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

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8.7 User Score:

Generally favorable reviews

Based on 54 critic reviews
How did we calculate this?

Based on 32 votes
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Game Info

Publisher: Telltale Games

Developer: Telltale Games

Genre(s): Adventure

Players: 1

ESRB Rating: RP (Rating Pending)

Release Date: July 7, 2009

Summary

While explosively stripping the evil pirate LeChuck of his demonic mojo, Guybrush Threepwood inadvertently infects the entire Caribbean with the arch-fiend's expelled voodoo, which threatens to transform buccaneers into unruly pirate monsters. Pursued by a notorious cut-throat Pirate Hunter and a creepy French Physician who believes that Guybrush's eerily-infected hand holds the secret of eternal life, Threepwood sails the seven seas in search of La Esponja Grande, a legendary sea sponge with unparalleled voodoo exfoliating abilities. But little does Guybrush know, his quest is part of a larger, more sinister plot, and good and evil are not always as they seem. [Telltale Games]

Cheat Codes & Hints: Cheat Code Central

Also On The Web: Official Website

What The Critics Said

All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...

100

1UP

Whether or not you've ever experienced Monkey Island's ridiculous puzzles and eccentric characters, this is a great opportunity to explore the reemerging world of adventure gaming.

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100

Just Adventure

I found the game as refreshing as a bucket of ice water on a sweltering evening. The animation and still art is better. The story is top notch. The music and voice work is as good as it always was (excellent).

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Game Over Online

Even at this early stage (1 of 5), Tales of Monkey Island earns a full recommendation for adventure fans that are pining for the days when games had a strong mental challenge and the payoff was completely hysterical lunacy.

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YouGamers

The best parts of old adventure games are still there, and the tiresome bits have been trimmed out. All in all, this is the best adventure game interface ever.

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The Onion (A.V. Club)

A well-deserved fresh of breath air puts more wind in the sales of a beloved franchise.

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Gaming Age

Well worth picking up for fans of the original and newcomers alike, and I think it'd be a perfect introduction to the genre for just about anyone.

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Armchair Empire

Following excellent Sam Max, Strongbad and Wallace & Gromit episodic series, Telltale Games has done it once again. Tales of Monkey Island’s first episode, Launch of the Screaming Narwhal, is a “yo-ho-ho and a barrel of laughs” P&C adventure game.

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Cheat Code Central

This short but delightful chapter offers a great entry point to the series and is worth replaying again once all the upcoming chapters have all been released.

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ZTGameDomain

The game is a joy to behold.

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DarkZero

The difficulty of the problem-solving you’re tasked with is perfectly pitched, and if you do get stuck, the very subtle hint system may be all you need to help you along. You never feel overwhelmed and the gameplay doesn’t become tedious or as frustrating as it can in other adventure games.

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Destructoid

It is a worthy successor to one of the finest adventure series ever to sail the seven seas. Here is to hoping Telltale can keep the Jolly Roger flying as high as it does here throughout the full length of the Tales season.

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Gamervision

Already it’s better than both the Wallace & Gromit and Strongbad series, and makes a move on some episodes of Sam & Max.

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Computer Games Online RO

And I dare say it’s the best title Telltale game released so far.

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Gamers.at

Tales of Monkey Island is a worthy successor to the classic series which might not surpass parts one and two, but comes close to three. There are just a few minor issues, but personally I can't wait for Episode 2 to arrive.

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My Gamer

An amazing purchase. From the spot on comic humor, to the amazing voice acting, everything adds up to a worthy investment.

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PC Gamer UK

More fun than a barrel of monkeys, and a fine follow-up to at least the last couple of Monkey Island sequels. [Sept 2009, p.73]

Worth Playing

Overall, the first outing in the Tales of Monkey Island series feels a lot like riding a bike for the first time in over a decade. Sure, you may wobble a bit at first and you may not be able to pull off all the same tricks as you could in your younger days, but things ultimately fall into place and it isn't long before you relax into a nice rhythm.

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Gamer Limit

Tales of Monkey Island is a blast to play, but feels a little short, even for episodic content.

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Vandal Online

The most loved adventure franchise of the nineties is back, and this first chapter assures that Monkey Island still have much to offer to gamers.

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PC Format

I don't think this is going to be as good as the new Island series gets either. [Sept 2009, p.97]

Absolute Games

Everything here is so Monkey Island, so classic LucasArts. Telltale not only resurrected an old series, but also proved that none of the recent imitators will ever become Monkey Island.

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Multiplayer.it

Not as good has the first two masterpieces, the game created by Telltale is definitely challenging and funny, very respectful of the legacy of Guybrush and his friends. The new 3D visuals are good and punchlines, jokes and puzzles are well devised and let you enter smoothly in the world of LeChuck.

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Gameplayer Sweden

The return of the beloved Monkey Island series is something that most adventure gamers have been waiting for. And with the arrival of the first episode, it is safe to say that no one will be disappointed. Telltale Games have done a great job on capturing familiar aspects of the previous games, while bringing some new elements to it.

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GameSpy

It's a new Monkey Island game. Play it if you dig the series, play it if you dig Telltale's other stuff, and play it if you dig adventure games in general. And if you're still saying this genre's dead here and now in 2009, you're just plain wrong. And you probably fight like a dairy farmer.

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Everyeye.it

The first chapter of Tales of Monkey Island was a nice surprise.The mighty pirate Guybrush Threepwood is back and for the older fans of the monkey island saga this is a must buy.

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GamePro

Telltale hit it right out of the park with the first installment of the series. It has plenty of humor, fun gameplay, nice puzzles and wonderful music and voice work. The only real setback to the game is that the hint system can be too helpful.

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PALGN

Monkey Island is back. This first episode is a strong start, with Guybrush at his best, an amusing script and a barrel of grog to boot.

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Giant Bomb

I was really satisfied with the three or four hours it took me to get through Launch of the Narwhal, and the episode ends on a delicious cliffhanger that has me eager to see what happens in next month's episode.

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Teletext GameCentral

A welcome return to MonkeyIsland and a promising first episode to a new season of graphic adventuring.

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Boomtown

The control system can be labeled as interesting (sweeping the mouse around the screen to guide Guybrush around is one of the worst control schemes I’ve ever encountered) but thankfully this can be swapped for WASD keyboard controls.

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Telegraph

Crucially, it left me wanting more. If Telltale can mix their own identity in with the old Monkey Island magic they’ve conjured up, we’re going to be in for a real treat over the coming months.

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Eurogamer Italy

Launch of the Screaming Narwhal is the chance to gain back an old friend for veteran gamers and the chance to gain a new one for the others, on the path of pirates.

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AtomicGamer

Although this first chapter is part of a larger storyline and of necessity ends on a cliffhanger, it functions well enough on its own to be a satisfying gaming experience.

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games(TM)

Easier than the classics, but not without difficulty. We got properly stuck once and found the rest mildly challenging. [Sept 2009, p.112]

Total PC Gaming

A promising start and an engaging, enjoyable adventure in its own right. [Issue#23, p.58]

Pelit (Finland)

Has potential that can be tapped in the consecutive episodes, if emphasis is put on more inspired character design and wittier repartee. [Aug 2009]

GameZone

It’s a short ride, and not something you’ll probably be playing time and again. For what’s there, Chapter 1 certainly delivers an adequate adventure for a classic hero. It just seems like something new could have been done with it.

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IGN

The episode's biggest weakness is the clear lack of any kind of grand finale. While the music swells once you leave the island, the finale lacks epic triumph and the denouement amounts to a cliffhanger, leaving more questions than answers.

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PC Games (Germany)

A fun and throughout enjoyable kick-off for Telltales new adventure series - but as an actual Monkey Island game, it does not fully satisfy. There are only a few characters to interact with, the plot is really not that interesting and the 3D graphics are a bit low on detail. Voice acting is superb, however - Dominic Armato really hits the mark in his performance of Guybrush.

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GamingXP

All together Tales of the Screaming Narwhal is a title, which appeals to players of the older generation, who played the other Monkey Island games. Short, but a good adventure!

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GameCritics

And Guybrush is so likeable—in that pestering, caddish sort of way—that I want to know what happens to him. That, really, is what a serial game should accomplish; to leave players hungry for more.

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Gamers' Temple

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.

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3DJuegos

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.

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GameStar

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.

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Adventure Gamers

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.

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Thunderbolt

It’s great to have an old friend back in the spotlight where it belongs.

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Eurogamer

Despite a rather forgettable supporting cast, Telltale makes up for it with consistently excellent puzzle design, and occasional flourishes of comedy genius.

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Gamer.nl

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.

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Eurogamer Spain

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.

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PC PowerPlay

Wholesome adventure fun for Threepheads and newcomers alike. [Oct 2009, p.78]

PC Zone UK

While it's no classic, every Monkey Island fan should be playing this. [Oct 2009, p.68]

Edge Magazine

There's enough skill on display to suggest that these tales might actually be worth telling. [Sept 2009, p.99]

LEVEL (Czech Republic)

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]

VideoGamer

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.

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What Our Users Said

The average user rating for this game is 8.7 (out of 10) based on 32 User Votes

Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.

S D gave it a6:
I’m going to sound ultra-negative with this review and some will think I‘m harsh, but it is my honest opinion. The bar has been set very high for any Monkey Island sequel and I don’t believe these episodic games suffice so far. Firstly, 'Tales Of' suffers graphically from bridging between a weak platform (Wii) and a powerful platform (PC). Given the situation, you would have thought the developers would have chosen 2D (perhaps with a subtle blend of 3D) because the richness of the Monkey Island world is gone and in place is blocky polygons. The locations so far (currently playing #3) are pretty vague. We haven't seen any towns and you’ll often find yourself walking through confusing jungle paths. The Mermaid island simply doesn’t inspire like it should. The new Guybrush design is pretty ugly too, with a gaunt face and a chin that sports a weird looking pointy beard. I also find the way he bobs every time he speaks annoying. The control system is clearly set-up with the Wii in mind first and PC second, leaving PC users either dragging (literally!) Guybrush around or forced to use the curser keys. As Nathan M has mentioned, the mechanics are severely dumbed down - gone are the additional options like: pick up, look at, open, etc. This makes these games feel very shallow because a single click on an object will do everything for you. Last but most importantly; the humour here is a little weak. Yes it’ll make you chuckle and it’s very charming and well-written, but it doesn’t come close to any of the other Monkey Island games - including Escape. A couple positive points: the voodoo lady chat was probably the best from any Monkey Island game. I always found the conversations with her dragged on too long in previous games. The part when you’re locked in the French Physician’s lab is very well done too - I just wish the rest of the content was up to this standard.

Nathan M gave it a6:
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.

Doug T gave it a9:
Excellent game, the first point and click game that I've ever been excited to play. I never played the first, but the story is pretty easy to understand and very entertaining. The puzzles are intriguing and actually offer a challenge some of the time. The characters are all entertaining, the story is solid, the graphics look good, and the dialogue is humorous and doesn't lack structure. Considering you get 5 games for 35$, you'd be ridiculous not to pick these up. The first one lasted about 3 hours, so on average 15 hours of game play for half the price of COD4 Modern Warfare 2, is a certain buy. (Good single player and family game, nothing naughter lol).

Five Airtonic gave it a9:
Absolutely free 3D flash game. The best! Must play! Tanki Online — Massively Multiplayer Online Action Game based on Adobe Flash technology. Players fight each other online, earning money and advancing their careers. There are many armors, weapons and bonuses available. Players create deathmatch or team battles, and communicate each other to achieve their goals.

Daniel J gave it a7:
Worth an 8 for putting me on thought of replaying the others and reacquainting myself with one of the most memorable characters in the history of video game entertainment. However it deserves a meagre 7 because of the dry and poor script, the shabby construction and for using the same damn engine that couldn’t truly give justice to Sam and Max and neither does to the wonder of Monkey Island, it lacks so much of those special details that plagued Monkey 4 as well. It’s only worth playing just to kick start that old heart and fuel the desire to go and hunt down the REAL Monkey Island games.

Andrew L gave it a10:
Firstly, the graphics at first are foreign, how could they not be? Luckily, they grow on you within the first 15 seconds of gameplay. The controls are beyond simple, using WASD to walk is easy and thankfully it doesn't follow the same control scheme as Escape from Monkey Island, it's not confusing in the slightest. The story so far (being that we're only given the first taste of 5 chapters) is amazing, there is so much excitement in the plot. The boyish, smart-alec humour of Guybrush is cheekier than ever and you instantly fall in love with him again. Every puzzle is as entertaining as its end result, consequences of doing your piratey deeds always reward the player, and it's just that much more fun, and somewhat sinister, in Tales of Monkey Island. Although short, Launch of the Screaming Narwhal does its job as an enjoyable start to a Monkey Island game. It's not up there with Curse of Monkey Island, but it sure comes close. Dare I say, it's already more enjoyable than the fourth instalment to the series. At the point you finish chapter one, you're overwhelmed with joy that there are 4 more parts to come! Thank you Lucasarts, for reviving what is possibly the best game series of all time.

Joey Joe Joe gave it a9:
I bought this game from Steam on a whim as it suprised me on release day and I have to say I'm happily suprised at it's quality. The only flaw I can name is it is a bit short (but it is episodic of course) and the mouse controls for moving Guybrush is akward (fixed by just using WASD instead). A lot of people complained about the graphical style that TellTale games decided on but I have to say I rather enjoy it, it looks like a massively revamped Escape from Monkey Island graphically but I feel it's closer to the older games with it's humour and silliness. I turned the hints off so as to make the game last longer so I'm unsure of how they effect gameplay at all. I feel that if anyone compains about the 3D style and how these new games "butchered" the classic series may have their nostalgia goggles on a little too tightly. I recommend this game if you are a fan of Monkey Island but I can see how it may be a bit confusing for the first timer of the point and click puzzle games, but thankfully the hint system is in place for just this. Overall, classic Monkey Island.

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

Game Info

Summary

What The Critics Said

What Our Users Said

Upcoming &
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