My original playing order and years I played them in:
- MI2 (1995/1996)
- CURSE (1998/1999)
- ESCAPE (2000)
- SECRET (2000/2001)
- TALES (2010)
As a child playing these games and not knowing better. I kinda just took each game as a separate thing, like an episode of “The Simpsons”, the characters are the same and the general feel is also the same, but the continuity is “thin” and the canon “unimportant”, the “Monkey Island” series was merely a means to send these characters on wacky continuing adventures.
On growing up and continuing on with the series. I witnessing the “Escape” opening cut-scene, where it has a brief retelling of all past games and LeChuck forms, that was my first real showing that, “oh these games actually do have a bit of canon to them.”
At about the point I played MI1, I was happy with the idea that all these games could be canon, and thought nothing of it.
On hearing about the remakes and “Tales” I decided to replay them again. This is where the cracks in the canon first showed to me. I was older, more aware of the differences in characterization and story telling.
The brilliant end of MI2 leading into the (smart) but extremely jarring beginning of Curse… I learned about the different developers, and Ron’s original plan of a trilogy.
I still loved them all, but I had a new thought process to the whole thing which on playing “Tales” was cemented in my mind.
I like to think that they all are still canon but what happens is we have 2 separate timelines which skew off at the ending of MI2.
Look at it like this:
Timeline 1 (The one we got):
Guybrush is cursed by LeChuck at the end of MI2, though through his usual resourcefulness and positive attitude he figures out an escape from LeChucks cursed pirate carnival. Twarting his enemy yet again, left stranded out in the middle of the ocean on a bumper car with few supplies. Though, this leads us to his many other adventures where the world is a brighter place. Elaine lets down her guard and becomes more reliant on Guybrush eventually the 2 marry. LeChuck becomes more of a joke villian, a rouge, nearly an old chum, destined to do the back and forth endlessly with Guybrush… and Guybrush is happier with his life thus he becomes more silly, soft and weaselly. Our lovable loser.
Timeline 2 (the one we may never get)
Guybrush is cursed by LeChuck at the end of MI2, he is kept there essentially “on Ice” with no chance to escape the nightmarish pirate carnival… will we ever find out what happens? will Guybrush ever escape this spell? It leads to a darker world. Elaine leaves Dinky Island after waiting for Guybrush to no avail, on assuming his death, she returns to Melee to maintain law and order, never having to rely on Guybrush thus never letting down her guard down, maintaining her self assured attitude. LeChuck keeps Guybrush in the nightmare and returns conquering the 7 seas and becoming the pirate ruler of the Caribbean, still trying to fruitlessly force himself on Elaine. Thus the cycle continues with no bright-eyed bushy-tailed wannabe pirate, to try save the day… what of the poor Mr. Brush?
well… the only answers lay deep in a dark blue 3a