I need to make some direct comparisons to The Secret of Monkey Island (10/10) otherwise it's hard to illustrate what are the things this game lacks. So here we go:
-Objective: In the first game, Guybrush wanted to become a pirate. Later in the game, governor, which he kind of had a crush on, was kidnapped so he went after to save her. In this game Guybrush goes after a treasure we know nothing about. Totally not motivating.
-Atmosphere: In the first game there was this feel of danger and threat of ghost pirate LeChuck from the very start of the game when the player entered the Scumm bar and talked to the characters. You also had this mean sheriff Fester Shinetop to look out for. The whole Melee island was lively. In this game you kinda get the same thing at the start of the game but Scabb island is dead, there is no-one there. And all this spooky and threatening atmosphere is almost totally forgotten in the way too long second chapter of the game.
-"Realism": The first game was funny, childlike adventure in which you could totally dive into the adventure. This game, however, is full of scripted disappointments and reminds you of the boring real life. Nagging Elaine is the best example I can give you, Guybrush also faces a lot of misfortunes.
All in all, just doesn't feel like a grand adventure for me.
-Objective: In the first game, Guybrush wanted to become a pirate. Later in the game, governor, which he kind of had a crush on, was kidnapped so he went after to save her. In this game Guybrush goes after a treasure we know nothing about. Totally not motivating.
-Atmosphere: In the first game there was this feel of danger and threat of ghost pirate LeChuck from the very start of the game when the player entered the Scumm bar and talked to the characters. You also had this mean sheriff Fester Shinetop to look out for. The whole Melee island was lively. In this game you kinda get the same thing at the start of the game but Scabb island is dead, there is no-one there. And all this spooky and threatening atmosphere is almost totally forgotten in the way too long second chapter of the game.
-"Realism": The first game was funny, childlike adventure in which you could totally dive into the adventure. This game, however, is full of scripted disappointments and reminds you of the boring real life. Nagging Elaine is the best example I can give you, Guybrush also faces a lot of misfortunes.
All in all, just doesn't feel like a grand adventure for me.