so appealing- I can't really describe it properly but it feels a bit too generic for a Monkey Island game. Monkey Island had a lot of visual gags and humour that I just don't see in this new one which leaves me firmly on the fence as to buying it or not, which is a shame being such a huge fan. If I had my way, MK2 would have been the last one made because its just too perfect of a point & click adventure game.

[@PointandClickAdventures]

Yeah, monkey island 2 was my favourite as well. I think my preference would have been a modern MI3 look but guybrush looking like he does in MI2 (not tall and thin like in MI3). But this style will probably appeal more to the newer generation of gamer and if it leads to success and reviving the point and click genre then i shall be happy. There are some amazing indie point and clicks being released at the end of the year so it will be great if they get a good boost

[@matteojb]

Why does guybrush have a red nose??? And why the heads squish when a character talks? Honestly, this seems animated in PowerPoint ...the animation is so poorly executed that is distracting!

[@PointandClickAdventures]

Maybe he has allergies :-)

[@kj3686]

I would respectfully propose that many who love this series are middle aged like me. This series looks a little child cartoon like and juvenile tbh. I did like the SEs of 1 and 2 and was expecting something around that styling and im not sure if I'll grow to like it as it dosent seem to fit with my age, despite what the plot or puzzles may be like.

[@PointandClickAdventures]

Yes i agree. I’m 37 myself.

[@sparkyAR]

I don´t like the art style, but what bothers me most is the clunky animations, it looks like the adobe flash animations from 20 years ago, on the upside it looks vibrant and colorful... having said all that, seeing grown ups harassing devs and artists because they don´t like something... yikes

[@PointandClickAdventures]

Yeah that’s the thing. It’s fine to not like it but there’s no need for people harassing the devs. Do you think you will still play it regardless of the art?

[@sparkyAR]

@@PointandClickAdventures I will eventually, but I´ll wait for the reviews. I also didn´t like some of the character designs in CMI (specially guybrush) but I ended up enjoying it. But EMI was too much of a departure in gameplay, style and design so I skipped it... So Im crossing fingers and hoping for the best... ps. You got a new suscriber from Argentina

[@kosmosyche]

Hate the art style. With a passion. Will still play it regardless.

[@PointandClickAdventures]

Haha maybe it will grow on you like curse grew on me. Hated it on release

[@mrtimo3822]

Art hurts my eyes

[@F4TAL0B5OL3T1ON]

1:17 i'm sorry but no, it's really not

[@PointandClickAdventures]

Haha Ron’s opinion not mine

[@F4TAL0B5OL3T1ON]

@@PointandClickAdventures oh i know, i just don't agree with him but i would never troll anyones social media over it, just wanted to share my opinion, i'm still buying the game 100% can't wait

[@matteojb]

Any VGA, XGA, pixel art, SGFJKGA, Amiga talks are irrelevant...these opinions don't matter. And if they do to you, you're probably old and entitled. Now, back to 2022, the problem with this art style is not the visual language (that is always subjective!), it is the sloppy and flash style animation. They look cheap...and probably are. No excuses for such a poor effort in 2022. If it was 1999 that'd be OK, but today it just feels like a missed opportunity.

[@solitaryinvoker9977]

I'm just happy and excited for getting a new Monkey game. Now, I don't mind the artstyle looking "different" (I didn't care for Monkey 4's style either, but I still played it and enjoyed it even through the poor controls choice), but unlike the difference in artstyle of Monkey 3 or Monkey 4, this game looks very similar to an indie game in artstyle. I don't like this artstyle at all, it's unimmersive. But I'll still play this game and I still expect that I'll love it as I love the entire Monkey series ❤️ I'm just so excited that we're getting a new Monkey! ^^

[@PointandClickAdventures]

This is exactly how i would expect all fans to react if they didn’t like the art. Just pure excitement at getting a new monkey island game to play

[@boblabinette]

Looks promising. I don't expect it to reach the genius art style behind Escape but I am sure it's going to end being a close second.

[@MrPrender82]

I disliked the art style of Escape. To be fair, I disliked a LOT of things about Escape. Guybrush looked way too young and boyish, even compared to Curse, despite the fact it took place sometime after Curse.

[@MorleyGames1]

Great vid!

[@PointandClickAdventures]

Ty

[@animal1nstinct394]

It's the main reason I decided not to get it

[@Gylfi0]

Tho I like the environment (the colors REALLY feel like the first game, they even give an EGA vibe), the characters just aren't good, they look exactly like Broken Age (same artist, I assume).

[@PointandClickAdventures]

Yes that was my initial thoughts too. But i think it looks loads better when it’s animated. Not sure if it’s the same artist. I will have to google it

[@High.on.Life_DnB]

I'm hoping they'll make a retro video filter that makes it all look pixelated AF just like MI1 & 2 :D

[@Gylfi0]

@@High.on.Life_DnB that'd be fantastic, but I doubt there can be such a thing as a pixel filter. Maybe If the game sells well (and if its any kinda good it will), they'll make a "special edition" in revenge art style and scumm engine.

[@High.on.Life_DnB]

@@Gylfi0 you might be surprised by how many indie games already use such filters to take some work of making the graphics look better and just write it off as being retro

[@High.on.Life_DnB]

But in this case it's not retro, it's pure nostalgia 😁

[@Okiyah]

People get attached to their own perception in thinking that the artists/game designer had no limits and they did it EXACTLY as they wanted. But its much more a result of compromises and "best they can do" with what they had. Honestly couldn't be bothered by Timbleweed returning to 3x3 menu of action verbs (made me quit the game). The artists back then weren't sketching with pixel, it was great art, REDUCED to pixels... Curse was my favorite MI, so I guess I'm more inclined to like this one. The visuals aren't lazy, it looks alive and full of atmosphere and I'm pretty sure that, not being the teenager I was back then, I will be much more critical of the story/dialogue/humour/plot.

[@PointandClickAdventures]

Yeah exactly this. I shall also be more concerned about the story and the puzzles

[@johns4651]

An option to switch between old school MI2 pixel art and current new graphics would have shut everyone up.

[@PointandClickAdventures]

Yeah but it would have taken too long to do i expect. Special editions just had one game to make

[@LettersAndNumbers300]

@@PointandClickAdventures too long is a matter of budget. The fans will happily wait for him to make it as perfect as he can.

[@PointandClickAdventures]

@@LettersAndNumbers300 yeah that’s true. But it would probably mean more than just re-making the art, which would probably be a big job in itself.

[@kcccc5682]

I really like the new style and would have been slightly disappointed with "more of the same." Pixel art has been done to death and while it's still frequently great, I'm glad to see a fresh new look. It's curious to see so many people suggesting the special editions style as an alternative. That was widely criticised at the time and I still dislike it. Just goes to show different and changing tastes I guess.

[@PointandClickAdventures]

Yes, it will be a fresh new look. I’m looking forward to it. The more i see, the more i love it

[@Alex-tf3hn]

I don`t understand whats wrong with SE graphics, to me it looks awesome. The new art style is not bad, i don`t like the look of the characters, they look so Nickelodeonish.

[@sinisternightmare]

My hypothesis is, that it's actually not THAT many people, who are upset about this artstyle, but they are just (as always) the most vocal group. I can see, why people have EXPECTED it to have a pixelart style, so it fits with the first two games, but THAT would've actually NOT been in the spirit of these games. The first two games weren't pixelart. They were all pixely, because that was the level of technology back then. But artistically Monkey Island was never an expression of gaming nostalgia like today's pixelart games. Anyways: I love the new style and I'm hyped! 🙂

[@PointandClickAdventures]

I can’t wait to play it.

[@superpos]

(sorry for the english, in advance...) _ 1) Pixel Art was just the resolution of the time (today low resolution), no reason to bring it back if not for nostalgia purposes. MI 2 is not that different from MI 1, is just more "worked", but basically the style is the same. MI 3 is the evolution, with bigger characters, higher resolution, etc. It's a pretty natural path. It actually evolved. Mi 4 actually tried to follow that path (badly) using 3D. MI Tales used 3D (because it's easier, once you created the characters etc, to make multiple episodes instead redrawing everything). Basically Mi Tales is what Mi 4 tried to be. RTMI instead looks like a graphic style revisitation. A kind of "deluxe 2" with a different story, for sure helped by the nowdays possibilities. _ But it doesn't look like an improvement (my opinion, always). _ 2) People today is used to all kind of art styles and graphic resolutions, coming from multiple sources, not only videogames. That's why everybody feels entitled to say something about, and it's not wrong (except the haters etc.. but they don't count). So this RTMI looks it has the graphic you show when you want to tell a story during a flashback and to make it clear you "downgrade" details and animations. More or less like in Kung Fu Panda end titles or flashbacks in "Kung Fu Panda - Secrets of Furious Five" and many other cartoons aimed to kids.. But in the gameplay the feeling is it has limited emotions, to me. Too stylized and "stylized" means lack of details and with that, lack of informations (whatching those arms and legs moving like a robot is really painful. Too many "pointed corners" in the graphics makes it look "rigid". The Backgrounds are ok, but I'm sure that everybody are ok with some BGs and some others totally not. _ 3) My opinion is RTMI could easily go for the graphic of MI already had, just improved with more definition to express even more the personalty of the characters, and using the possibilities graphic gives today. _ Said that, I really think that playing the game, when it will be released, the users will get used to the art style for the most part, and enjoy the game as it is. (the question is: why the need to get used when it could be easier?.. well...)

[@PointandClickAdventures]

Very interesting points! Thanks for such a detailed comment. Yes i think people will get used to it and i also agree it perhaps shouldn’t be so hard to adapt

[@jankjason]

Not only is it generic corporate art, but it has warpy flash animation about it which is so lackluster.

[@kaosstraxx4119]

I like it very much. The graphics are awesome and much better than the remakes of 1&2, which I didn't like

[@PointandClickAdventures]

I cant wait to play

[@MrPrender82]

I didn't like the SE remake of SoMI. Ended up playing it as the original sans voice unfortunately. I didn't mind the SE remake of Revenge. At least with Revenge you could opt to play it with original graphics including sound.

[@vixelis]

I actually like the art style, my only problem is Guybrush's face. It looks odd, and his nose...it's just... uh... no. If they could change that at least, it'd be great :p

[@PointandClickAdventures]

Haha my dislike was the faces too

[@Doughty321]

I’m just glad there’s another Monkey Island game coming out.

[@PointandClickAdventures]

Yes! I want to know the release date

[@High.on.Life_DnB]

@@PointandClickAdventures It's still planned for 2022 right? We should hear a date soon I'd imagine, or a delay as that's the trend with all games these days.

[@PointandClickAdventures]

@@High.on.Life_DnB yes i’m hoping we will get a release date soon. I expect these “monday island mondays” will announce it

[@drakocarrion]

It looks hideous, & I won't be playing it because of that, which is a huge disappointment considering how massive a fan of the series I have been to date. The thought of playing a game that looks like clipart animated in a shitty early 2000s flash style, which is what this abomination looks like, is repulsive to me.

[@PointandClickAdventures]

Fair enough. Plenty of good indie point and click games that may be more your style coming out at the end of the year

[@Flow-Joe]

@@PointandClickAdventures lol @ my comment being deleted. twice.

[@PointandClickAdventures]

@@Flow-Joe I didn’t delete them, i banned you from the channel because you’re just being ridiculous. Assuming you are that “just bored” account (or whatever it was called). If that wasn’t you then youtube must have blocked/deleted your messages based on the settings i have on the channel.

[@Flow-Joe]

@@PointandClickAdventures Way to welcome a new viewer. No I'm not that mentioned channel. But thanks for assuming. Never in the 20+ years on the internet have i met a word filter as strict as on your channel. Consider rethinking that. Sundayschool-tier edited comment: The worst part of it is, the game is finally back in the hand of its creator and he himself manages to make the graphics look so cheap, that i believe that's the actual reason. It was cheap. This has made the game from a non-brainer-buy to an if-i-ever-get-over-it-buy. I'm sure the rest about the game is great (will also wait for reviews though). 90% of it could be fixed with better faces. If some don't understand why the looks are that important: It's like buying a really good car (much power, low fuel usage, comfortable, ...), that looks Fiat Multipla (google it) tier ugly.

[@PointandClickAdventures]

@@Flow-Joe ok, then that guy wasn’t you which is why i put the disclaimer. My assumption was based on that being the ONLY channel i have removed/deleted from the channel. I can assure you that i didn’t delete your comments. I have tried to find them in hidden comments and they aren’t there either so i’m unsure of it being in the filter either. Normally filtered comments are when someone posts a link and cursing is usually still posted but goes in my review comment part which i normally just leave alone. So not sure what’s happened. Regarding the game, i agree, i initially hated the faces. I even posted a video about it. However i have grown to love it for what it is.

[@Alex-tf3hn]

The faces are ugly, a huge letdown. I hoped they`d go with the Curse style.

[@PointandClickAdventures]

I hated curse when it was first released. Love it now though

[@Alex-tf3hn]

@@PointandClickAdventures But why? It was so cool.

[@dennis4248]

It's a missed opportunity. If you look at Thimbleweed Park or even the Special Editions of the original 2 parts (maybe with a bit of improvement on the haircut of Guybrush in part 1), it's clear what would have been possible. And I think many expected Ron to return and give Monkey Island its soul back. I know many say the Curse was great, but to me, it was the first one that was out of canon. Although it's really nice, it's not Monkey Island. But yeah... looks like Ron thinks they are all canon. So who am I to judge. I just won't buy it and continue to consider the Monkey Island saga as consisting of only two parts.

[@whackman47]

I would have loved this to have been the Thimbleweed Park style... I actually thought TP was a trial run for what RtMI was going to look like all those years ago.

[@dennis4248]

@@whackman47 Would have been so nice.

[@dennis4248]

@@whackman47 There is something in me hoping that all of the videos we've seen so far are just ploys. That it's one giant hoax to set the standards really low and then surprise us with a beautiful game.

[@PointandClickAdventures]

Not gonna happen :(. Thimbleweed park had such a low playerbase compared to the new bigger console audience they want now

[@andreasheiss8441]

Good vid - thanks - agree with your arguments

[@PointandClickAdventures]

Thank you, glad you enjoyed it

[@Planetdune]

I'll play it, but would have preferred the Curse style.

[@PointandClickAdventures]

Curse was great. Maybe not so lanky characters though

[@reihayashilim3362]

I think its going to be great!

[@PointandClickAdventures]

Me too!!!

[@lordgaynondorf2148]

Looks nice to me. So far my favorite MI art style is the remake of 2. Anything but Escape ugly 3D.

[@PointandClickAdventures]

Agreed!

[@ChristopherMaier.]

Nothing wrong with 3D, Grim Fandango looked incredible. The artstyle was just dogshit in Escape.

[@brandonsalk4921]

Ime not playing it looks ridiculous

[@PointandClickAdventures]

Fair enough. Plenty of good indie point and clicks being released before the end of the year

[@swisspikeman8290]

Love the new art. Can’t wait to play

[@PointandClickAdventures]

Me too!

[@morrigan236]

This looks like every single mega corporation's ugly minimalist art style now.

[@PointandClickAdventures]

Looks fun though. Which style would you have preferred? Pixel art or like curse?

[@geoffreys78]

My daughter just finished 1 & 2 and finally made it to curse. She said she doesn't like it as much and said she thought it might be because of the art style. When you said some fans wanted the new style to be like Curse, I felt a bit sick in my stomach.

[@PointandClickAdventures]

Hahaha she sounds like i did when curse first was released. What does she think to RTMI?

[@geoffreys78]

@@PointandClickAdventures she did not express an opinion, but she definitely said she wants to play it.

[@ictchampion9329]

Love the look. Can’t wait to play

[@PointandClickAdventures]

Same!

[@hanat1313]

curse of monkey is the only game in the series that stood the test if time in terms of its art, so i say bring back the curse's art style.

[@PointandClickAdventures]

That’s very true to be honest

[@AaronWOfficial]

I honestly hate the games art. But I'm not going to let that detract from my enjoyment of the game. As long as it's funny, has crazy puzzles and a good story that's all I need. I didn't like the art for takes of monkey Island either but I enjoyed those games. In fact pretty much the only monkey Island game I dislike is escape

[@PointandClickAdventures]

Yes i’m the same regarding escape! Yes, there’s so much more to a game than the art. And it already looks like it will be a funny game

[@AaronWOfficial]

@@PointandClickAdventures I like how in the trailer they basically teased murray is not going to be in the game. Since murray says something like "ron gilbert said he would only make another monkey island game if...." and then gets knocked into the water off the screen. I am assuming he is not a fan of murray XD. Idk why, coz murray honestly one of my fav characters, some of the banter he has with guybrush over the rest of the franchise is hilarious. But if he don't like murray hes the original creator, I respect his decision to not include murray if that is the case. Anyhows, based on that 1 piece of dialogue from the trailer alone it seems to suggest it retains the same type of humour monkey island games always had

[@12Monkeysable]

I never wanted a pixel art styl, I wanna have this caribian flair due to the graphics.

[@PointandClickAdventures]

:-) i want to play it now!!!!!

[@davidbates3057]

I do wonder why some people are so angry over small things like this. I have to admit, I thought it was an interesting change, and it's not something that grabs me, but since when did art style ever define a game? And that's ignoring that Monkey Island game art has been different in literally every release, from the pixels of the original two, to the cartoon style of Curse (which I wasn't a huge fan of, either), to the terrible 3d blocks of Monkey 4, then the more refined cartoonish 3d that came with Tales. Even the ones that were closest, 1 & 2, were quite different in the subtle sense, and you can argue that the only reason they're so close is because that was the style of all adventure games at the time. TLDR: just seems really sad that so many are invested to get angry over art before they see what the game itself can deliver. And yeah, I'm not holding my breath that it will capture my heart like the originals (I've replayed the originals and they weren't quite as magical as I remember, either), but I'm just stoked to see Ron get to finish his IP.

[@PointandClickAdventures]

Yeah exactly this. If it people love the franchise it wouldn’t matter so much about the graphics. It is a shame but it’s also encouraging to see a lot of people saying that the more they see of it, the more it grows on them

[@Pneumanon]

What a strange thing to say. Art styles very often define a game visually, and the art is an aspect that enhances or detracts from the actual gameplay. In the case of Return to Monkey Island, I think the art is unpleasant to look at and therefore fewer people will choose to play it compared to a game that is more appealing to look at AND I think the visuals will likely make the game more frustrating to play from a gameplay perspective.

[@bottishg]

Love it!

[@TB-to8uy]

Still early but I'm liking what I see.

[@PointandClickAdventures]

I think it’s quite refreshing. Can’t wait to play it

[@TB-to8uy]

@@PointandClickAdventures Looking forward to book my trip back to Melee

[@PointandClickAdventures]

@@TB-to8uy for sure. Looks like they have done a great job of melee island

[@BixbySlater]

Love the new art style. Period.

[@PointandClickAdventures]

Awesome! I think stan is amazing in this

[@josegoncalves5048]

I don't like new art style,at least should be like monkey island special edition,where we could change to pixel art.fans expect the great end of the trilogy back in the days ,and not a new made grafical design game,it's not because has a different art style that is going to addict newer users..

[@PointandClickAdventures]

A new modern look was needed i think

[@nonvolt]

Why complain about the art style?

[@PointandClickAdventures]

I don’t understand why people are just focusing on that tbh

[@nonvolt]

@@PointandClickAdventures tbh, I like it. I've play monkey island since the Dos version. Still got them all boxed. I even enjoyed return

[@PointandClickAdventures]

@@nonvolt yeah i was a bit off with the faces originally but i really like it now. Regardless of that though, i was still really hyped for a new game

[@drakocarrion]

Because it's horrendous.

[@nonvolt]

@@drakocarrion please explain

[@duncankayartwork]

I always love a monkey island regardless of the artwork. I always just thought it was a wonderful world to be in.

[@PointandClickAdventures]

It really is!!

[@dmacks]

Imagine not playing a new Monkey Island game because you don't like the game art..

[@PointandClickAdventures]

It’s gonna be great!

[@dmacks]

@@PointandClickAdventures Sure will. I can't wait!

[@PointandClickAdventures]

@@dmacks really hope we get a release date soon

[@dmacks]

@@PointandClickAdventures Same here. Will be watching your videos all the way there 🙂

[@PointandClickAdventures]

@@dmacks ah thank you my friend. It’s great to have you come along for the ride

[@sm4sh3d]

People are too young or too old to remember that while Curse went on to become a memorable game, people didn't initially like the way Guybrush looks in that game. But without social media to harass the devs, the backlash didn't last. I don't like the new artstyle, I honestly don't know anyone who likes it and I'm surprised they went with it, but the pathetic manchilds with too much free time on their hands, who think that harassing the devs is not only acceptable but justified, well, they need to realize that their opinion doesn't matter and the civilized world doesn't care about them.

[@PointandClickAdventures]

I honestly think it will grow on people. It’s growing on me the more i see it. It might help to see the characters speaking.

[@dennis4248]

I hated it. And not initially, but still. :-D Also didn't like the humor, the riddles, the story; I really liked nothing about Curse. Now looking at it, I think it looks great. But it's not Monkey Island (for me), it's just a nice game.

[@Nikioko]

I would have liked if they stuck to the more naturalistic look of the first two games, just with a higher resolution. Would have been more consistent. That cartoonish children TV look just doesn't fit.

[@PointandClickAdventures]

Yeah i think that’s what i’d have wanted

[@High.on.Life_DnB]

Must admit the art style will take some getting used to, but I'm just soooooo thankful that it's NOT in 3D....!!! Bring it on Ron Gilbert, MI always was my most favorite point & click adventure up until MI3, after MI3 it went 3D and I hated the looks of that. Can't wait to play this!!!!

[@High.on.Life_DnB]

I kinda hope they'll make a retro video filter that makes it look like MI1 & 2 XD

[@PointandClickAdventures]

Haha yes, i wasn’t keen on the 3D looks so was also thankful for that. Yeah a switch to pixel art would be good but i can’t see it happening :( i don’t mind though. Will still enjoy it

[@High.on.Life_DnB]

@@PointandClickAdventures As it's made by Ron Gilbert himself it must be good, I'll be playing this game day 1, can't wait to see what Ron has come up with!

[@PointandClickAdventures]

@@High.on.Life_DnB yes exactly. Ron has a proven track record in making awesome games. I may even pre-order!

[@dennis4248]

@@High.on.Life_DnB What if Ron wasn't the genius behind it? I mean, everybody thought George Lucas is the genius behind the Star Wars movies, and when he came back to do episode 1-3, it became clear that there must have been other people in his original team, who contributed to making the original 3 movies so atmospheric and great. Might be the same thing here.

[@njalsand133]

I find it a bit too flat

[@PointandClickAdventures]

Do you think you will still play it?

[@njalsand133]

@@PointandClickAdventures do not have the patience anymore

[@PointandClickAdventures]

@@njalsand133 fair enough

[@larrylaffer3246]

Tales was probably my favorite adaptation in a 3D style. It was the best middle ground between Revenge's janky 3D models, and LeChuck's buttery smooth pixel art.

[@Faygris]

I didn't like the art styles of Curse, Escape and the Remakes of 1 and 2, but I just love the games (even Escape a little bit) And now I don't like the art style of Return, either. But I'm sure I will love the game In the end I would never let an art style ruin a game for me (except maybe Psychonauts - that's the ugliest abomination I've ever seen)

[@PointandClickAdventures]

100% this

[@allypezz]

Love it, to hell with the naysayers

[@PointandClickAdventures]

Hear hear

[@TizerisT.]

1:27 Please my friend, do not try to make pixelated graphics sound like a viable option for a 2022 game. That was a graphical limitation of the era. On par with "i miss my teenage years when i had acne all over my face" It was *never* a good look

[@PointandClickAdventures]

You misunderstand. When i asked “so why isn’t it a pixel art game” it was me repeating what others are asking and then i gave the answer that it only appeals to a niche audience :)

[@ScribbleNuts]

Terraria. Stardew Valley. Vampire Survivors....Need I go on with these "non viable" options..?

[@dennis4248]

Look at the special editions of part 1 and 2. They are not pixel art anymore, but still true to the original style and beautiful.

[@PointandClickAdventures]

@@ScribbleNuts i was giving ron’s explanation due to his experiences with thimbleweed park not appealing to anyone other than pixel art adventure fans. I love pixel art games.

[@PointandClickAdventures]

@@dennis4248 very true.

[@benji104]

I don't get why people are complaining at all. A new game is better than no game.

[@PointandClickAdventures]

Yeah i dont get it either

[@harrywright9582]

ρɾσɱσʂɱ 🙃

[@TheOneAndOnlycE]

What´s more worrying is that they injected leftist woke garbage into this game. For example they replaced two of the three iconic white pirates you meet at scumm bar with a black guy and a woman solely for pandering purposes. Be prepared to interact with all kinds of strong, independent women of color pirate captains who will lecture you on how all women are wonderful and all men are trash. As a huge monkey island fan who has played all the originals there is zero chance I´m buying this game.

[@PointandClickAdventures]

Get a life mate. Is it really an issue what colour/gender a cartoon game pirate is? What a ridiculous comment

[@PointandClickAdventures]

You’re acting like there were no black/women characters in the games. Voodoo lady, captain dread, swordmaster, king andre. Elaine, morgan LeFlay and kate capsize were all strong women characters

[@TheOneAndOnlycE]

@@PointandClickAdventures That´s something you have to ask the devs of this woke dumpsterfire.

[@crixxxxxxxxx]

@@TheOneAndOnlycE If you’re a fan of Monkey Island, then you’d remember the original game 32 years ago had strong female characters and minorities in it. Stop complaining about “wokeness.” It’s the most insufferably overused word by people who have no idea what it actually means.

[@TheOneAndOnlycE]

​@@crixxxxxxxxx they replaced iconic white characters with women and blacks for no other reason than to tick diversity checkmarks. Have fun enjoying your political propaganda losely disguised as entertainment. I won´t be supporting political brainwashing in my games.

[@p4radigm989]

unfortunately RtMI sucks. It has very bad writing, the artstyle is OK for background but make the characters quite soulless, because the eyes are just dots and lack expression. The voice actors are mostly horrible, many sound like Lesbians in transition to male, especially Lock Smith sucks. There's a painting in her shop showing her parents and herself - it's 3 women, which makes it obvious that this game was created by woke morons with no talent. Ron had this once chance to fix the ending of MI2, but he doubled down on disrespecting the players and by doing this he made replaying any of these games basically impossible unless you can forget this game even exists. Technically it's pretty good, but there's too much pointless dialogue and the puzzles are too easy. The game just lacks a pleasant atmosphere, it's all brought into current times and politics. The whole game basically is making fun of "bad dads" aka Guybrush who is basically a beta soy cuck, liar, and bad storyteller. The whole Pirate flair has gone down the toilet with the revelation that he made the whole sh1t up.