Return of the Tentacle vs The Secret of Monkey Island: Special Edition
Side-by-side comparison of features, pricing, ratings, and alternatives.
Return of the Tentacle: Prologue continues the classic LucasArts adventure two years after Day of the Tentacle. Bernard, Laverne, and Hoagie reunite to stop Purple Tentacle's new world‑conquering scheme by hopping through time once more. The game blends retro point‑and‑click mechanics with fresh puzzles, witty dialogue, and hand‑drawn visuals, delivering a nostalgic yet original experience for fans of the original series.
The Secret of Monkey Island: Special Edition brings the beloved 1990 point-and-click adventure to modern platforms with hand‑painted graphics, fully voiced dialogue, and a revamped interface. Explore the Caribbean, meet quirky characters, and master the art of insult swordfighting as you search for the legendary treasure. This edition adds HD resolution, a hint system, and extra content like developer commentary, making it perfect for both nostalgic fans and newcomers looking for a witty, puzzle‑rich adventure.
- Faithful continuation of the original story and humor.
- Cross‑platform support for Linux, Windows, and macOS.
- Hand‑drawn art and voice acting enhance immersion.
- Complex time‑travel puzzles provide satisfying challenges.
- Beautifully remastered visuals
- Fully voiced dialogue adds immersion
- Hint system aids without hand‑holding
- Includes extra developer content
- Limited to single‑player experience.
- May feel too niche for players unfamiliar with the original.
- Occasional UI quirks on older Linux distributions.
- Limited to single‑player experience
- Some puzzles can feel obtuse
- Controls may feel dated to newcomers
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The Verdict
AI-generated from listing dataBoth are classic point‑and‑click adventures, but Return of the Tentacle offers a newer fan‑made sequel with hand‑drawn art at a lower price, while Monkey Island Special Edition provides a polished remaster with higher‑resolution graphics and extra developer content at a higher cost.
Key differences
- •Release date and freshness: Return of the Tentacle (2018) vs. Monkey Island SE (2009).
- •Graphics style: hand‑drawn retro art vs. high‑definition hand‑painted remaster.
- •Additional content: Monkey Island includes developer commentary and an Insult Swordfighting tutorial; Return of the Tentacle has no extra behind‑the‑scenes material.
- •Price: $14.99 vs. $19.99.
- •Platform support: both cover Linux, Windows, macOS, but Return of the Tentacle explicitly mentions a single download for all three.
Gameplay & fun factor
Return of the Tentacle adds time‑travel puzzles and new story continuity, offering fresh challenges beyond the original.
Platform availability
Both support Linux, Windows, and macOS.
Price & value
Return of the Tentacle costs $14.99 versus $19.99 for Monkey Island, a $5 savings.
Multiplayer / co‑op
Both are single‑player only.
Content & replayability
Monkey Island includes extra developer commentary, behind‑the‑scenes videos, and an Insult Swordfighting tutorial.
Difficulty & accessibility
Monkey Island offers an optional hint system; Return of the Tentacle does not mention any hint aid.
Graphics & performance
Monkey Island’s high‑definition hand‑painted artwork is visually superior to Return of the Tentacle’s retro hand‑drawn style.
Choose Return of the Tentacle if…
Fans wanting a new story continuation with lower cost and fresh puzzles.
Choose The Secret of Monkey Island: Special Edition if…
Players who prefer polished remastered visuals, extra behind‑the‑scenes content, and optional hints.
Common questions
Which game is cheaper?
Return of the Tentacle costs $14.99; The Secret of Monkey Island: Special Edition costs $19.99.
Do either of the games have a hint system?
Only Monkey Island Special Edition includes an optional hint system.
Are both games available on Linux?
Yes, both list Linux support; Return of the Tentacle explicitly mentions a single download for Linux, Windows, and macOS.