First review of episode 4 is up!

[Sawtooth]

Eurogamer gives it a 7/10.

http://www.eurogamer.net/article.php?article_id=73291

Seems like the usual criticisms again ( Recycled locations, characters ,same routine etc etc) accounts for the average score. :(

[Linque]

That seems to be a good review, and has my opinion (when talking about the episodes in general, I haven't played no. 4 yet) nailed pretty well.

[pixelat3d]

also

http://www.4colorrebellion.com/archives/2007/02/22/4cr-review-sam-max-abe-lincoln-must-die/

[Diduz]

That sounds strange to me, because I've enjoyed Episode 4 immensly. When playing episode 2 and episode 3 I've been thinking all the things the reviewer points out, but now I think Episode 4 is a strong departure from the first half of the season. It's funny, challenging, smart and intelligent in its satirical tones. I've beaten it in 9 hours, but only because I got stuck like a sparkling wonderful moron in two occasions. I think the episode should last not less than 5-6 hours to a smart adventure gamer, the gameplay IS deeper and more rewarding.
For the record, it took me three hours to finish episode 1-episode 2 and two hours to complete Episode 3. My personal opinion is that the series is taking off in the best way possible. :)

[JK1985]

Another review http://www.yetanotherreviewsite.co.uk/sam-max-episode-3-abe-reviews~85~PC.htm

[Hero1]

Still too easy? :confused: sigh.. :(

[AdamG]

I haven't played it yet (I'm painting my main computer's monitor), but it's obvious that for Season 2 they will definately want to introduce more diversity overall. :/

[numble]

Well, the hints forum has been flooded with hint requests in the 6 hours or so that the episode has been available, so some people are having problems with the puzzles...

I did find it more difficult and longer, but I also felt that the LPM (laughs per minute) was slightly diminished in some parts of the game because of those factors (not many new jokes to encounter when you're wandering around stuck on a puzzle--or because you have to wander from place to place), but those pacing issues are some of the very things people like about Hit the Road, so your mileage may vary...

Oh, and Mel, et al are in the credits!

[racingfreak92]

http://xblradio.com/blogcast/?p=315#more-315

[AdamG]

http://xblradio.com/blogcast/?p=315#more-315

"the neighbor hood your office is located is a strange one with neighboring stores include a irresolute store owner , a paranoid drug store owner and a Michael Jackson-ish scam artist"

:confused: :confused: :confused:

[Hero1]

so numble you would say its more difficult than episode 1? I'll take that at this stage..

[racingfreak92]

"the neighbor hood your office is located is a strange one with neighboring stores include a irresolute store owner , a paranoid drug store owner and a Michael Jackson-ish scam artist"

The drug store owner is bosco and the scam artist is for you to find out.

[numble]

so numble you would say its more difficult than episode 1? I'll take that at this stage..

Yes, I think it was harder, but I feel it all depends on the player. Diduz took 9 hours for example--and I think I took less than half of that.

[ShaggE]

Oh, and Mel, et al are in the credits!

Don't I get credit for...umm... temporarily reviving the Russian Reversal? No? Damn. :P

[Mel]

Still too easy? :confused: sigh.. :(

so numble you would say its more difficult than episode 1? I'll take that at this stage..

You'll give yourself an ulcer pouring over every review and dwelling on the difficulty until it's worldwide release.



And I'm sounding very momish - sorry...

[ShaggE]

And would it kill you to get a haircut once in awhile?

[doom saber]

The drug store owner is bosco and the scam artist is for you to find out.

LOL Michael Jackson. LOL

[Hero1]

You'll give yourself an ulcer pouring over every review and dwelling on the difficulty until it's worldwide release.

And I'm sounding very momish - sorry...

I'm slowly coming to the realisation that the episodic format has its limitations, and that in turn affects the level of difficulty. I'm quite happy to accept that and enjoy the episodes for what they are.. but Brendan did say in his blog:

In fact, many of you have already correctly guessed that we aim to gradually increase the difficulty over time

So I was surprised to read in the 4color rebellion review:


As for the difficulty, I thought that this episode was on pretty much the same level as the first three episodes.

[numble]

Well you should probably wait until you play it--as you've said in the past:

I think the puzzles design and solutions are all very good, but because there is so few items and locations it is very simple to work out.

I think Episode 4 addresses this--and pretty well with the limits they have in terms of location--there definitely is that Hit the Road feeling of going from location to location to find a puzzle's "key", that then triggers another round of location-wandering to figure out the next step in the solution of the same or new puzzle. In effect, there are those same good designs/solutions, but a greater need to wander and a higher chance of getting stuck.

I felt the episode was great--easily some of the best writing and humor so far--with more laugh out loud moments than the ones before (my experience as an American and someone with an interest in American politics might influence that belief), but I felt it started sputtering (especially in the latter parts of the game) with the requirements to wander from place to place--I felt it started getting tedious when you started hearing "Where are we going this time, Sam?" for the zillionth time as you wander from place to place, instead of getting new material/comedy to laugh at. And I realized that, hey--this really is a microcosm of what Hit the Road was like, when, for example, I went from place to place looking for a way to get money to spend at Snuckey's (It was in the rathole!).

So I reached the end in I think a lengthy 4.5 hours, and really thought to myself, "Wow, there actually are people masochistic enough as to want to be stuck even longer and wander from place to place even more."

But I can't blame them for giving them what people have asked for, and would still be happy if things were to stay like this. I simply feel that having people get stuck and making them wander around ruins the pacing of the comedy in Sam and Max (especially when many of said locations are already extremely familiar and you're basically looking for the new "pin" in the "haystack" of old items--a feeling of searching rather than exploring). I like the jokes to come at a fast clip (probably the reason why comedies on TV are usually only 22 minutes long), so I'd rather have 2000 lines of mostly new and original dialog compressed inside 2-3 hours than 2100 lines spread over 4-5 hours (with a lot of repeated dialog occurring as you get stuck or wander back and forth--for example, if you don't get stuck at all in Episode 4, you still have to listen to "Where are we going this time, Sam?" a minimum of 12 times as you travel to and fro--get stuck on something here or there and you could easily be going 15-25 times).

That said, I realize some people also feel they can't enjoy the humor if it goes by too fast and enjoy getting stuck and/or wandering around ("too much like an interactive cartoon!" or "don't patronize me with such simple puzzles!").

I really liked the comedy in the episode, and thought it was the best of the bunch, but I personally just felt that some parts could have been paced better in a shorter timeframe--just my opinion.

--
Admittedly, I played through it all in one sitting, so I might have thought differently if I split up my playtime...

[Raynes]

I have to say this one is the best one yet. The humor and the writing was amazing.

About the criticisms. I think things need to be put into perspective here.

Complain 1: There isn't enough variety in the locations.
When these people sit down and watch a sitcom like Seinfield, do they complain that it doesn't take place in enough locations? It's the same idea here.

Complaint 2: They are too easy or too short.
Again do people complain when they watch a 1/2 hour sitcom, that it's too short. No, it's meant to be short. That is what Sam and Max are, a game sitcom. Meant to be a few hours of fun.

[Diduz]

Yes, I think it was harder, but I feel it all depends on the player. Diduz took 9 hours for example--and I think I took less than half of that.

Yeah, if I exclude the two puzzles that got me stuck, I think the game would have been a solid 5 (maybe even 6) hours experience.

[Hero1]

Interesting review numble, I'm looking forward to playing episode 4. To Raynes this isn't tv, and some people prefer to be playing a video game..than scrolling through a "game sitcom"

[AdamG]

I just finished episode 4, and I thought it was fantastic! It was considerably longer then usual, the puzzles were more difficult while not being absurd or unbelievable (just how they should be), and overall it was simply beefier then the past ones.
As a matter of fact, I would rate it higher then the 92% I gave the first episode, but since some things are still used over again I have to give it a freshness penality. Don't get me wrong, it's still fresher then the last episode, in some ways.
So...... I give episode 4 a 90% rating. :) I would penalize it more, but for less then $9 you can't really complain much. I just hope episodes #5 and #6 are as good as #4. :D

[ShaggE]

:D I can't wait to play this one, sounds like alot of the small problems have been addressed and improved.

[Hero1]

Action Trip Review - Score: 79

Highs The humor is getting better and better, cool story and characters;
Lows Returning to the same locations, as before a single episode ends just as it gets going, puzzles tend to be easier than we initially expected.

http://www.actiontrip.com/reviews/sammaxepisode4abelincolnmustdie.phtml?1949

[Hero1]

Abe Lincoln Must Die is easily the best entry yet. It's full of zany characters, fun puzzles, and one of the most original game plots you will ever see. Regardless of whether you're a veteran or new to the series, Sam & Max Episode 4 is a must play for anybody who likes to have a good time playing games.

- Gaming Nexus

http://www.gamingnexus.com/Default.aspx?Section=Article&I=1399

Telltale took fans' reactions and made a longer, funnier and overall more exciting fourth episode.

http://gamernode.com/PC/Reviews/2196-Sam--Max-Abe-Lincoln-Must-Die-Review/index.html

[numble]

Hero1, you don't feel that reading so many reviews before you play the game might spoil things a bit for ya?

[numble]

http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.joystiq.com/media/2007/02/paper_comedy_log.jpg

This Joystiq review (http://www.joystiq.com/2007/02/23/joystiq-review-sam-and-max-abe-lincoln-must-die/) seems interesting (I haven't read it all the way through yet). Basically the Joystiq reviewer has been keeping a running tally of "laugh out loud" moments for each episode he plays, and Episode 4 has the most laughs yet.

The writing in Abe Lincoln Must Die! is by far the sharpest in the series, which automatically makes it the best episode released thus far. My silly scrap of paper is testament to that and it helped me realize that every time I wrote down a hilarious phrase, I was actually writing down one more reason to play the game.

[Zeek]

Do my eyes spy on that paper a Nader joke?

[numble]

Do my eyes spy on that paper a Nader joke?

Good eye. Obviously that paper is spoilery, but you have to stare into your monitor to see what it says.

[Zeek]

Yeah, the the point where I'll need my 6-month eye check up bumped up to next friday.

[Hero1]

Hero1, you don't feel that reading so many reviews before you play the game might spoil things a bit for ya?

I skip over anything about the game or what happens in it.. :)

[LuigiHann]

To Raynes this isn't tv, and some people prefer to be playing a video game..than scrolling through a "game sitcom"

But this is a game sitcom. It is what it is, and people looking for it to be something else are looking in the wrong place.
That said, it's not flawless, and while it was disheartening to see episodes 2 and three get easier and shorter, Episode 4 puts the series back on the right track. I hope they keep going in this direction for the rest of the season, and I hope there's a season 2, because that's where most good sitcoms start to be really good.

As for the comment about locations, I don't think there necessarily have to be more of them, but it'd be nice to see more done with them. The recurring offices should be changing a bit more with each episode. And it would have been nice to explore a few more rooms inside the White House.

[numble]

The only gripe I could have with this game is the difficulty. Episode 4 felt a lot more grueling than the other ones appeared, with some puzzles requiring some real out-of-the box thinking. It's a dividing issue, and finding a balance that pleases people on both sides can be very difficult. Also, while it is nice to see that the game was longer than past episodes, there is way too much backtracking. If anything, it would have benefited the pacing if players didn't have to travel back and forth so much.

http://www.got-next.com/reviews_read.php?id=557

Eye of the beholder...

[Hero1]

With the usual focus on short, easy game play structured like a television episode, Sam & Max once again delivers hilarious entertainment in their fourth installment, Abe Lincoln Must Die! While the previous episode felt considerably shorter than most, this new one gets things back on track with more one-liners and some great political humor -- especially as Max becomes president of the United States. Surprises, like the not-to-be-missed musical score and killing Abe Lincoln truly make playing this episode a pleasure. The video game industry needs more games like this.

http://www.gamedaily.com/sam-andamp-max-episode-4-abe-lincoln-must-die/pc/game-reviews/5796

[numble]

I will reiterate: Hero1, you are spoiling yourself.

That and what ShaggE and Mel said =P

[AdamG]

-klackon-

Warning! Spoilers above!

[doom saber]

For those who played the Gametap version, how does Abe Lincoln looks like?

[AdamG]

Abe Lincoln... looks like a 25 foot tall cement version of Abe Lincoln

[tabacco]

Abe Lincoln... looks like a 25 foot tall cement version of Abe Lincoln

I believe he's actually marble

[AdamG]

Actually, I think they did say he was now that I think about it. :P

[numble]

Doing this in part so Hero1 doesn't have to spoil himself searching up reviews

Better yet, the puzzles in Episode 4 are more challenging. In this latest episode, the developers have struck the perfect balance between difficulty and outrageous logic. You won't be combining old gum and bread crust to make a shrimp canape. Everything follows reasonable logic, but the solutions to puzzles aren't brutally telegraphed as they were in the previous two episodes.

http://www.frictionlessinsight.com/archives/2007/02/sam_max_episode_8.html
4.5/5

[Zeek]

What does that mean? "Brutally telegraphed?"

[Jake]

The reviewer means that they thought the puzzles in episode 4 weren't obviously stated from the get-go -- like, when a character says something to set up a puzzle, the reviewer felt that they weren't able to reverse engineer a possible puzzle solution just from the setup.

[Zeek]

Funny, that's always the case for me when it comes time for the final puzzle, especially in Episode 1 when you talk to Max and Brady Culture. Looking back on it now, it makes sense what to do, but I didn't have the slightest idea when I first heard the hints.

Same deal in Ep. 2 and 3.

[LuigiHann]

Right, the final puzzles were like that, but every puzzle leading up to it were fairly blunt and almost condescending.
I really liked how Episode 4 didn't have the "do 3 explicitly stated things" motif that episodes 2 and 3 had.

[jp-30]

Yeah, but the 'three tasks' is a classic Adventure Gaming (LucasArts, in particular) setup, from Monkey Island right up through Full Throttle and more. I see it as an affectionate nod to those games.

I especially liked the self referential "To join the mafia you need to do two tasks... make that 3 tasks" line in Meatball. Made me laugh out loud, as I was thinking "Only two tasks, but that goes against all convention"...

[Zeek]

I especially liked the self referential "To join the mafia you need to do two tasks... make that 3 tasks" line in Meatball. Made me laugh out loud, as I was thinking "Only two tasks, but that goes against all convention"...

I thought that was a referance to Monty Python's Spanish Inquasition.

[tabacco]

Right, fetch the comfy chair!

[numble]

The puzzles involved in the game aren’t overly difficult, but nor did I figure all of them out immediately so I felt like it was a good balance. When it’s Sam and Max you’re working with you have to think well out of the box and that’s where your solution will spring from, but there are patterns that can be seen through the games that give guidance as to which side of the box to go to.

http://www.strategyinformer.com/pc/sammaxepisode4abelincolnmustdie/review.html

[numble]

The previous three episodes were indeed easy to complete and on the short side time wise. This never really bothered me because the settings were fun, the scripts sharp, and the puzzles weren’t damningly hard. I never expected a long quest or deep gameplay from Sam and Max, just a lighthearted adventure with some humor above the grade-school level of most games. This is what I got, and it was quite good. But as expected, our friends in the community, led by their fearless leader (http://www.gamespot.com/), constantly demanded more bang for their mere ten bucks (may we offer some sound advice (http://videolamer.com/index.php/1719) for the future?). And so Telltale have created an episode filled with stopgaps and contradictory choices in order give them what they want.

The first three episodes followed a fairly strict pattern; a few opening puzzles, then three major puzzles of a similar theme, culminating in a final boss puzzle. Ep. 4 deviates from the formula - defeating the boss requires solving a multitude of subsequent puzzles that almost total the rest of the game in length. This in and of itself isn’t a problem, since the extra brain teasers aren’t all recycled. What makes it hard to swallow is the excessive amounts of backtracking that it entails. Previous episodes had you go back to your home street twice, maybe thrice on a good play. That number is about doubled in Episode 4, and if you ever get stuck or confused the number gets higher. By the end of the game, you’ll find yourself walking from the bowel’s of the White House to your car, then across the street to Bosco’s, then back to the car, and back to the inside of the White House. It might add only a few minutes to actual game time, but it adds heaps to my impatience. Of course this wouldn’t have been a problem if critics didn’t also complain about not spending enough time in new locations.

There’s also the simple problem that this is the fourth episode wherein our heroes have to trick Sybil or buy something from Bosco in order to solve a puzzle. I enjoy these characters, but they highlight an interesting problem with episodic design; we should expect the same characters and settings, but we may also have to expect the same gags.

Puzzle difficulty is a tricky subject. They are much harder overall than in the past, but it’s tough for me to say whether they’re challenging in a good way. The essential thing to notice is that this episode is less about finding an item and figuring out where it is used, but instead about knowing what you need and then having to go out and find it. I find the latter approach is more frustrating at this point, because Telltale has recycled so much content that there are certain things in each area I just don’t bother with. This wasn’t a problem in the past (which is why I didn’t slam them for it), but in this episode some of those areas are hiding the things you need. Now I won’t play another episode without checking every nook and cranny in case there’s something I’m missing. I thought that Sam and Max was saving us from such silliness, but that’s no longer the case now that the Consumer Reports gamers have gotten their way.

On the other hand, some of the puzzles that gave me the most trouble weren’t entirely unfair. Like a similar one in Ep. 2, they involved going to an older area that had a logical purpose for the given situation. While tricky, they weren’t impossible, though one in particular involved paying very close attention to what it was showing you, for the solution involved a visual clue that you wouldn’t expect to be of importance. From the adventure gamer’s standpoint the progression found in Ep. 4 can be nothing but a good thing. Yet I’m afraid of the series delving into Myst levels of trickery. I’m a big fan of logic, but I don’t want puzzles that hang on the importance of clues that are too subtle for their own good. Let’s leave the difficulty range at this level and no harder.

http://videolamer.com/index.php/1736

[Diduz]

Okay, enough with the complaints about the episodes being too easy, it's time to start complaining about the episodes being too hard! This is the only way to achieve the community hidden purpose: make Dave and Brendan go totally insane. :D
I found Episode 4 harder but in a good way. Myst levels of trickery? Come on... :confused:

[numble]

Okay, enough with the complaints about the episodes being too easy, it's time to start complaining about the episodes being too hard! This is the only way to achieve the community hidden purpose: make Dave and Brendan go totally insane. :D

I know, it's kind of funny--damned if you do, damned if you don't.

[Hero1]

Yet I’m afraid of the series delving into Myst levels of trickery.

That's never been the approach in the classic lucasarts titles and certainly isn't from telltale games. More puzzle difficulty hysteria :p :p

[Jake]

I enjoy the number of reviews like pointing out that the games are either too hard, too easy, or too the same.

[numble]

Episode 4 also improves the basic gameplay elements that had begun to decay in Episode 3. The game is longer, for one thing. That's partly due to some unnecessary shuttling between the White House and Sam and Max's office near the end of the game, but mostly it's because the puzzles are better, more challenging and fit more organically into the world. There aren't any massive brain teasers, but compared to the barely-there speed bumps of Episode 3, Abe Lincoln Must Die! offers a solid suite of conundrums.

http://pc.gamespy.com/pc/sam-max-episode-4/768776p2.html

[numble]

I enjoy the number of reviews like pointing out that the games are either too hard, too easy, or too the same.

Not to mention too unfunny, too funny, too short, or too long.

[fco.]

http://pc.gamespy.com/pc/sam-max-episode-4/768776p1.html

editor's choice, eh?.... awsome...

[Mel]

Not to mention too unfunny, too funny, too short, or too long.

http://southdakotapolitics.blogs.com/south_dakota_politics/images/0440504708_4.jpg

[AdamG]

I thought the difficulty was just about right. Maybe a wee bit harder if possible would be nice.

[wefeelgroove]

Seems kinda pointless to complain about "recycled" locations/characters/etc, since after all, you're still playing essentially the same game, just a different piece of it. And one of the major staples of episodic anything is reusing content and restating things to remind your audience what happened previously while advancing the story.

[Laserschwert]

In terms of difficulty I was quite pleased with Ep4, I even got stuck once or twice, so you're probably heading the right way. As for pacing, I must admit that artificially lengthening the episodes by putting in several "drive there, do that one thing, drive back, do that on thing, go back again to do that"-situations is my major point of criticism. This is not what's been meant by "the episodes are too short" at all, and of course you know that.

Yet, it was very pleasing to see some new and more "epic" locations, but still, there wasn't a real "road trip" feeling to it (yeah, I know, this is no "Hit the Road"), and it still felt a little confined (I mean, c'mon, driving to Washington, just to go back to the office for a single phone call, and going right back to D.C. as if it was just around the corner?).

But I don't want to sound too critical, since - as I said - you're definitely heading the right way, and the humour is getting even better (and meaner... I like that) with every episode.

So, President Max... dug yourselves a hole here? ;)

[Jake]

So, President Max... dug yourselves a hole here? ;)

Err, nope (http://www.maxforpresident.org). :)

[Comprox]

I found this episode much funnier than the previous ones and a bit more tricky which was fantastic. It almost hit the sweet spot!

My only big complaint was trying to find the war poster. Posters have been there for 3 episodes so I just ignored the whole alley. The other complaints of running around was a bit tedious but not a big issue for me. Overall, very fun episode. The writing was top notch!

[fathamburger]

The difficulty was fine for me. Took me a litle over 4 hours vs 2-3 as usual since I actually got stuck with signs. Specifically the poster exactly like someone above me said. The other thing was the beacon, I knew it was there but expected to be able to remove the sign to get to it, so I got stuck courtesy of pixel hunting which hasnt had to be done before in the series. GAH!

[doom saber]

I just finished the game and is suprised that you guys added more stuff after the focus group. I was quite suprised to see that one sequence after finishing a particular puzzle. Pretty cool and things make a bit more sense in the finish game.

Btw, in the credits, did you guys added the people who played during that focus group?

[octochan]

Better yet, the puzzles in Episode 4 are more challenging. In this latest episode, the developers have struck the perfect balance between difficulty and outrageous logic. You won't be combining old gum and bread crust to make a shrimp canape. Everything follows reasonable logic, but the solutions to puzzles aren't brutally telegraphed as they were in the previous two episodes.

OMG, I've played that game with the gum and the toast. It was quite hideously difficult. You had to come up with things like substituting sludgy water when you were supposed to have coffee, jamming a water fountain to increase the water pressure in an ornamental fountain four screens away to get an item, freezing a worm so you could pick a lock. . . ugh.

Ep 4 had a much better balance of easy and hard stuff. Although I needed some help on the puzzles that involved using the phone, because I was used to the fact that the other three games didn't.

And almost everything that had to do with Max in ths game was pure glee. :D

[JK1985]

A review from IGN is up at http://pc.ign.com/objects/852/852356.html

Score 8! That's a big improvment from episode 3 (6.6 I think) :)

[Hero1]

yahoo games review:

http://videogames.yahoo.com/gamereview?cid=1994640782&tab=reviews&page=0&eid=507510

[Zeek]

Is it sinking into a rut? Sure -- but then, it's not a problem when Lost features the same characters week in, week out, is it? It's practically in the nature of episodic content to sink into ruts. This is only a problem when taken to excess, and if Sam and Max was really churning out the same old jokes over and over again, we'd mark it down more harshly.Ouch, thanks Yahoo! They found the one thing that may kill the concept of Episodic Gaming.

[jp-30]

You know that series Cheers! from a few years back? It was OK, but man, every week same old characters, same old bar. Hell, even a variation on the "Nooorm" joke week in / week out.

I'm sure the show would have been way more popular if they'd used a different supporting cast each week, and maybe had less episodes based inside the bar...

:p

[Zeek]

Why do you think I said "may?"

[jp-30]

I was more responding to yahoo than you personally.

[LuigiHann]

Scooby-doo used the exact same jokes every episode, and they only added one or two locations each time, and that show was pretty popular for a while.
So I think we've got nothing to worry about.

But 30 years from now, people will make fun of it :p

[jp-30]

Nothing to worry about until Telltale add Rex, Max's obnoxious and cute child nephew as a recurring character...

[Laserschwert]

"And my plan would've worked, if it wasn't for you nosey, soda-popping kids... and your dog... and rabbit."