Sam and Max Season 1 — videogame review
As I’ve stated before, I don’t usually write about video or computer games, but I’ve found another that I have to say something about. You see, I was a huge adventure game enthusiast back in the day, and Sam and Max Hit the Road is easily one of my favorite adventure games of all time. So, imagine my surprise when, strolling the aisles of the local Fry’s, I find that Telltale Game’s Sam and Max Season 1 has finally been released! Awesome! (note: this actually came out in August, but due to Telltale’s complete lack of advertising, I had no idea).
But, wait. I had to ask myself whether this was indeed a good thing. My other longtime adventure gaming fave, Leisure Suit Larry, had recently seen a complete trampling and bastardization by Vivendi Universal, with their stunningly inept, stupid, and lame Magna Cum Laude. But, while that project did everything in its power to sabotoge any good memory of the old games (even preventing series creator Al Lowe from working on the project), Sam and Max had the full cooperation of Steve Purcell. I snatched the little box up right quick.
Now, I’m not that far into the game, so I can’t really offer a solid review, but I will say I am very pleasantly surprised. The game may be 3-D, but the essence of the LucasArts original is very much the same. The humor, the animation, the voice acting, the music, all great. Plus, a lot of the opening locales are straight digitizations of the original animated counterparts, preserving the whole off-kilter perspective,while adding new subtleties such as background easter-eggs for fans of the comic (note the Max paper bag puppet on the bulletin board in Sam and Max’s office).
Season 1 features six individual cases for Sam and Max to solve (much like their old TV show) but with a main storyline to tie it all together (or so the promo copy states. I’m not far enough to notice yet.). And from what I’ve seen, it’s very much like the old setup, collecting items, interrogating witnesses, and finding clever solutions to obtuse problems. I’m digging it.
The game comes with a Sam and Max poster, as well as an extras disc featuring Sam and Max wallpapers, MP3s, trailers for the five upcoming seasons (yes!) and a making of video featuring interviews with Steve Purcell and the Telltale Games team.
All in all, I like what I’ve seen quite a bit. Now here’s hoping my workload can slow down enough for me to really enjoy it :D
As an added bonus, here’s the promo trailer for the game, along with an episode of the television show:
Sam and Max Flash short by Steve Purcell
:
e3 Promo
:
Episode 1 Season 2 part 1
Episode 1 part 2
And, finally, check out the Max for President website. I’m currently digging Ron Paul, but if he doesn’t make it, I’m voting Max all the way.
About the Author
