Game Details

• Title: Sam and Max Save The World
• Developer: Telltale Games
• Publisher: Xbox Live Arcade
• Released (UK): 17/06/2009
• Initial Price: 1600 MS Points
• Age Rating: 12
• Game Type: Point and Click Adventure (Monkey Island type game)
• Multi-player: None

Background

Sam and Max save the world, is the Xbox 360 version of Sam and Max series 1 and includes the first 6 episodic adventures, which are all accessed individually through the main menu. The game maintains the same style of humour that epitomised the original game from Lucasarts.

Game Modes

The game is single player only and like the recent Wallace and Gromit release, this is a point and click adventure. Unlike the Wallace and Gromit game, the interface has not been optimised for the Xbox 360 controller and you use the thumbstick to guide the arrow that is used to navigate the world.

Technical Stuff

I thought the graphics and sound were fairly good though not spectacular, and the game was consistent in style with the original Sam and Max game.

Difficulty/Achievements

Sam and Max is very easy with a walkthrough, but potentially infuriating without one as it is possible to get stuck on achievements. In terms of the achievement difficulty, the majority of them can be obtained by completing the game, a few however require you to be a bit adventurous when completing puzzles.

Positives

• Its Sam and Max
• Equivalent to a retail game in terms of content
• Enjoyable to play

Negatives

• Humour wont appeal to everyone
• Can be completed quickly with a walkthrough
• Been out for other formats for a long time
• Can become stuck for ages on puzzles

My Recommendation

Consider – 7/10

The main problem with Sam and Max save the World, is not the high price for an XBLA title or the ease in which it can be completed with a walkthrough, the problem is that there is a good chance that you will have already played the game. If you have not however and enjoyed the original Sam and Max game or point and click games in general then it is well worth a look.

The trial version of Sam and Max is a decent length and has a customised buy me screen which makes it worth downloading and completing the trial version even if you intend on buying the game. If after playing the trial you are still unsure if you have a PC then one of the complete episodes included in the game can be downloaded for free off steam.

In terms of the price of Sam and Max save the World, while expensive for an XBLA game it is comparable to the PC and Wii versions, though I suspect you can find it cheaper for the PC or Wii if you shop around.