I began this game with no previous experience in the world of Sam and Max, so I entered with an open mind. I honestly did not expect the level of humour involved in this masterpiece and I am actually going to have to play through it again now just to hear every morsel of conversation.
The game looks as though it should be a kiddies game, but nothing could be further from the truth, it’s filled with innuendos and violent scenes in a suitably cartoonish environment . Parents be warned, don’t purchase this for anyone under 15 or if you do it’s at your own risk!
The game is split into six episodes, effectively making it six games in one. Each episode can be played consecutively or in any order you wish, personally I recommend playing them in order as you get to know the characters and situations in a more linear fashion easing you into the surreal world that these freelance policemen inhabit. Oh did I mention that Sam is a dog and Max is a homicidal bunny rabbit who also happens to be president?
The game controls are a little too sensitive having originally been intended for PC use, the cursor flying about like a roadrunner on speed on occasion. But you soon get used to this and it actually allows you to manoeuvre faster than you do in a lot of the newly released point and click adventures available. I recommend playing through the tutorial if you haven’t played a Sam and Max adventure before as it may take you around the same time to figure out the controls on your own and unlike other games of the genre the tutorial is actually entertaining enough to warrant the time it takes to run through.
The gameplay is not limited to point and click, it often takes you into amusing little mini-games which are integral to the plot, such as a driving section where your goal is to run over various predetermined objects in order to pimp your car and a punch out style mini-game that will bring back a feeling of nostalgia for all those old school Nintendo fan boys and girls out there.
There are a lot of pop culture references that should stand the test of time quite well, including a homage to Metal Gear Solid in the second episode. See if you can spot it, or rather hear it. The writers must have been on something when they created the story for this gem of a game. Whatever it was keep it up lads, bring us more of the same if you would be so kind.
Anyway I could write for hours about this game but frankly I would rather go play it again, it really is that much fun.
As far as I can see the only let down on this game is the control system, but even that is a minor flaw in the face of a great adventure game. Worth every point.
VideogameUK verdict: 8/10
