The publisher pitch

The late 1600s were the best of times for pirates. Secure in their Caribbean strongholds, they amassed huge fortunes, plundering shipments of New World gold. Tales of pirate wealth attracted many adventurers, among them our hero who lands in the port of Melee with high hopes, no money, and an insatiable curiosity. If he's clever enough, he will win the confidence of Melee's pirates and soon find himself blown by the winds of fate toward the terrifying and legendary Monkey Island -- an adventure that would chill the bones of even the most bloodthirsty buccaneer.

THE SECRET OF MONKEY ISLAND is Lucasfilm Games' most ambitious graphic adventure yet. Like its award-winning predecessor, INDIANA JONES(R) AND THE LAST CRUSADE, it features high resolution graphics and special animation. In addition, MONKEY ISLAND has proportional scaling in character animation, innovative "camera angles," and significant streamlining enhancements to the acclaimed interface.

The player is treated to a wide variety of original entertaining puzzles. Some take the form of dialogue, in which the player has to unravel hidden meaning in hilarious repartee. "The one-liners are more lethal than the bad guys," explains Ron Gilbert, the game's designer. Others are puzzles in which clues and objects from diverse locations combine to advance the player toward end game. Intriguing visual puzzles contribute as much to the atmosphere of the game as they do to the challenge.

The first few puzzles in the game are relatively easy. More subtle ones follow. "A first-time adventure gamer won't feel too frustrated by MONKEY ISLAND," according to Gilbert, "and will experience the same level of complexity and challenges in game play as in MANIAC MANSION(TM) or INDY, for example."