Sam & Max Episode 2: Situation Comedy

Play Sam & Max now on Gametap!

Publisher: Gametap
Developer: Telltale Games
Release: Dec 20, 2006

Yahoo! Rating: 4.5 out of 5

Pros:

• Easy to pick up
• Doesn't require players to have completed the first episode
• Small download
• Loaded with sarcastic humor

Cons:

• Driving segments are annoying
• Puzzles don't take much work
• Occasional loading hiccup

Last month's debut of brought celebration amongst old-school gamers. Sam & Max were back and the terrible twosome lost none of their magic. A few things changed -- the interface was simplified and the voice actors were new -- but the game stayed true to the spirit of the much-loved LucasArts original. This week's release of Episode 2 continues the trend and proves that yes, episodic gaming can work.

In case you're not familiar with the world of Sam & Max, it's a satirical commentary on the current state of pop culture taken to the extreme and wrapped around a nifty, pointy-clicky graphic adventure. You'll laugh. You'll cry. You'll click your mouse as you navigate the two "freelance police" through various puzzles in order to solve the mystery of the month.

The problem that is posed to the pair this time around has to do with a morning talk show host gone mad. "Myra" is holding her studio audience hostage, while forcing them to accept outrageous gifts. This horrendous action has brought WARP TV to a complete halt and it's up to Sam and Max to get to the bottom of things.

If you've played through Episode 1, you'll notice a number of common areas and characters between the two games -- like the detective office -- but a large portion of the world is all new. The reused content has received a small facelift, so anyone worried about a retread can put their mind to ease. Visually, the game is solid, looking and feeling like a twisted cartoon come to life.

Though returning fans will appreciate the references from the first episode, new players shouldn't worry about experiencing Sam & Max out of order. Just like its namesake television programming, each episode of the game is a stand-alone experience.

Where the game really shines is in its writing, as Episode 2 riffs on just about anything and everything having to do with the mass media and reality TV. If you've ever bemoaned the lack of creativity on the boob tube, you're going to be rolling when the game sends up everything from American Idol to Keanu Reaves.

While it's easy to say that the series is hitting its stride with the second episode, it still lacks serious challenge in the puzzle department. One of the joys of the classic adventure genre was spending time exploring, trying different options, and figuring out exactly what needed to be done to progress. The first episode understandably kept things relatively simple, so it would have been good to see the challenged upped for the next iteration.

Most puzzles are linear fetch quests. For example, the first requires Sam & Max to audition for a role on a TV show. To play the part of a rabid dog, you need shaving cream (which is on sale right inside the front door of the local store) and you need to cry on demand... not hard when you start with a tear gas gun in your inventory. To be fair, the riddles get a bit more involved, but not by much.

Total play time for the second episode clocks in at under 10 hours, but that's decent when you consider that it also retails for less than $10. It's currently available as an exclusive title for GameTap subscribers and then officially goes on sale early next year.

Based on what we've seen so far, Sam & Max is showing the world how exceedingly well episodic gaming can be implemented. Packed with humor, easy to pick up and play, and perfect for both casual and hardcore gamers, there's plenty to like about this quirky, oddly paired detective duo.