Sea of Thieves Docks at Monkey Island in New Expansion

Written by Ivo Teel — June 12, 2023 at 06:28

Pirate legends hold on to your parrots and steel yourselves for an encounter with the Mighty Pirate as the world of Monkey Island makes a splash in Sea of Thieves, courtesy of a three-part Tall Tale expansion developed in collaboration with Lucasfilm Games.

The new addition, named The Legend of Monkey Island, was announced at the recent Xbox Games Showcase. This crossover will be launched in monthly installments starting July 20, spinning a brand-new narrative featuring beloved characters (and voice actors) from the Monkey Island series.

However, a cloud hovers over this otherwise exciting news. It's been revealed that Monkey Island series creator Ron Gilbert was not consulted about the project and was only informed about its existence. The absence of Gilbert's creative vision, which is so intrinsic to the beloved Monkey Island universe, has raised a few eyebrows and prompted conversations among fans and industry insiders.

Despite the controversy, Sea of Thieves players will set sail on an adventure alongside the likes of Guybrush Threepwood, the formidable ghost captain LeChuck, and the humorous Murray the Demonic Talking Skull, among others. The quest will take them to Mêlée Island and Monkey Island, now freely explorable and packed with puzzles.

According to Sea of Thieves Creative Director Mike Chapman, the collaboration with Lucasfilm Games was birthed from a simple hypothetical question: "What if Guybrush and co. arrived on the Sea of Thieves?" This question was first considered during the development of 'A Pirate’s Life', the previous Sea of Thieves crossover with Pirates of the Caribbean.

Chapman expressed his excitement about retelling an original story in a world they admire and have often drawn inspiration from during the development of Sea of Thieves. He spoke passionately about the unique experience of integrating the traditional point-and-click adventure format into the immersive world of Sea of Thieves, enabling players to feel like they are truly inhabiting those spaces.

The timing of 'The Legend of Monkey Island' within the Monkey Island timeline was also a key consideration. The Sea of Thieves tale is set when Guybrush marries Elaine, his love, after 'The Curse of Monkey Island'. It explores the idea of Guybrush and Elaine honeymooning in the Sea of Thieves, creating an engaging entry point for the new storyline.

Chapman emphasized celebrating the iconic locations in the Monkey Island universe. The team took painstaking efforts to replicate the aesthetic, style, and feel of locations like the Scumm Bar, the Clocktower, and the monkey head on Monkey Island, enabling players to explore them at their own pace and unravel puzzles gradually.

While the crossover will surely tickle the nostalgia of Monkey Island fans, it's also expected to introduce the classic game to a whole new audience. Chapman expressed his hopes that Sea of Thieves players, after experiencing the Monkey Island world, would seek out the original series and its latest entry, Return to Monkey Island. He emphasized the team's responsibility to deliver an authentic Monkey Island experience that aligns with the original games' tone, characters, and world.

As the Sea of Thieves community eagerly anticipates this crossover, one cannot help but wonder how Gilbert's involvement might have shaped this thrilling amalgamation of two beloved pirate universes. Fans can now chart these uncharted waters without the captain who started it all. Sail on, me hearties, for a whirlwind of swashbuckling adventures awaits you.