That's the second biggest insult fight I've ever seen!
As a fellow Monkey Island fan I completely got the concept and figured it out. I could see why it would seem kind of obtuse to those that haven't spent time getting lousy t-shirts on Melee island. The controls did not feel very responsive however, and the text flies by very fast. It was also difficult to trigger fights with the top 2 pirates in the scene. Overall though, gameplay gets good marks from me because I appreciate your Monkey Island vibes.
Graphics are wonderful, I love the cartoonish art style. I particularly love the character close up when he's reacting to being told his love has been sent to jail. His expression is so good I can hear him in my head.
No soundtrack or FX I could hear, but I get that it's hard to find time for these things.
Gameboy soul is a 3 out of 5 from me. Felt more PC gamey, but that could just be the influence of the inspiration.
Quirkiness is something this game exudes.
Secondary theme interpretation... I get that you have to become the roughest toughest scalleywag with the sharpest tongue on the seven seas to get the money to spring your love from jail but, the old gold theme is sort of a stretch.
Overall very fun and high marks from me because this is like it was designed in a lab and laser targeted at me specifically. Well done.