[GoT]

REVIEW: Sam and Max Season 1 episode 3!
The Mole, The Mob and the Meatball!

Well, about 3 minutes ago i completed episode 3 of season one of Sam and Max. I had reached a sudden brick wall in Tales of Monkey Island and so decided it was time to head back to my freelance police and try to finish what i'd started a few days before hand. Just like the other 2 episodes i played, i tried to do a little bit at a time. Basically, if i cracked open the game to the point where i'd just discovered a new screen or scenario then i'd log off and play something else for a while.

Storyline: Well, this one starts off seeming like a pretty good little Mobster casino storyline. Unfortunately i lost interest pretty early on. I'm not sure whether it was anything at all to do with not being able to solve the first major drama (beating someone at a game of highest card) or whether the moles bored me; but I think it was a case of the storyline failing to fire early. At about the mid point somewhere things suddenly got interesting, and after another brief action scene (another car chase which is now a regular occurrence in each of the first 3 episodes) I found myself suddenly dragged into a very humerous and climactic (if not predictable) end to the 3rd part of the story. As usual theres a few little surprises to be had also and another couple of fun characters were introduced. I think the latter part of this particular plot line was quite fun and if not for the weak beginning I would have rated it much higher. Its a bit of a shame too because I found this particular episode MUCH funnier than the previous two, the jokes were quite well incorporated into the story and I found myself having a giggle on numerous occasions.SCORE: 5.5/10



Puzzles: Although the puzzles in this episode are just as clever, funny and appropriate as the last 2 episodes, I was only challenged once (that being on beating someone at a game of highest card in teh casino) and that wasn't due to lack of inventory items, which were laying on the ground right at the start of the episode. Due to the easy nature of the vast majority of the puzzles the game only took 3 little sittings to complete rather than the 5 or 6 that I went through for the first two eps. This could also be though that I'm finally getting back into the Adventure swing of things after a long hiatus. I thought that on occasion there could have been one or two more interactive puzzles within some of the larger puzzles. For example, and this isnt a spoiler so fear not (its not a spoiler because its not an adventure puzzle), shooting the rats in the machine at the casino could have been turned into a puzzle itself rather than an unsatisfying action sequence, and hiding a few more items around the casino (which is a lovely drawn room with very little usage) to maybe jam up and break the machine may have been the way to go. Even forcing the player to run back and forwards to Sybils (who doesnt play as big a part in the puzzles as previous games) may have been the go. Either way, I guess the puzzles were a little too light on, I finished the game way too easily but definitely enjoyed the 2nd half of the puzzles in the manner that they were quite funny. SCORE: 5/10



Graphics: Although episode 3 uses the same graphics as the last 2 episodes (and thus you'd expect the same score) I think that i'm going to give it extra points for some creative and quite pretty to watch cut scenes.(

Spoiler:

especially one right near the end where Sam and Max are blown through the air after wrecking the machine

) The casino was also quite well drawn and I was dissapointed (as mentioned above) that it was not utised more in the game. Perhaps we'll see it again in another episode? Only way im going to find that out is the keep on playing through them. SCORE: 8.5/10



Sound: Same fantastic voice actors and same well produced game sounds and background music. However, i particularly loved the song at the end of the game. Sitting there through those credit scenes at the end of sam and max is beginning to be quite enjoyable and satisfying. I think i read somewhere that you can buy the soundtrack. That is something i may have to look into once i've completed all the games. SCORE: 9.5/10

Controls: The control system is still probably one of the best control systems going around. Simple point and click and no messing about with the inventory too much (which becomes bothersome quickly in other games). SCORE: 9/10

Presentation: As usual, full marks. Telltale once again present this product professionally and its a pleasure to be able to so easily pay for, download, install, run, alt-tab in and out of etc.... all so easy. and the interface of saving/loading etc is all very smooth and fuss free. The game loads almost instantly (im sure if i had a newer PC it would be instant) and there is basically zero waiting around time. You just play play play. SCORE: 10/10

Overall I've awarded the game a healthy 79%. Although at first (if you've read the other 2 sam and max reviews i wrote) this appears down on their scores you'll see that its mainly due to a lack of harder puzzles and perhaps the fact that I've become a little used to the type of puzzles now after playing the first 2 episodes and that may have effected my marks a little. Of course, if you're only just playing through this story too then its probably going to be the same for you. I think the puzzles and a shorter storyline were the only weak points in this one for me. I loved the Mole Mafia song and I enjoyed some of the new characters also. 79% surely means buy doesnt it?? Which you should, whilst i buy episode 4, which I will..... happy gaming.

[DustyShinigami]

Good review.

I just have to say, that at least you're coming up to the best episodes now. I reckon you'll enjoy episode 4 and 5 a lot more.