Devolver Digital's newest addition to the Monkey Island franchise, Return to Monkey Island, has some fans reacting negatively toward the game's art direction. This new art style stands in stark contrast to the different depictions seen in the original games. This has caused a divide among some fans wanting a return to the nostalgic pixel art of the old series, with others remaining ambivalent.
Return to Monkey Island will follow the iconic Guybrush Threepwood and will pick up after the events The Secret of Monkey Island and Monkey Island 2: LeChuck's Revenge. Headed by the original creator Ron Gilbert, Return to Monkey Island hints at a return to form for the point-and-click swashbuckling the series is known for. The reveal trailer also showed off some of the characters making comebacks in Return to Monkey Island, with several fan favorites included.
However, one thing that does not seem to be making a return that has some fans divided is the original Monkey Island art style. The change is a drastic departure from any art style previously seen in the series and it has some fans up in arms. In fact, the criticisms received about Return to Monkey Island's art style have been so severe, Ron Gilbert himself has responded to the negative criticism.
Return To Monkey Island's Art Style Ditches The Past For A New Direction
The newest addition to the franchise trades off the old pixel-to-Disney graphics of the older games for a much more stylized art style. Return to Monkey Island's new style is much more cartoonish, with more defined and blocky line work. In many ways, it resembles the style seen in the Guacamelee series. While the new style is a drastic departure, some fans, including Elijah Wood, are excited about Monkey Island and point to the art as an interesting change. Indeed, Ron Gilbert appears to agree with this sentiment as it was apparently his decision to go this route instead of returning to the more traditional art style.
This, however, did not sit well with some fans of the franchise, who took to the internet to criticize the new art direction. Many of them compared the old pixel art - complete with detailed and realistic character portraits - to the new style, claiming that the new style does not capture the essence of the older Monkey Island titles and going so far as to say that it's a betrayal of the older games. Ron Gilbert responded to these Return to Monkey Island criticisms by defending his team and his decision to use the art style, and has since refrained from sharing any more details about the game.
While the art style has divided the Monkey Island fanbase, the core game looks to be true to the spirit of the older '90s titles, complete with its unique sense of humor. The new art style may be a big change for some, but many fans are excited about Monkey Island's return and have faith in its ability to convey a good story set in the franchise's universe. While Return to Monkey Island's art may have changed, the new game still looks like a promising return for Guybrush Threepwood and his fellows.
