MobyRank MobyScore
Macintosh
...
2.9
Amiga
...
3.9
DOS
89
4.2

Description

Deep in the Caribbean lies Melee Island, ruled by the beautiful governor Elaine Marley. The cruel pirate LeChuck is deeply in love with her - so deeply that he refuses to accept his own death! As a ghost, he dwells with his undead crew somewhere near the mysterious Monkey Island. You are Guybrush Threepwood, a young man whose only wish is to become a real pirate. At the Scumm Bar you meet three pirates who tell you'll have to complete three difficult tasks in order to be worthy of this title. Could Guybrush ever suspect that while trying to complete those tasks, he will encounter the governor Elaine Marley, fall in love with her, and face the anger of the dreadful ghost pirate LeChuck?! This is when Guybrush' adventure truly begins!

The Secret of Monkey Island is an adventure game that utilizes the command verb-based SCUMM interface first introduced in Maniac Mansion: you construct commands for Guybrush by clicking on the appropriate verb, and then clicking on the inventory item or an object in the room you want to interact with. It is the first LucasArts' adventure game in which it is impossible to get irrevocably stuck or to die. The branching dialogue system, where you choose one of the available responses while talking to people, allows you to talk to characters in different ways without fearing a wrong choice. There are plenty of inventory-based puzzles to solve, and even "insult swordfighting" to participate in, where Guybrush has to prove his wit is as sharp as his sword!

Alternate Titles

  • "猴島小英雄" -- Chinese title
  • "モンキー・アイランド ユーレイ海賊大騒動!" -- Japanese title
  • "TSOMI" -- Common abbreviation
  • "Obezjannij Ostrov" -- Russian title
  • "Monkey Island 1" -- Informal name
  • "Le Secret de L'Ile aux Singes" -- French title
  • "El secreto de Monkey Island" -- Spanish title

Part of the Following Groups


Merchant Title Platform    
Amazon
The Secret Of Monkey Island (Sega CD) SEGA CD    
ebay.com
The Secret of Monkey Island    
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User Reviews

Yet another review for THE Adventure... someone has to do it DOS Boston Low (61)
Arguably the only adventure game that could be described as a true masterpiece. DOS Mumm-Ra (385)
What is the secret of Monkey Island anyway? Too bad nobody knows DOS Black Wolf (37247)
BEST GAME EVER!!! DOS NatsFan (122)
Why am I even writing this, everybody knows this is brilliant. DOS Rensch (169)
The one that started it all!!! DOS ggfournar (6)
I would become a pirate just to be able to play this game DOS Unicorn Lynx Bronze Star Contributing Member (72406)
One of the best adventure games ever. DOS Stephen Breuer (2)
The original and best. Influential and brilliant DOS Shazbut (155)
I love the sea, I love the grog, I love the sound of a swords fight! DOS Eugen Andreev (5)

The Press Says

Quandary DOS Apr, 1997 5 Stars5 Stars5 Stars5 Stars5 Stars 100
Puntaeclicca.it DOS Jan, 1999 10 out of 10 100
Retrogaming.it DOS Apr 01, 2008 10 out of 10 100
Defunct Games SEGA CD Aug 19, 2006 93 out of 100 93
Power Play DOS Jan, 1991 92 out of 100 92
Tap-Repeatedly/Four Fat Chicks DOS Jan 25, 2002 4 Stars4 Stars4 Stars4 Stars4 Stars 80
HonestGamers DOS May 15, 2005 8 out of 10 80
Adventure Classic Gaming DOS Mar 14, 1998 4 out of 5 80
Sega-16.com SEGA CD Sep 04, 2006 8 out of 10 80
Just Adventure DOS 2000 C 50

Forums

Topic # Posts Last Post
MI, a real phoenix 3 vedder Bronze Star Contributing Member (7658)
Jun 09, 2009
Talkie 3 WildKard (11879)
Feb 20, 2008
A disturbing walkthrough for the game 4 Depeche Mike Isguder Bronze Star Contributing Member (15567)
Oct 16, 2007
Dial-a-Pirate copy protection 17 Pondo Frost
May 22, 2007

Trivia

The character of Herman Toothrot was added because the script was running a little slow once you got to Monkey Island...the player needed someone to talk to.

THE Secret of Monkey Island has never actually been revealed by Ron Gilbert, but some peopple believe that it has to do with the anachronisms in the games.

Ron Gilbert said that he wanted to make a pirate game for a long time, because when he was little he loved the Pirates of the Caribbean ride in Disneyland but wanted to "get out" and explore the ships.

Stan is reportedly Ron Gilbert's favorite character in all of the Monkey Island games.


This entry was contributed by POMAH (20225), Kabushi (52023), IJan (1980), Terok Nor (10803) and Unicorn Lynx Bronze Star Contributing Member (72406)
 

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