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

 PlayStation 3
Sam & Max: The Devil's Playhouse - Episode 1: The Penal Zone Image
Metascore
81

Generally favorable reviews - based on 21 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
7.2

Mixed or average reviews- based on 21 Ratings

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  • Summary: Sam is a six-foot dog in a baggy suit sporting a trombone-sized .44 hand-cannon. Max is three feet of pure unleashed id with a saw blade grin and the impulsive nature of the average piranha. Together they patrol the sticky streets of a fantastical New York City, righting wrongs, pummelingSam is a six-foot dog in a baggy suit sporting a trombone-sized .44 hand-cannon. Max is three feet of pure unleashed id with a saw blade grin and the impulsive nature of the average piranha. Together they patrol the sticky streets of a fantastical New York City, righting wrongs, pummeling perps, and ridding the urban landscape of the shifty legions of "self-propelled gutter trash" that litter their streets. Sam and Max got their start in comics in 1987, courtesy of cartoonist Steve Purcell. They have appeared in many formats over the years, including two seasons of an episodic graphic adventure game series; an award-winning animated series in 1998; an online web comic in 2006, for which Purcell was awarded an Eisner Award for Best Digital Comic; and The 20th Anniversary Edition of the Surfin' the Highway comic anthology which was nominated for a Eisner Award in 2009. … Expand

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Sam & Max: The Devil's Playhouse Episode 5: The City That Dares Not Sleep Recap Trailer

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 15 out of 21
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 21
  3. Negative: 0 out of 21
  1. 1UP
    100
    It's a bigger, better-looking adventure that moves the series forward in some surprising and substantial ways, and it remains one of the few legitimately funny games out there.
  2. PlayStation LifeStyle
    90
    Overall, Sam & Max: The Devil’s Playhouse brings an amusing story, with great writing, and mixes that together with some terrific gameplay.
  3. Eurogamer
    90
    With the trademark sharp witticisms layered onto challenging and inventive puzzles, this is the best possible start to the new season.
  4. Giant Bomb
    80
    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.
  5. ZTGD
    77
    For fans, there is no question to pick this one up, as it gives you three to four hours of fun and traditional Telltale gameplay.
  6. SpazioGames
    75
    Sam & Max: The Devil's Playhouse - Episode 1: The Penal Zone is a good start for the third series from Steve Purcell's pen. It really makes you want the next chapters right away.
  7. Gaming Age
    58
    I'll also go out on a limb and say this is probably the easiest of the Telltale titles I've played to date. For me, that's a good thing.

See all 21 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 2 out of 5
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 5
  3. Negative: 2 out of 5
  1. Tmbv93
    Sep 14, 2010
    10
    It's very rare that I come across a game that is truly funny. I mean truly funny as in the same amounts of laughs per minute one would expectIt's very rare that I come across a game that is truly funny. I mean truly funny as in the same amounts of laughs per minute one would expect from an episode of Family Guy or South Park. The tasks, the jokes and the tools make this one of the smartest and most enjoyable games I've ever tried. Minor technical problems aside, this was absolutely fantastic.… Expand
  2. TheWambologist
    Apr 22, 2014
    8
    I decided to get this game off of PSN because it was on sale for just a dollar. This was my first experience ever with the Sam and MaxI decided to get this game off of PSN because it was on sale for just a dollar. This was my first experience ever with the Sam and Max franchise, and my first adventure game experience for probably about 10 years or so, and I can say that I am happy with my purchase. The thing to know about this game is that it is a dialogue-driven experience. While I do wish that there was a bit more puzzle solving, the large amount of dialogue was surprisingly never boring. The characters in this world are all a bunch of weirdos, especially the protagonists, which makes this game consistently engaging and funny. If you are looking for a slow and relaxing game to laugh at and give your brain a bit of a workout, I would recommend Sam and Max.… Expand
  4. SenFire
    May 2, 2016
    5
    Plainly bad, from beginning to the end, even by TellTale standards. Nowhere near the first two seasons. The controls and camera are as bad asPlainly bad, from beginning to the end, even by TellTale standards. Nowhere near the first two seasons. The controls and camera are as bad as it gets. The story is bad but the voice acting is ok, not enough to make it a good game but at least it does not stink. The new gameplay elements are boring and the puzzles revolving around them make no sense.… Expand
  5. Alvokun
    Oct 5, 2017
    4
    I played this for free many years ago, but I remember disliking it quite much. I did not find the story interesting, and that is essential inI played this for free many years ago, but I remember disliking it quite much. I did not find the story interesting, and that is essential in a graphic adventure, where gameplay is not the main element. Besides, the gameplay was also confusing to me; I was unable to know what to do without using a guide. Maybe now it would different, I do not know.… Expand
  6. Reviewer
    Jul 4, 2011
    1
    There are very few things that are good in this game. The humor is sometimes good, and the answers to the countless number of puzzles you willThere are very few things that are good in this game. The humor is sometimes good, and the answers to the countless number of puzzles you will encounter are SOMETIMES interesting (other times stupid.) There are many things bad about this game. The story is horrible. There are many load time that are way to long. The graphics are terrible. The music is annoying. Most of the time the answers to the puzzles DON'T MAKE LOGICAL SENSE.… Expand

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Awards & Rankings

47
#47 Best PS3 Game of 2010