Bone: The Great Cow Race

 PC
Metascore
76

Generally favorable reviews - based on 24 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 17 out of 24
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 24
  3. Negative: 0 out of 24
  1. Just Adventure
    91
    Most of this game flowed flawlessly, but there was one sticking point I have to mention: the load time between scenes was agonizingly slow.
  2. AceGamez
    90
    Perfect for adventure fans of all ages, Bone: The Great Cow Race is a great change of pace from the usual murder mystery or historically themed adventure games that currently populate the market. The game is consistently funny throughout, easy to play and will absolutely make you a Bone fan before you're done.
    All this publication's reviews
  3. IGN
    86
    It's a very well designed, well drawn point-and-click adventure that harkens back to the days of old.
  5. BonusStage
    85
    The game is consistently funny throughout, easy to play and will absolutely make you a Bone fan before you’re done with it.
  6. eToychest
    85
    A faithful take on the original comic by Jeff Smith, and showcases the art, wit and humor wonderfully. It also provides a reasonable degree of difficulty to the adventure gaming uninitiated, and graphics that are more than easy enough to look at without pushing your system to the limits.
  7. CPUGamer
    85
    The episode should clock in somewhere around four hours depending on how often you use the hint system. I think people of all ages could really enjoy The Great Cow Race, especially the fans of the comics.
  8. PC Gamer
    85
    Fans of Bone or point-and-click adventures shouldn't hesitate to grab it. [Ju;y 2006, p.99]
    All this publication's reviews
  9. Adventure Gamers
    80
    An excellent step forward from Telltale, and a game that everyone should be playing.
  10. GamesRadar+
    80
    Gameplay aside, Bone: The Great Cow Race boasts pretty, well-animated visuals, excellent voice-acting and a great musical score, especially for an indie title. It's still a little short and none too replayable, but it's a fun little quest while it lasts.
  11. Quandary
    80
    A bundle of fun. There is a short loading period each time you change major locations but it didn't bother me, although, as good as it is, it would be better if you could skip through dialogue if you've heard it before.
  12. Four Fat Chicks
    80
    These won't quite fulfill your old-school needs, but they are about as close as you can get in these times when cookie-cutter games reign supreme in the adventure world.
  13. PC Format
    78
    You'll enjoy solving the puzzles and the story is bizarre enough to keep you clicking along happily. [June 2006, p.97]
    All this publication's reviews
  14. Pelit (Finland)
    77
    Bone: Out from Boneville & The Great Cow Race are good fun even for beginners. The Great Cow Race is much better than the shaky first episode, being more non-linear, having tighter gameplay and expanding on the comic's story instead of just retelling it. [Jan 2007]
    All this publication's reviews
  15. PC Gameworld
    75
    A fun little game that slowly unfolds an adventurous epic. Bring on the third installment!
  16. GameZone
    75
    It would have received a higher rating if the gameplay had been longer, but it is still worth the purchase price. A nice choice for families and all ages.
  17. Gaming Age
    75
    For the low retail price, you can’t really go wrong with this title. It’s not going to blow you out of the water, and its not quite innovative, but it is incredibly charming and fun to play through.
  18. The A.V. Club
    75
    Even if you aren't an old-school adventure fan, Bone is charming enough to make up for its ease and short length.
  19. Eurogamer
    70
    As with "Out From Boneville," The Great Cow Race is an entertaining enough diversion, but one that doesn't provide much in the way of lasting thrills.
  20. NTSC-uk
    70
    As with the first episode, The Great Cow race is still an immensely difficult title to rate. Though the same engine-based problems remain, the much more intriguing dialogue, and better flow of story and puzzles help culminate in making this second episode an even brighter prospect than the first.
  21. Gamers Europe
    70
    Short, cute, enjoyable games created with simplicity in mind and offset by a few bugs and an ultimately empty feeling. As it is you will find much to like here, just don’t expect it to last.
  22. PC Zone UK
    67
    A cheaper, slightly longer and certainly more rewarding slice of saccharine silliness than before. Still not perfect, but very, very cute. [July 2006, p.74]
    All this publication's reviews
  23. Gamer 2.0
    64
    Anyone desperately eager to play the episodic follow-up to Out From Boneville should certainly dive into this one. But, by all means, expect better.
  24. PC Gamer UK
    55
    Slightly less interesting than the first game, and still has a few rough edges and poorly conceived challenges. [Aug 2006, p.91]
    All this publication's reviews
  25. 1UP
    50
    It's fine for gamers who don't mind waiting months between episodes, but if you want to get the real charm of the story and art, it's best to just read the comic book.

Awards & Rankings

68
#68 Best PC Game of 2006

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
6.9

Mixed or average reviews- based on 14 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 14
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 14
  3. Negative: 3 out of 14
  1. mno
    Sep 25, 2018
    8
    The game has a soul, fab music, funny characters, soso puzzles and one of the best outros of a game. It's better than the first part and it'sThe game has a soul, fab music, funny characters, soso puzzles and one of the best outros of a game. It's better than the first part and it's such a shame that TTG did not make a full season.… Full Review »
  2. GodotIsW8ing4U
    May 1, 2013
    5
    Mercifully not as weak as its predecessor Out From Boneville, but that isn't saying much. The Great Cow Race suffers from the same voiceMercifully not as weak as its predecessor Out From Boneville, but that isn't saying much. The Great Cow Race suffers from the same voice acting problems as the first game, and if anything, worsens them by having even more characters and dialogue to ham-fistedly fumble. The character models still look wrong, the graphics are still out of date for their time, and the puzzles are still tedious; the only thing that helps The Great Cow Race is the strength of the material it's drawing on, because it's just so much harder to improperly execute an inherently silly concept like a cow race compared to a journey through a fresh new land.

    This is subject to the same "infant developer grace period" phenomenon I mentioned in my review of the first Bone game, but considering what Telltale's put out since then, I'd be surprised if the Bone games aren't at the same "secret shame" level as Howard the Duck is for George Lucas. Jeff Smith's graphic novel deserves better.    … Full Review »
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