Sam & Max Save the World is a pleasantly absurd adventure game that impressively updates some of TellTale’s most unique early titles. The solutions can be a bit abstract, but the surreal humor and unique visual style make Sam & Max an unforgettable experience.
Sam & Max Save the World
Developer: Skunkape Games
Price: $20
Platforms: Nintendo Switch (reviewed) and PC
MonsterVine was provided with a Switch code for review
It’s crazy to think that Sam & Max came out fourteen years ago, especially when you look at the fresh new remaster. Though over a decade may have passed since Sam and Max returned from their game grave, the weird humor and completely original aesthetic haven’t lost an inch of their charm. Anyone who likes adventure games would be remiss to pass on this wonderfully weird collection of classic Sam & Max mishaps.
The six episodes of Sam & Max Save the World are all quite different, though they end up tying together nicely as the series goes on. Essentially, Sam and Max are freelance police who solve mysteries and stop crimes wherever they’re needed. These mysteries may involve hypnotized child stars, a toy-based mafia, or an enormous statue of Abraham Lincoln. Each case is stranger than the last, but seeing as these cases are being solved by a dog and a rabbit, things never feel out of place. While some elements of the story are a bit dated now (American Idol parodies aren’t as hot as they used to be,) it hardly impacts how fun the story is. The concept of criminally-inclined weirdos is timeless, so most of the story beats are on-point.
Sam & Max Save the World is endlessly charming, largely due to the charismatic cast of characters. From the paranoid Bosco to the abrasive Jimmy Two-teeth, every character feels perfectly suited to the wild world of Sam & Max. The best characters are, understandably, Sam and Max themselves, as they have goofy chemistry with one another that reminds me of some real friendships I’ve had. They’re the weirdest possible pairing, but their combined wit and the way they play off one another makes them an excellent duo to play as.
“The voice-work is excellent as well, with every actor nailing the peculiar lines while making it sound easy.“
The gameplay of Sam & Max is fairly standard fare for an adventure game. You control Sam (and sometimes Max) as you wander between locations and examine things in the environment. You use items on other items to solve puzzles, which can sometimes be a bit obtuse. This was an issue with quite a few old adventure games, so it isn’t too surprising, but you’ll likely end up using everything on a few key locations until you solve a few of the puzzles. Most of them are pretty easy though, and quite creative overall, so the occasional nonsensical puzzle isn’t too rough. There are also sections where you drive Sam and Max’s car while shooting out taillights and giving tickets, which is a lot of fun for obvious reasons. Overall it’s straightforward and fun to play, as you feel accomplished when you solve a puzzle.
Visually, Sam & Max looks a lot better than it did upon its original release. The character models capture the essence of the original comics perfectly while being delightfully cartoony. The lighting and environments have been upgraded to look much better overall, giving them a more colorful and exaggerated look. The voice-work is excellent as well, with every actor nailing the peculiar lines while making it sound easy.
The Final Word
Sam & Max Save the World is a surreal and wild ride that adventure fans shouldn’t miss. Some of the puzzles can be a bit nonsensical, but the characters and humor make it something truly unique.
MonsterVine Rating: 4.5 out of 5 – Great
