I can’t believe your alacrity.
I wonder: what are your early memories of Monkey Island?
When did you realise it was the thing for you?
Victoria Kennedy:It was also a friend for me, or at least one of my brothers friends.
My first memories of Monkey Island are not actually playing it, but seeing other people playing it.
To put it simply, it really made me happy.
I hope this makes sense!
What is it about this series that you think makes it so endearing, and enduring?
They could make jokes about being games?
But maybe more than anything its that sense of place.
I was always slightly disappointed that you visit Monkey Island itself during the day.
Do you have any favourite locations?
Victoria:I also loved, and still love, the way the game breaks the fourth wall!
Hmm, as for locations, there are some great ones to pick from.
From the first game, the Scumm Bar immediately springs to mind!
That was incredible for me.
Do you have a particular puzzle that you still remember, for better or for worse?
Chris:Its the structure of puzzles I remember more than the puzzles themselves.
I really, really love the Three Trials, because its almost an open-world thing.
Its a series of challenges that send you out across Melee Island and the whole island provides the solution.
I also love the way that it always subverts your expectations - the easy solutions are never correct.
I also loved gathering the ingredients to get to Monkey Island - how about you?
Victoria:Insult Swordfighting!
I am rubber, you are glue!
I also completely agree with your comment about how the puzzles often subvert your expectations.
I just love that logic!
Are there any puzzles or locations you are hoping we get the chance to revisit inReturn to Monkey Island?
Chris:Im playing it now, so I cant answer that!
It seemed like such a clever, Monkey Islandish way to talk about nostalgia?
I love that game, even though I know Ron Gilberts very down on it.
Did you like the sequels much?
Victoria:Curse, yes very much.
The final two, not as much to be honest.
The large chunk spent inside (can I add spoilers here?)
the manatee in Tales felt too… gosh I actually cant think of a word for this one.
But I didnt especially enjoy that part.
I did, however, like the introduction of Morgan LeFlay.
What did you think of them?
Chris:I played 4 and quite liked it, but I cant remember the Telltale ones at all.
I think LeChucks Revenge really holds up, as the weird, spooky middle-act?
I think that this could be a lot of fun if done with the right team behind it.
As I have already mentioned, I love Elaine.
Chris:Definitely Melee.
Its like a little theme park.
Its probably my favourite video game island, up there with Wind-Waker stuff and The Silent Cartographer.
That is precisely it!
I also posed this question to Return to Monkey Islands developers earlier this week.
Dave Grossman and Returns art director Rex Crowle both said Melee as well, but for two different reasons.
And then the time came, we had to start working on the Monkey Island parts.
And then, no people in them.
And so just kind of stuck them in.
Meanwhile, Crowle loves the dark and mysterious atmosphere of Melee.
