Sam & Max Save The World Review
Written By Stephen Heller
Sam & Max are a beloved franchise, starting out as a comic duo in the 1980’s, they really exploded on the scene with the Lucasarts point and click adventure Sam & Max Hit the Road. Fast forward thirteen years and TellTale Games have released a new Sam & Max adventure in episodic content.
Sam & Max Season 1 (Sam & Max Save The World) features six episodes, each with their individual storyline that fits into an overall story arc. Each episode features roughly 3-4 hours of gameplay, but the developers manage to package a lot of laughs into those few hours. Join us as we do a quick review run on each episode.
Episode 1: Culture Shock
Sam & Max are called into action by the elusive commissioner after a gang of former child stars known as the Soda Poppers have begun vandalizing the local community, promoting a self help video EyeBo created by former child star Brady Culture. Sam & Max learn that the video has hypnotised the Soda Poppers, and after breaking the hypnotic trance they track down and stop Brady Culture.
The Verdict
The first episode of the new Sam & Max Adventure is everything fans have been waiting thirteen years for. It features over the top and witty dialogue with some genuine laugh till you cry moments that are memorable. The gameplay mechanics are simple and fun, and it’s a great start to the season.
8.0/10
Episode 2: Situation: Comedy
Talk show host Myra has taken a studio audience hostage refusing to let them leave as she babbles on with guest after guest. This sounds like a misadventure perfect for the Freelance Police. Unfortunately for Sam & Max they need to become celebrities to be featured on the talk show. Due to all the studio actors being held up in the talk show, this gives Sam & Max a chance to get onto other popular TV shows, leading to an interview with Myra. Once on the set, Sam & Max realise a toy bear sitting on the host’s desk is causing a hypnotic trance, and after electrocuting the bear and the host, the audience is then able to leave.
The Verdict
While building on the story left behind from the first episode, Situation Comedy feels to be lacking the excitement the first episode brought with it. While it does well at poking fun at the subject matter at hand, reality TV shows and other media, it lacks the comedy gold the first episode displayed. Still it’s a solid effort that paves the way for future instalments.
6.5/10
Episode 3: The Mole, The Mob and The Meatball
The commissioner’s mole who was infiltrating the Toy Mafia has gone quiet, so Sam & Max are thrown onto the case. The infiltrate the Mafia and gain their trust, before discovering the mafia are mass producing the hypnotic bears to take over the world.
The Verdict
Episode 3 certainly picks up the slack that was left behind from Situation Comedy. Max’s precision cutting comedic lines backed up by a compelling chapter in the saga show the true potential of this crime fighting duo.
8.2/10
Episode 4: Abe Lincoln Must Die
The president of the Unites States has begun issuing rather bizarre policies, and after the introduction of gun restrictions, Max is rather concerned. It is soon learned that the president has been hypnotised, and the Freelance Police are on the case. It turns out the president is actually a robot, designed to hypnotise the public through TV broadcasts, and through a strange chain of events, Max runs for president against a giant Abe Lincoln statue brought to life.
The Verdict
Politically incorrect? Check! Comedy gold? Check. Fun? Check. The fourth episode in the series brings it to new heights, truly pushing the boundaries of the story, while bringing with it a sense of a bigger picture.
8.5/10
Episode 5: Reality 2.0
The world economy is collapsing, all due to a computer crisis. Sam & Max are on the case, and they discover that a virtual reality program called Reality 2.0 is to blame. Sam & Max jump into this new internet powered reality, and discover that the program is hypnotising people so they never want to leave. It’s up to Sam & Max to destroy….THE INTERNET!
The Verdict
The funniest episode yet! Reality 2.0 pokes fun at certain MMO titles, and has a chuckle at things that are commonplace in modern video games and the information super highway. Featuring the funniest banter thus far, and a storyline that is truly remarkable, this is proof that Sam & Max are still as relevant today as they were back in 1993.
9.4/10
Episode 6: Bright Side Of The Moon
When destroying the Internet it left a clue behind to who has been the mastermind in all of these hypnotic acts. After Sam works out who is to blame, the duo travel to the Moon, and confront the enemy.
The Verdict
A fitting end to what has been a fantastic series. Episode 6 is full of the same humor and wit that has come to be expected of the series, along with shocking revelations and a fantastic conclusion.
9.0/10
The Final Verdict
Sam & Max Save the World (Season 1) is a great series of episodic adventure games, featuring the unique brand of humour that fans of the duo have come to love. It has loveable characters, memorable quotes and gameplay to boot. The story is fun and exciting, and ultimately this game should suit almost everyone.
9.0/10