Sam & Max: The Devil's Playhouse - Episode 1: The Penal Zone

While I would have been happy with nothing more than a new batch of cases to solve, The Penal Zone offers a crazy new narrative, improved graphics, a gripping storyline, an improved control scheme and brand new psychic abilities.

The first chapter of Sam & Max: The Devil's Playhouse shows us that storytelling in games doesn't have to be a luxury, and perhaps shouldn't be. In The Penal Zone, good writing isn't just an added bonus: it infuses every aspect of play.

Given Telltale's record for producing excellent games, returning fans shouldn't even think twice about picking up this first chapter for Chapter 3.

With the trademark sharp witticisms layered onto challenging and inventive puzzles, this is the best possible start to the new season.

The Penal Zone is a really good adventure game, and has the chances of being the best Season of Sam & Max that has come along, but it still has some minor bugs to work out with the interface.

But with a great new graphical presentation and the immensely upgraded gameplay interface that really improves the gameplay, the first episode of the third Sam & Max season is an entirely unexpected gaming treat.

It's funny, clever and thoroughly enjoyable to play. [July 2010, p.86]

Overall, The Penal Zone's story does have the feel of an opening chapter, delivering more setup than self-contained story.

Not that the other games in the series were slouches when it came to their style, but the new season blows them all out of the water, with enhanced graphics and gameplay improvements that move the series in a wonderful direction.

The 3D graphics are still cartoonily swell, if still a bit on the overly pastelish, blocky side. The duo's sarcastic dialog is as caustic and hilarious as ever. The villains and other NPCs are still deliciously loony. The one headline new wrinkle is that this season Max has been granted "Psi" powers. Of course, you have to trundle around "earning" them via gameplay, but they should add a welcome new dimension to the episodes.

Sam & Max are back and as whacky as we love em! However the episode lacks difficulty and will be hard to understand for anyone whose mother tongue isn't English.

An incredibly refreshing reinvention of the S&M games, much funnier, and far, far more interesting to play. [June 2010, p.96]

They're not perfect, but these beloved characters are definitely in capable hands. [June 2010, p.100]

It's been a whole two years without a new adventure for the Freelance Police, but the wait has been worth it, at least for one episode

It clearly establishes a repeating theme of Max gaining and then exploiting ridiculous new psychic powers with each episode, something that, if the quality of the execution stays where it is, should make for a fun season.

Quotation forthcoming.

Private investigators are back in full force. A two-year break served this series very well – you will enjoy every improvement they made to the graphics and interface. [Issue#191]

This is the freshest that Sam & Max have been in a while. [July 2010, p.60]

Sam & Max behind bars! That’s how the third season starts and it’s a great start, too. Lots of comedy, running gags, the return of beloved characters and new ideas - but still a bit too easy.

A very decent start for the new season of Sam and Max.

Two years later, TellTale strikes back with the first chapter of the third season of the adventures of Steve Purcell's charming characters: Sam & Max. New graphisc engine and several changes in the control system are its main features. And, for the first time, we get to control Max and his superpowers.

Sam & Max are back and the first episode of the third season does not change the formula: humor, puzzles and a crazy detective dog with his fellow assistant. New Max's powers and an intricate storytelling are good enough to keep you playing for this good 4-5 hours adventure.