Sam & Max: The Devil's Playhouse First Look

This zany duo is back and ready for more wild and crazy adventures in season three.

Now that the Tales of Monkey Island series has been completed, TellTale has turned its attention back to the loveable private investigators Sam and Max. The first episode of season three, called "The Penal Zone," has a very distinct cheesy, '70s B-movie, Twilight Zone feel to it. While the series initially started on the PC, Sam & Max: The Devil's Playhouse will be heading to the PC, Mac, and PlayStation 3 at the same time in a few weeks. We checked out the PS3 version on the show floor at the 2010 Game Developers Conference and were happy to see that the humor is still intact and that you don't need to have any prior knowledge of Sam and Max to be able to jump in and play.

All we know from the prologue is that General Skun-ka'pe, who is some sort of space gorilla, has captured the anthropomorphic duo and has put them behind bars. TellTale wanted to veer away from the traditional pixel hunt and then combine everything you have in your inventory gameplay into something a bit more creative. Max has now inherited some special powers and can now teleport himself, and anything or anyone that is touching him, from telephone to telephone. By pressing the triangle button, you can enter Max mode, which is a first-person view into the bizarre world that is between rabbit's ears. A colorful dial at the bottom of the screen acts like an inventory of Max's strange powers. A random black and white photograph might flash periodically in this mode, which we were told is tied to future episodes. But the fact that they come out of nowhere and seem to have no relation to the situation at hand is what makes them great. It's not often you browse through old photos of a woman riding a cow.

You will still need to scour the environments to pick up items that are of use, but you can push a button to highlight everything that can be interacted with onscreen. We watched as Max picked up some red rhinoplasty--that looked like silly putty--which he could then apply to an object, like a plant, and then transform into that plant. While a plant may not seem like the most valuable thing to transform into, everything has a purpose, even when Max eventually shape-shifts into a bazooka.

It might not seem like there's much going on in Max's mind, but he can read the minds of others, which may or may not help you progress, but probing into a person's most private thoughts can reveal some hilarious inner dialogue. The five-layer hint system has been improved to encourage and "gently" guide you in the right direction. A frustration meter is built in so that the game will track how long you've been working on a puzzle and how many things you've clicked on.

Another addition is the notebook, which Sam carries on him to keep track of characters, plot points, and what Max's powers are. This makes it easier for you to return to the game after a break and get caught up with everything that has been happening.

Sam knows where his priorities lie.

Sam knows where his priorities lie.

Sam & Max retains its cartoony feel, but the visuals have been upgraded to give the environments a more realistic look, with emphasis on better lighting, textures, and shadows, similar to what Tales of Monkey Island had.

The first episode of Sam & Max: The Devil's Playhouse will be available April 15 on the PlayStation Network, PC, and Mac.

36 Comments

  • svijet

    Posted Apr 2, 2010 2:27 am GMT

    will this game just be on playstation network

  • Dudeman315

    Posted Apr 1, 2010 9:13 pm GMT

    @ True_Chaos_UK
    Nope, I'll be getting them on my Mac!

  • downloadthefile

    Posted Mar 29, 2010 4:28 pm GMT

    nice....very nice. and lol @ the heavy rain comment

  • luismsl

    Posted Mar 29, 2010 2:55 pm GMT

    Sam and Max is back.
    Going to buy it for sure. Can't wait

  • saiyans_prince

    Posted Mar 28, 2010 9:31 pm GMT

    looks good!

  • TheDogout

    Posted Mar 27, 2010 9:50 am GMT

    IMo

    this game is better than heavy rain

    I prefer comedy than drama.

  • vuxnut

    Posted Mar 24, 2010 9:48 am GMT

    This looks great, i'll be getting it for sure. love the point and click adventures.

  • mikeyvp87

    Posted Mar 22, 2010 7:19 am GMT

    I might pre-order it. For any who've played it is it good? I don't think I've played an adventure game before.

  • GtimElky

    Posted Mar 21, 2010 6:32 pm GMT

    I played the first two seasons on gametap quite a while ago and had thought the series was done. I dont remember a whole lot about them but I do know they where pretty fun so this has certainly peeked my interest.

  • HavQ-san

    Posted Mar 21, 2010 3:45 pm GMT

    It's weird that the first two came out on the 360, and the third one on the PS3.. Neither platform gets all three awesome games, then? Oh well -- I'm still very happy and grateful that Telltale's showing some love to the PS3 in the form of Monkey Island and Sam & Max!

  • True_Chaos_UK

    Posted Mar 20, 2010 7:14 am GMT

    Strange about 360 not getting it I have just got through season 1 was going to start season 2 soon. People saying the best thing about this is that it is not on 360 don't seem to be bothered about the game just exclusivity. I wouldn't mind if 1 and 2 were on PsN then it could be enjoyed by all and you could have all seasons. Anyway after all 6 episodes are released 360 version will be released for 1600 msp's but by them most people will ust get on PC, these types of games need much love as they are in a minority now. Roll on Monkey Island 2 which we can all enjoy,

  • schesak

    Posted Mar 19, 2010 8:30 pm GMT

    @SteveTabernacle
    Just because you do not know the reason doesn't mean there isn't one....I'm sure there is.
    NO business just does something arbitrarily....that's just common sense.

  • iloveyourface

    Posted Mar 19, 2010 5:53 pm GMT

    i am the biggest fan of sam and max. everything in my computer room is autographed by steve purcell... i have what you call a "problem." season 3 is PLATINUM. i can feel it.

  • BlackhawkBix

    Posted Mar 19, 2010 4:11 pm GMT

    YAY!!!! Sam and Max Season 3!!!!!!!!!

  • Naro003

    Posted Mar 19, 2010 12:20 pm GMT

    What I say, would be interesting to try it...

  • snake289

    Posted Mar 17, 2010 6:30 pm GMT

    Why don't people buy this on PC I mean Telltale games are not graphicly demanding xD

  • aseer-432

    Posted Mar 17, 2010 11:04 am GMT

    the best thing it will not be on x box 360...

  • flashn00b

    Posted Mar 16, 2010 10:03 pm GMT

    Although it's nice to see that they're going for a PS3 title, i do not get why they're suddenly cutting off Xbox Live Arcade development.

  • pogswarts

    Posted Mar 16, 2010 5:17 pm GMT

    Finally their back!

  • Sagacious_Tien

    Posted Mar 16, 2010 3:16 pm GMT

    Why no 360 version?