Much like a great deal of episodic television, Situation: Comedy references that which came before it but exists fairly independently from Episode One. Any concerns that we wouldn’t remember what happened in the previous month’s episode (in this case 2 months ago) have been rendered null and void. The details of Episode Two seem to fit fairly well alongside those in Episode One, however there is definitely no need to have played the first Episode to enjoy the second. There are minor references to the less recent of the pair but these are not integral to the enjoyment of the game or the players understanding of the narrative.
We don't see what their problem is with episodic gaming either Max.
Unlike in traditional one-piece games, the detail of the narrative appears to take a backseat to characters, of which there are some prime specimens. Making more appearances are faces that those who have played Episode One will be familiar with. There’s the Soda Poppers, Sybil, Bosco and of course the dual protagonists Sam and Max. Again these characters are portrayed in an incredibly quirky and offbeat manner - for example the Bosco from the convenience store is currently pretending to be British in order to fool a new gang in town called the ‘skin bodies’ that are stealing all his shaving cream (get it... they shave their bodies, unlike skinheads who shave their heads). The humour is arcing to the Dad's all across the world, but with its tongue in cheek approach your bound to chuckle at least a couple of times.
This time there appears to be a problem at the city's television studio. Myra, an overbearing talk show host, has her studio audience held hostage, torturing them with insane ramblings about the problems with out of control celebrity hedonism, whilst herself actively feeding off that same celebrity culture. It's up to Sam and Max to put an end to this mayhem, with their own 'special' brand of policing.
Both self aware and culturally reflexive, Situation: Comedy pokes fun at a number of pop culture phenomena in a playful manner. Contained within are the handful of television show send ups including, Who's Never Going to be a Millionaire, and Embarrassing Idol. Whilst their titles might not be clever, they do indeed offer quite a few decent laugh out loud inducing blows from jokes aimed squarely at the chests of that which populates the television screens of many worldwide. Again the humour in Sam and Max: Situation: Comedy is classic Sam and Max. The game presents some genuinely funny moments especially in some of the one-liners that emerge from the mouths of the two protagonists.
No one messes with the skin bodies.
The game’s puzzles could be a little more complex, although this episode’s seem to have caused us a little more difficulty than the last’s. The relative simplicity of many of the challenges you’ll face in the game leads one to wonder what the game might have been like if it were a longer single game rather than a series, thus allowing for some more complex time consuming mind work to be required from the player.
Whilst the point and click style of gaming is now a little clunky when viewed amongst today's growing list of genres, it still holds up relatively well in Sam and Max: Situation Comedy. If you are familiar with the genre and know what to expect, as many are, then randomly clicking over things shouldn't bother you too much. However if it's fully interactive, complex, living, breathing environments that you're after you won't find it here (we suggest seeing what's outside your door). The game's style of interaction allows for a laid back, easygoing experience that is quite enjoyable in a title of this calibre.
Graphics are, of course, extremely similar to Episode One’s. We did find a couple of areas where things weren’t laid out as easily as they could have been. For example in an area where Sam and Max present a cooking show it is difficult to move away from the bench post TV appearance as there is very little space that isn’t occupied by objects that once clicked on enact the scripted dialogue; which is funny the first time you hear it but not so funny when you just want to leave the room. Thankfully this minor design flaw only occurs in a couple of areas and the rest of the game is presented in its simplistic yet visually appealing and well put together style.
Quirky characters, including this creepy guy, litter the game.
Like the last episode the voice acting is great, and whilst die-hard fans of the LucasArts classic haven't got their wish to have the original voices back, each line is delivered in the deadpan style associated with the game. Music is also similar to Episode One with its great jazzy soundtrack. In the end all the elements that make up the game come together pretty nicely.
The Sam and Max series has a lot to battle against. The pressure placed on it by nostalgic fans of the LucasArts classic, the fact that it is traversing reasonably uncharted territory in its delivery of the game and following up a great first episode are all things that weigh against its success. Coupled with these, there’s also the fact that Telltale is working with a genre of gaming that many believed was dead and buried. Amazingly it manages to do all this with an impressive flair despite these obstacles. Sam and Max: Situation: Comedy proves that episodic gaming is a possibility and offers a truly enjoyable, yet a little short, experience.
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