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

 PlayStation 3
User Score
7.2

Mixed or average reviews- based on 21 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 14 out of 21
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 21
  3. Negative: 3 out of 21

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  1. 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 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 moreI 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
  2. 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 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 answersThere 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
  3. 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 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.
  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 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.
  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 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.

Awards & Rankings

47
#47 Best PS3 Game of 2010

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
81

Generally favorable reviews - based on 21 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 15 out of 21
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 21
  3. Negative: 0 out of 21
  1. Eurogamer
    90
    With the trademark sharp witticisms layered onto challenging and inventive puzzles, this is the best possible start to the new season.
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  2. Eurogamer Italy
    70
    A good episode with a spoonful of originality, The Penal Zone is probably the best start of TellTaleGames' history. Taking Max's control directly is so amazing and explosive that any other feature looks less important: adventure games have founded a old/new (crazy) house. On the other hand the game is really short.
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  3. 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.
    Read full review
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