The Secret of Monkey Island: Special Edition Image
Metascore

Generally favorable reviews - based on 35 Critics What's this?

User Score

Universal acclaim- based on 56 Ratings

  • Summary: [Xbox Live Arcade] Pirates! Adventure! Monkeys! Relive the hilarious swashbuckling misadventures of the wannabe pirate Guybrush Threepwood as he attempts to become the most infamous pirate in the Caribbean! Back by popular demand, The Secret of Monkey Island: Special Edition faithfully re-imagines the internationally-acclaimed classic pirate adventure game from LucasArts in gorgeous HD detail. Featuring an all new re-imagined contemporary art style, hand-drawn and presented in 1080p, complete voice over by members of the original Monkey Island - franchise cast, a re-mastered musical score using live instruments, plus scene-for scene-hot swap to seamlessly transition between Special Edition and Classic modes at anytime. Embark on a bumbling misadventure in an attempt to become the most infamous pirate in the Caribbean, win the heart of the beautiful governor, Elaine Marley, and confront the evil ghost pirate, LeChuck! The game is all-new and re-imagined with a contemporary art style, hand-drawn and presented in 1080p. Complete voice over using original Monkey Island franchise cast members brings the story and characters to life like never before. Enjoy the re-mastered and re-recorded musical score using live instruments. Scene-for-scene hot swap lets you seamlessly transition between Special Edition and Classic modes at anytime during gameplay. The all-new intuitive game interface and controls provide a more interactive gameplay experience. Hint system: Not sure what to do next? The in-game puzzle hint system keeps the puzzles fresh and fun. [LucasArts] Expand
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 34 out of 35
  2. Negative: 0 out of 35
  1. Guybrush and gang get the gaming equivalent of a knighthood, a Ferrari and a bonk with Megan Fox. [Oct 2009, p.102]
  2. 100
    This is quite a perfect adventure game that joins a not-as-perfect-but-still-really-damn-good modern adaptation of a perfect adventure game. What we have is a classic game packaged in a way for everyone (PC or console gamer alike) to finally and easily play it, and that's exactly what you should do -- whether you're learning the secret of Monkey Island for the first or 50th time.
  3. A great adventure game, with humour, logical and illogical puzzles, and a charismatic bunch of characters. The remake is great, and the classic game is still a solid game. At a good price point, it's the ideal game for Monkey Island and point and click adventure lovers.
  4. The game only lasts about 5-6 hours, and many will find what's on offer exceedingly dull. Still, point-and-click fans and puzzle-adventure buffs should really enjoy it.

See all 35 Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 14 out of 14
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 14
  3. Negative: 0 out of 14
  1. WARNING BIAS REVIEW!
    this was probably the first game I played when i was young. Playing this on my Amiga 500 with the 4 Floppy Discs (Rememb
    er them?) and constantly having to change as you moved from area to area. I found the scripting and the humour to be subtle but charming and the characters to be well thought up. The game now available is still the same old game that you remember but they have taken a few bits from the later series and put them into the new. The voice actors from the third game (Curse of monkey Island i think) has been brought in to voice the characters and they have given the game a new lick of paint. You can however change this back to the original with the push of a button.
    Point and click games are back with this and games such as 'The Walking Dead'. this is not quite where it all began but it is the most successful of the early breed of Point and Click adventures and what really gave the new modern games the audience they have today.
    Play this and tell me if you don't want to go Insult Sword Fighting... How Appropriate, you fight like a cow.
    Expand
  2. DanielR
    10
    This game will always hold a special place in my heart. It is, without a doubt one of the greatest adventure games of all time. Exceedingly witty, funny, and always cognizant of what it is, a game of puns and slapstick humor. Hopefully we see the sequel come our way, and soon! Expand
  3. RichP
    8
    It is a great game but only a good remake...the new graphics and voice overs are cool but the graphics seems to be limited by the engine (i.e. they improved the sprites and backgrounds, but not the animation framerate? no 3D graphics?), and sometimes I prefer how the voices sound in my head. Playing the original in ScummVM is about the same experience, a little better or worse depending on your preferences and appetite for nostalgia. Expand
  4. 7
    Point and click adventure with a great sense of humour. I very much like how you have the option to switch between old and new graphics. Be warned that this game is hard and can be frustrating if you become stumped. Expand

See all 14 User Reviews