Back in April, one of the most unlikely video game sequels in recent years was announced in the form of an April Fool's joke. Return to Monkey Island was first teased by series creator Ron Gilbert on April 1st before its official announcement on April 3rd, and was revealed to be a new entry in LucasArts' beloved Monkey Island point-and-click adventure game series, published by Devolver Digital in collaboration with the recently reformed LucasFilm Games. After almost three months without any update despite its 2022 release window, Devolver finally revealed gameplay for Return to Monkey Island today as part of the Nintendo Direct Mini: Partner Showcase.
Return to Monkey Island is being positioned by series creator Ron Gilbert as the true follow-up to 1992's Monkey Island 2: LeChuck's Revenge, which culminated in a now iconic cliffhanger ending that has since never been fully resolved by sequels such as Curse of Monkey Island, at least not in the way that Gilbert intended. Return to Monkey Island is the first new entry in the series since 2009's Tales of Monkey Island and the first entry to be co-directed and written by Gilbert since leaving LucasArts after the development of Monkey Island 2. Despite serving as a sequel to the second entry, Ron Gilbert has claimed that Return will feature characters and elements from the later games.
Return to Monkey Island was noticeably absent from Devolver Digital's Devolver Direct 2022 presentation, which confused many fans eagerly anticipating the game. Now, it's been revealed that the game will be a timed console exclusive for the Nintendo Switch. This announcement came alongside the first gameplay trailer, which revealed that multiple beloved characters such as Carla, Wally, Stan, and Otis will be returning alongside the first look at the game's new art style, which comes from Knights and Bikes and Tearaway artist Rex Crowle.
The trailer also gives a first look at the new interface, which is inspired by Ron Gilbert's Thimbleweed Park spin-off game Delores. The game is being developed by Terrible Toybox, the studio founded by Ron Gilbert that previously developed Thimbleweed Park and features the return of Guybrush Threepwood voice actor Dominic Armato. Return to Monkey Island will also feature music from series composers Michael Land, Peter McConnell, and Cliff Bajakian.
While there's still no concrete release date for Return to Monkey Island, the game's Steam and Nintendo eShop pages have gone live and reveal details about the game's story. Return to Monkey Island will take place some time after the events of Monkey Island 2, following Guybrush who is left "adrift and unfulfilled" having never found the true secret of Monkey Island. A new generation of pirates such as new character Captain Madison have replaced Guybrush, and familiar locations like Melee Island are under new, fearful management.
Return to Monkey Island will release for PC and Nintendo Switch in 2022.