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LucasArts’ original Sam & Max Point-and-Click
adventure is highly regarded by many, so it came as little surprise
that anticipation was high for Telltale Games’ resurrection as
 episodic
downloads for the PC. Six episodes compiled to form Season One,
and true-to-form each was very well received.
The announcement of a Wii conversion was, however, not
as well received. Some were baffled as to why such a highly
respected title amongst the Hardcore Gamers would be made available
to an audience that would have little regard for the franchise.
Others were more perceptive; with a fervent understanding of the
possible implementation of the Wii Remote.
The possibilities of adapting the Wii Remote to the
Point-and-Click interface have since become clear, and in Sam &
Max: Season One, there’s no finer example. The adaptation from
Mouse to Wii Remote is nigh-on perfect, and with barriers for entry
that no longer exists without installations or minimum
specifications, the simple and addictive gameplay has been delivered
in a welcoming package for the Casual Gamer audience. This is why
Sam & Max: Season One was always destined to arrive on Wii.
The full six episodes are included in the retail
package, each typically lasting a few hours each. As is tradition
with Point-and-Click titles, the game revolves
around the player commanding an on-screen avatar via a simple click
– or in this case, a press of the A Button. Interacting with objects
in the environment, the player must solve puzzles and overcome
obstacles with that which they find on their journey. All Menus,
items and game options can be accessed simply by pointing the Wii
Remote at the Gear Icon in the upper-left corner of the screen, and
pressing the A Button.
Sam & Max: Season One likes to avoid intimidating its players
with overwhelming game convention, as can be seen from the very
first puzzle. After only moments of scene-setting, the player is
cast as Sam and thrust into the midst of the action, hunting for the
cheese Max bought at the store earlier, and has lost somewhere in
the room you’re standing in.
The gameplay strides at a leisurely pace from here-on
out; encouraging the player to divide their gameplay time into the
set episodes. As with Alone in the Dark’s much-lauded Chapter
Select feature, or even harking back to the days of commonplace
Level & World structures, Sam & Max: Season One is delivered
with enough encouragement to see most players persevere through even
the most arduous challenges.
The voice-acting is fantastic and the humour
 is
both visually appealing for youngsters and socially aware enough to
entertain adults. As with the animated series, the characters have a
passion for stating the obvious minutes after any well-read gamer
will have figured-out the overly-clichéd plotlines, but this in
itself is an aid to those who may have missed an obvious clue or
two. The game stumbles slightly within the driving sections, in
which it’s technically inferior heritage is most notable, but most
will readily excuse this.
A technical tour-de-force of Wii’s capabilities it may
not be, but Sam & Max: Season One clearly understands the
market it’s entering. Having been labelled “videogaming’s first
Sitcom” by many, it’s hard to deny the well presented, entertaining
package such a grand title. Point-and-Click adventures may not be
for everyone, as the deterioration of the market clearly shows, but
for fans of the genre, Sam & Max’s original escapades or Wii
owners new to gaming, Sam & Max: Season One will undoubtedly
be remembered as a classic. |
