Tales of Monkey Island

History

The Monkey Island series first reared its head back in 1990, when The Secret of Monkey Island emerged to claim the hearts of gamers everywhere and rewrite the rules on adventure games. The innovative title told the story of wannabe buccaneer Guybrush Threepwood, following him as he tooks his first steps into the world of piracy and untold adventure on and around Monkey Island. Hilarious dialogue, inventive puzzles, atmospheric locations and a somewhat unconventional love story lay at the heart of The Secret of Monkey Island - elements that would remain staples of the series from that moment forth.

Back in 1990, there were a number of features distinguishing the game from other adventure titles of the time. The most notable perhaps being the fact that The Secret of Monkey Island allowed players to explore their surroundings and interact with the world without much risk of dying or reaching a dead end were they to unwittingly perform the wrong action. The emphasis lay on fun, accessible gameplay that didn't punish people for trying anything and everything to see what would happen.

The Secret of Monkey Island was followed by Monkey Island 2: LeChuck’s Revenge (1992), The Curse of Monkey Island (1997) and Escape from Monkey Island (2000) – all of which continued to centre on the exploits of Guybrush as he endured voodoo curses, relationship troubles and ongoing conflict with the many incarnations of his arch nemesis, LeChuck.

Almost 20 years after the first of these titles was released, the accessible gameplay that has underpinned the series throughout continues to act as the foundation upon which the brand-new Tales of Monkey Island for WiiWare is built.

Chapter 1 - Launch of the Screaming Narwhal

A new Monkey Island adventure dawns with Guybrush Threepwood in a typically tight spot. With his beloved (if a little stubborn) wife Elaine having been kidnapped by zombie pirate LeChuck, Guybrush sets out on a collision course with his old foe to settle things once and for all.

Of course, finishing off LeChuck is something of a tall order, and only after a consultation with the mysterious Voodoo Lady is Guybrush suitably prepared for the task at hand. Having collected nearly all of the ingredients necessary to forge The Cursed Cutlass of Kaflu, Guybrush prepares himself to strike the decisive blow in his never-ending feud with LeChuck.

But this is Guybrush Threepwood we’re talking about, and nothing is necessarily as straightforward as it appears. In fact, what might be his greatest moment could very quickly descend into farce and act as a starting point for his most challenging and outrageous adventure yet...

Chapter 2 - The Siege of Spinner Cay

Freshly escaped from the winds of Flotsam Island, this second chapter picks up right where we first left our intrepid hero: with the blade of an unknown woman against his throat! But this is only the beginning…

Guybrush's adventures on the high seas continue as pox-plagued pirates lay siege to the innocent Mer-People. In between defending the Mer-People and dodging the persistent pirate hunter hot on his trail, Guybrush manages to catch up to his beloved wife Elaine and despised arch-nemesis LeChuck - the more heart-warming of those two reunions proving to be painfully short-lived.

Now Guybrush must focus on eradicating the Pox of LeChuck before any more harm can be done. But as the Mighty Pirate™ draws closer to finding a cure, the waters continue to grow murkier by the minute in the thrilling second chapter of the epic saga.

Chapter 3 - Lair of the Leviathan

Guybrush’s adventures could often be described as landing him in deep waters, but the latest plot twist in the riveting Tales of Monkey Island takes him to whole new depths! As he continues his search for the precious La Esponja Grande (The Big Sponge) to reverse the effects of the voodoo curse, he finds himself taking a trip into the guts of a giant manatee!

Trapped in the belly of the beast, our hero encounters a surprising band of castaways, including the long-lost (and obsessive-compulsive) explorer Coronado De Cava. Can the Mighty Pirate win the suspicious De Cava's trust? Will pirate hunter Morgan LeFlay prove to be a ruthless enemy, or an unlikely ally? Will the group find La Esponja Grande in time to save Elaine from the rampant Pox of LeChuck? And will the world be crushed by the gnashing teeth of a certain evil skull?

Tales of Monkey Island's third episode, Lair of the Leviathan, will answer some of these urgent questions - and raise still more - as the five-part adventure builds to its epic climax!

Chapter 4 - The Trial and Execution of Guybrush Threepwood

Prepare for conspiracies, betrayal and shocking revelations as the Tales of Monkey Island intensity builds!
 
Guybrush returns to Flotsam Island, but forget about a hero's welcome. Handed over to De Singe by the backstabbing Morgan LeFlay, Guybrush is seized by an angry mob and put on trial! With a silk-tongued prosecutor in his face and a hangman's noose dangling over his neck, Guybrush must figure out how to defend himself against grave accusations.

Meanwhile, the determined Marquis sets his sights on a new and far more attractive test subject. How on earth will the Mighty Pirate get out of this mess? The monthly Tales of Monkey Island tension continues to mount in "The Trial and Execution of Guybrush Threepwood." Brace yourself for a shocking revelation that will rock the world of Monkey Island to its core.

Chapter 5 - Rise of the Pirate God

With the Monkey Island world in tatters at the conclusion of the fourth Tales of Monkey Island chapter, we're all left to wonder: who can save the Caribbean?! LeChuck is revealing surprising new characteristics yet again, Guybrush has met a shocking fate, and Elaine must confront the ultimate evil with everything at stake! Your adventure takes you far beyond the stormy isles as you experience the Rise of the Pirate God!