The Secret of Monkey Island: Special Edition

 PC
User Score
8.9

Generally favorable reviews- based on 402 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 350 out of 402
  2. Mixed: 35 out of 402
  3. Negative: 17 out of 402

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  1. NLForkNL
    Sep 10, 2023
    10
    Absolute beauty this one. Not even Metacritic can silence me here. Get wrecked.
  2. Thiagodair
    Apr 3, 2023
    9
    This is a classic in every sense of the world, truly a defining game for point-and-clickers and for adventure narrative games
  3. fake_nikpap
    Jul 14, 2022
    10
    This game is an amazing adventure game filled with humor and character. The remaster is also well done with the voice acting add on being a very good addition in my opinion. But it's nice that you can switch back to the original and have a look at it.
  4. B-Bog
    May 21, 2022
    6
    If you want nothing more than a faithful remaster of the first Monkey Island game with enhanced graphics, sound, and added voice acting, you are going to be very pleased with this. However, I played through Tales of Monkey Island right before playing this, and the original game's design reeeeaaally shows it age, with puzzles that can be obtuse or even downright nonsensical at times andIf you want nothing more than a faithful remaster of the first Monkey Island game with enhanced graphics, sound, and added voice acting, you are going to be very pleased with this. However, I played through Tales of Monkey Island right before playing this, and the original game's design reeeeaaally shows it age, with puzzles that can be obtuse or even downright nonsensical at times and lots and lots of tedious, slow traversal that completely ruins the pacing. Waiting for Guybrush to walk across a giant map screen that is 99% useless, empty space really tends to lose its charm after the 30th time or so...

    The awkward puzzle design is somewhat offset by the hint system, but I still resorted to looking stuff up in a guide towards the end of the game, because I knew that not doing so would just mean engaging in lots and lots of tedious trial-and-error, only to arrive at a solution that would make me go : "How tf was I ever supposed to figure this one out?" Maybe even worse is when you're really going down the right route, but there's no indication that you're doing so. Like, you see a monkey, you have a banana in your inventory, you think to yourself "Hey, monkeys like bananas, I bet giving the banana to the monkey is going to advance the game in some way!" Then you do so, and absolutely NOTHING happens. In this scenario, is your first thought "Hmmm, I bet I have to feed this monkey FOUR more bananas and then something good will happen!" If it is, congratulations, your logic perfectly aligns with that of the game and you're probably going to have a grand old time.

    I also think the game would've greatly benefited from a more streamlined interface than the old-school SCUMM engine with the 9 different verbs. The process of selecting these actions is even more tedious than in the original, because you have to press extra keys to bring up the verbs and your inventory.

    So, in summary, I think this game would've been a perfect candidate for a proper remake or even reimagining, that doesn't only improve the presentation, but also addresses the flaws in the game's design. As it is, it's a great nostalgia trip for people already familiar with the original, but if you evaluate it on its own for what it is today, it really doesn't hold up all that well.    … Expand
  5. damaso7
    Mar 23, 2022
    7
    Muy buenos escenarios y ambientación. Además el humor en su punto fuerte. El problema es su duración, que es corta.
  6. Erty-8
    Feb 12, 2022
    10
    A comedical masterpiece. Everyone should play it. Yeah I mean everyone. One of the best games of all time.
  7. BuddyGamer1000
    Dec 13, 2021
    10
    Excelente. La saga Monkey Island es la mejor en toda la historia de las aventuras gráficas clásicas. Los millones de fans quisiéramos que Ron Gilbert y Tim Schaffer realicen una nueva entrega.
  8. Archvile-UT
    Nov 28, 2021
    4
    Решил ознакомиться с одним из самых популярных представителей золотой классики квестов. Не знаю, что в нем нашли ТАКОГО что прямо одни хвалебные оды везде. Простенький сюжет и персонажи, нелепые задачки, отсутствие интересных головоломок, местами забавные фразы, серая музыка, скучный геймплей. Перерисовано все тоже как-то аляповато и простенько. О пиратской атмосфере не стоит даже иРешил ознакомиться с одним из самых популярных представителей золотой классики квестов. Не знаю, что в нем нашли ТАКОГО что прямо одни хвалебные оды везде. Простенький сюжет и персонажи, нелепые задачки, отсутствие интересных головоломок, местами забавные фразы, серая музыка, скучный геймплей. Перерисовано все тоже как-то аляповато и простенько. О пиратской атмосфере не стоит даже и мечтать – пересмотрите лучше Пиратов Карибского моря.… Expand
  9. ComandanteCobra
    Oct 21, 2021
    10
    i played it ...ages ago...in it's original floppy disc version with the dial-a-pirates wheel.
    A piece of gaming history.
    Try this Enchanced version or the Original one or The Amiga version or Android versions...t's worth it
  10. Dco326
    Oct 15, 2021
    6
    Samo je okej, meni se ne dopadaju neke stvari i ne mogu zat oda je igram jebiga. 6 je okej nisam ni hteo da je zavrsim.
  11. widhie75
    Oct 10, 2021
    10
    Great high quality visual, totally improve from DOS version, great sound, great remake game.
  12. modimagic
    Sep 11, 2021
    4
    This game has some beautiful hand painted graphics which is so pleasing to look at. The game is nice and fun till our protagonist actually reaches the Monkey Island. On the island, it suddenly becomes so boring. Zzzz... I just could not go on and had to stop.

    I saw the remaining gameplay in fast forward on YouTube. I am glad I took the right decision and did not waste more time just to    This game has some beautiful hand painted graphics which is so pleasing to look at. The game is nice and fun till our protagonist actually reaches the Monkey Island. On the island, it suddenly becomes so boring. Zzzz... I just could not go on and had to stop.

    I saw the remaining gameplay in fast forward on YouTube.
    I am glad I took the right decision and did not waste more time just to complete the game.    … Expand
  13. Frozn
    Dec 19, 2020
    10
    I think, this is my favorite game of the Monkey Island series. The graphics in the Special Edition don't just look nice and clean, they really give a different experience of the game than playing it in the old classic look. Apart from one little bug i had and the kinda weird hinds, this is an absolute classic any point and click-fanatic should play!
  14. Babutto
    Nov 25, 2020
    10
    Classic quest from classic developers.

    Pros.:
    - Humor.
    - Style.
    - Story.
    - Music.
    - Romantic and mystical environment.
    - Gameplay.
    - Tips.

    Cons.:
    - None.
  15. emilyratesgames
    Jul 21, 2020
    9
    Score: 9
    ------------------------------------------------------------------
  16. Official3style
    Jul 12, 2020
    0
    Hands down the best remake of the classic monkey island. i would recommend this to ANY point and click fanatics library.
  17. bancandrei
    May 14, 2020
    6
    This game didn't look good when I first played it on Windows 3.1 and it doesn't look good now. This is such a missed opportunity of a remake. The humor and sense of adventure make this one of the all time greats. This is the game the put PIRATES on the map
  18. ChesterField
    May 1, 2020
    9
    This remake is just perfect. Same as the original with a renewed technical section. Essential.
  19. bskierys
    Jun 2, 2019
    9
    I am one of the players who never played the original. I started my adventure with Monkey Island with the remakes. So my score is not a result of nostalgia, but the consequence of how good this classic point&click game is. The thing I liked the most is how funny and light-hearted this game is.
    The absolute must-play for any point&click fan.
  20. brendo214
    May 22, 2019
    9
    The Secret of Monkey Island is sooo hilarious. Not many other games have even come close to how much this game made me laugh.
  21. SrPepe
    Feb 23, 2019
    8
    Un juegazo de principio a fin, el remake esta perfectamente hecho, es un juego increíble con una historia super divertida y personajes entrañables, aventura pura.
  22. PictoPirate
    May 17, 2017
    9
    Beautiful, fun and down right hilarious it is easy to see why The Secret of Monkey Island is one of the most beloved adventure games of all time. Some of the gameplay may be a little old fashioned but the characters, humour and situations are timeless and with the new lick of paint the game doesn't show it's age. If you've never played it before buy it now; if you haven't played it for aBeautiful, fun and down right hilarious it is easy to see why The Secret of Monkey Island is one of the most beloved adventure games of all time. Some of the gameplay may be a little old fashioned but the characters, humour and situations are timeless and with the new lick of paint the game doesn't show it's age. If you've never played it before buy it now; if you haven't played it for a while this is the perfect package to get back in the saddle and give Guybrush another run out.… Expand
  23. ThecriticGoD
    Mar 27, 2016
    7
    The game is really funny and it's where it all starts, it's exciting to meet all the characters and it's really fun at first, however, the puzzles in this Monkey Island are pretty ilogical compared to Curse, Escape, or Tales. Towards the end of the game you'll find yourself spamming the hint button and the worst thing is after pressing it you won't be like "oooh, so it was like that",The game is really funny and it's where it all starts, it's exciting to meet all the characters and it's really fun at first, however, the puzzles in this Monkey Island are pretty ilogical compared to Curse, Escape, or Tales. Towards the end of the game you'll find yourself spamming the hint button and the worst thing is after pressing it you won't be like "oooh, so it was like that", you'll be like "wtf, that didn't make sense", which is what you want to stay away from in an Adventure game. However, this is a very very old game so probably things were seen a different way back then but nowadays I think it's not good to abuse illogical puzzles so much. Anyways, the game is funny and interesting, it's just frustrating at times.… Expand
  24. spikeq
    Dec 12, 2014
    10
    Monkey Island is a classic that breathes new life into the original from the 90 's. It has great humour, well done music and is one of the most memorable games I have ever played. It has the option to switch between the retro and new graphics, which appeals to both old and new people to the genre. However, the old graphics leave more room for imagination and the game technically has aMonkey Island is a classic that breathes new life into the original from the 90 's. It has great humour, well done music and is one of the most memorable games I have ever played. It has the option to switch between the retro and new graphics, which appeals to both old and new people to the genre. However, the old graphics leave more room for imagination and the game technically has a built-in walk-through which ruins the game as it is to hard to resist, and should not be pressed until you are truly stuck. Regardless, The Secret of Monkey Island: Special Edition is definitely worth full price.… Expand
  25. Mrman7
    Nov 10, 2014
    9
    The classic adventure game Monkey Island receives a make-over. But who is it for? Those of us who remember this game fondly don't need new graphics sound effects to draw us in, we still like it. For a new generation of gamers accustomed to faster-paced and more graphically intensive titles, I can't imagine that a cartoony make-over such as this is likely to make much of a difference. TheThe classic adventure game Monkey Island receives a make-over. But who is it for? Those of us who remember this game fondly don't need new graphics sound effects to draw us in, we still like it. For a new generation of gamers accustomed to faster-paced and more graphically intensive titles, I can't imagine that a cartoony make-over such as this is likely to make much of a difference. The option to switch back and forth between the original and new version is really the most interesting thing to do here but it's not something I would have been asking for if it had never been provided. At the end of the day is the game still fun to play? Absolutely, it's one of the best games of all time. Is this the "definitive" version of the game? Nah, find an original copy and boot it up on ScummVm or Dosbox.… Expand
  26. ciscotn
    Jul 26, 2014
    10
    The best adventure game ever!
    Great story, great characters, and this special edition version add a beautiful graphics.
    All player must buy it and finish it!
  27. lach1223
    Nov 12, 2013
    9
    I am really loving this game. The puzzles are challenging, the humor is spectacular and the graphics and sound are top notch. If you get stuck, the game has a great hint system so you can always keep moving forward if you are stumped. Would definitely recommend this game!
  28. AWG
    Jul 7, 2013
    8
    "The Secret of Monkey Island: Special Edition" is "The Secret of Monkey Island" with a modern set of graphics and sounds. What does this mean? This means that one of the best adventures in the history of gaming got even better.
  29. Atomsk
    Apr 27, 2013
    10
    Simply brilliant, one of my favourite games as a spotty youth is back for me to enjoy as my hair starts to turn grey. A flawless update to a truly classic game. Long live Guybrush Threepwood!
  30. Rox22
    Feb 7, 2013
    9
    I always regretted never playing the original when it came out, but at the time the whole pirate theme was unappealing. I'm so glad that Telltale games decided to remake this and give me a chance to play such an iconic game. Yes the age of the point and click adventure has come and gone, and yes allot of my feeling towards this game and games like it is fueled by nostalgia, but hey: II always regretted never playing the original when it came out, but at the time the whole pirate theme was unappealing. I'm so glad that Telltale games decided to remake this and give me a chance to play such an iconic game. Yes the age of the point and click adventure has come and gone, and yes allot of my feeling towards this game and games like it is fueled by nostalgia, but hey: I still like it, regardless of the reason. The visuals are top notch, the voice acting is brilliant, the writing and humor are just first rate. Overall: A brilliant game that sparks warm fuzzy feeling of the good old days. A real shame that many of the younger generation can't appreciate this game for what it is: A piece of gaming history, preserved in a 100% loyal remake.… Expand
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Awards & Rankings

15
#15 Best PC Game of 2009
42
#42 Most Discussed PC Game of 2009
36
#36 Most Shared PC Game of 2009

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
86

Generally favorable reviews - based on 23 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 22 out of 23
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 23
  3. Negative: 0 out of 23
  1. IGN
    87
    Playing this adventure will take you back to a simpler, more innocent time before games needed to bash us over the head with ultra violence to get our attention. They definitely don't make 'em like this anymore.
    Read full review
  2. GameSpy
    90
    If you cut your teeth on, say, Telltale's various Sam & Max or Strong Bad series, you're about to find out exactly what a hardcore adventure game plays like.
    Read full review
  3. Gamers.at
    92
    Monkey Island Special Edition is the well done remake of a classic game. The controls may not be perfect, but the graphics and sound make up for it.
    Read full review
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