Wallace & Gromit's Grand Adventures, Episode 1: Fright of the Bumblebees

 PC
Metascore
76

Generally favorable reviews - based on 35 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 22 out of 35
  2. Mixed: 13 out of 35
  3. Negative: 0 out of 35
  1. PC Gamer UK
    74
    A bit too familiar, but fun while it lasts. [May 2009, p.72]
    All this publication's reviews
  2. Multiplayer.it
    72
    We really enjoyed this first Wallace & Gromit's episode and we're sure that Telltale will be better with the next ones enhancing the controls, the savegame system and the audio mixing. It's a good start for a new episodic adventure game.
  3. GameStar
    71
    On average, Fright of the Bumble Bees is as good as Telltale's Sam & Max adventures: a lot of humor, great dialogue and a charming style. But experienced adventure players may find the puzzles to easy and the game too short. It's still good value and we're looking forward to the other three parts.
  5. DarkZero
    70
    Confounding puzzles aside, “Fright of the Bumblebees” functions nicely as an adventure game for just about any audience or age group. The humor is varied, the gameplay is accessible, and the challenge is substantial without being frustrating.
  6. VideoGamer
    70
    It's a brief, slow paced, quintessentially British experience that won't be everyone's cup of tea, but it's compelling nonetheless, and Telltale has absolutely nailed the atmosphere and feeling of the TV shows on which it's based.
  7. Gamervision
    70
    It's kid friendly, but has enough witty gameplay to make any fan of the genre giddy.
  8. Gameplanet
    70
    Fright of the Bumblebees is a somewhat cautious start for the Wallace & Gromit's Grand Adventures series. It's great to see the pair back for more madcap mayhem, but it'd certainly be welcome to see a bit more action with subsequent episodes.
  9. Total PC Gaming
    70
    Telltale has created a decent adventure full of slapstick and melodrama.
  10. LEVEL (Czech Republic)
    70
    The stories of Wallace and Gromit are the right cup of tea for Telltale Games and their episodic games. The new game series started out successfully, let’s just hope it will keep its standards. [Apr 2009]
    All this publication's reviews
  11. 3DJuegos
    63
    Fright of the Bumblebees is an adventure game for everybody. There's room to improve, but has enough witty gameplay to adventurers.
  12. Destructoid
    63
    I can't help but feel that Gromit's disbelieving stare projects past Wallace and into the offices at Telltale, while the poor clay dog shakes his head in dismay.
  13. Eurogamer
    60
    Overall, while it certainly captures a lot of its source material on spec, Wallace & Gromit's other strengths - Peter Sallis, Gromit shrugging or staring despondently into the camera, needless contraptions and simple directorial flourishes - are sorely missed in Fright of the Bumblebees.
  14. Metro GameCentral
    50
    This new episodic graphic adventure is mild cheddar compared to the original TV shorts and movie.

Awards & Rankings

74
#74 Best PC Game of 2009

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
7.7

Generally favorable reviews- based on 19 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 11 out of 19
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 19
  3. Negative: 1 out of 19
  1. Powerstrike368
    Jul 9, 2023
    10
    What can I say about this game except this game changed my life.
    I met my wife through this game, i proposed to my wife thanks to this game,    What can I say about this game except this game changed my life.
    I met my wife through this game, i proposed to my wife thanks to this game, i would not be the man i am today if it weren't for this game, it changed my outlook on life. I truly resonated with Major Crum's views of the world and he was a sincere and accurate take and comment on the horrors that ptsd and warfare can bring on the human spirit, i can only commend telltale for their overwhelming dedication to making what is truly, the greatest game ever made.
    P.S, unfortunately had to divorce my wife, she called the dog Wallace, **** idiot    … Full Review »
  2. Garybaldo
    Jul 3, 2020
    8
    The first one of this beautiful saga, very entertaining game that doesn't come up as too easy nor too difficult, it's very nice. AnimationsThe first one of this beautiful saga, very entertaining game that doesn't come up as too easy nor too difficult, it's very nice. Animations are well done and voice acting is beautiful, great game.… Full Review »
  3. Whiskey-Leg
    Jun 3, 2013
    5
    5 for being playable and having the original voice actor for Wallace. The audio was recorded VERY poorly, I get better audio off an old VHS of5 for being playable and having the original voice actor for Wallace. The audio was recorded VERY poorly, I get better audio off an old VHS of the show. The character models are spot on, but the animation is far too robotic, which leads me to believe that not much time had been spent there at all. If Aardman could do the old shorts with claymation and have very lively, animated movements, why are the character animations so terrible here? There's also the issue that dialogue gets cut off at times for no reason. Frustrating.

    Bottom line? Watch the old show, it's on Netflix.    … Full Review »
See all user reviews »