Tales of Monkey Island Chapter 1: Launch of the Screaming Narwhal

 PC
Metascore
79

Generally favorable reviews - based on 54 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 41 out of 54
  2. Mixed: 13 out of 54
  3. Negative: 0 out of 54
  1. 3DJuegos
    73
    In Tales of Monkey Island Chapter 1 we miss the pleasant sense of humor of The Secret of Monkey Island and Monkey Island 2, and its great pace. But Launch of the Screaming Narwhal is an acceptable first entry for a new franchise that, with its 5 chapters together, could result in a nice game.
  2. Adventure Gamers
    70
    In anticipation of that potential, every adventure fan should consider this an essential play, and go into it with the understanding that this is a very good and very fun game-just not the best Telltale has to offer.
  3. Edge Magazine
    60
    There's enough skill on display to suggest that these tales might actually be worth telling. [Sept 2009, p.99]
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  5. Eurogamer
    70
    Despite a rather forgettable supporting cast, Telltale makes up for it with consistently excellent puzzle design, and occasional flourishes of comedy genius.
  6. Eurogamer Spain
    70
    It's a great return from a beloved saga, but it can be better on next installments. Control is a bit though and it lacks a bit of the charisma from previous entries.
  7. Gamer.nl
    70
    Tales of Monkey Island is a great new chapter in the Monkey Island-series. It's a fun addition to the episodic games that Telltale Games offers and will satisfy the hunger of fans of the series. It's only a shame that the quality of the original series never will be achieved again.
  8. Gamers' Temple
    74
    As this is a classic adventure game, the story is a big part of the experience. As such, the pace will probably feel somewhat slow to those who've never played this type of game before. I wouldn't put the story on par with that of the original Monkey Island, but it's certainly better than average.
  9. GameStar
    73
    It's a good adventure game, but for veterans of the series it's still disappointing. It's obvious that Telltale tried to make the best out of a small budget, but Monkey Island deserves better than that. It hurts to see the greatest adventure series being cut into little pieces.
  10. LEVEL (Czech Republic)
    60
    We anticipated a flawless successor of the legend and we got a great and funny adventure game…but we expected a better one from the creators of Sam & Max series. [Aug 2009]
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  11. PC PowerPlay
    70
    Wholesome adventure fun for Threepheads and newcomers alike. [Oct 2009, p.78]
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  12. PC Zone UK
    68
    While it's no classic, every Monkey Island fan should be playing this. [Oct 2009, p.68]
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  13. Thunderbolt
    70
    It's great to have an old friend back in the spotlight where it belongs.
  14. VideoGamer
    60
    It's not as engaging or memorable as we remember the originals to be, and the puzzles won't blow anyone away, but it's still hugely exciting to play a brand new Monkey Island game, such is the enduring popularity of the early 90s classics.

Awards & Rankings

46
#46 Best PC Game of 2009
94
#94 Most Discussed PC Game of 2009
59
#59 Most Shared PC Game of 2009

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
7.8

Generally favorable reviews- based on 83 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 58 out of 83
  2. Mixed: 17 out of 83
  3. Negative: 8 out of 83
  1. sLm
    Feb 11, 2014
    5
    Lots of Spanish references, and not a single game translation of the game in Spanish. Dumbasses... And by the way, the "j" in "Esponja" is notLots of Spanish references, and not a single game translation of the game in Spanish. Dumbasses... And by the way, the "j" in "Esponja" is not pronounced /dʒ/, but /h/...
    -.-'''    … Full Review »
  2. NathanM
    Aug 19, 2009
    6
    In general the humor and the attitude is all there...in general... This is to say it "feels" like playing a classic Monkey Island In general the humor and the attitude is all there...in general... This is to say it "feels" like playing a classic Monkey Island Adventure...however the original complexity and difficulty is not present. The sheer number of scenes or locals with which Guybrush must interact simultaneously to solve the puzzles is simply not present. Another lacking feature that no one has mentioned to my knowledge. Where did the "Pick Up" "Open" "Close" "Talk To" "Look At" "Use" "Push" "Pull" go? These options added a great level of depth to the previous games, if even in the form of red herrings, which is lost here. In essence to make a strange comparison... I feel that if we might call the original Monkey Islands "Pokemon" then this latest is more like "Pokemon Snap!" Understand that I am not comparing Monkey Island to Pokemon in content. I am comparing Pokemon to Pokemon Snap in order to more clearly quantify the differential in the level of "gaming depth" between the classic Monkey Islands and this latest release. Same theme, same attitude, but shallower.… Full Review »
  3. FediS.
    Jul 12, 2009
    5
    This game is painfully mediocre.. All that is good about it comes from the ideas/music/story of the 4 previous games (Yes MI4 included,sinceThis game is painfully mediocre.. All that is good about it comes from the ideas/music/story of the 4 previous games (Yes MI4 included,since it's very good). The new island's design and all the supporting characters are so dull,badly designed and unoriginal that it justs destroys it, even if it has some good puzzles , probably the best Telltale has yet to offer.… Full Review »
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