FOX News: Sam and Max The Devil's Playhouse - The Penal Zone Review

[persona1138]

Hey all,
Ken here... Writer/producer of "FOX News Gamers Weekly" for the FOX News Channel. Not to plug the show, but I wanted to give you guys a heads-up that we've posted our full review of "Sam and Max: The Devil's Playhouse - Episode 1: The Penal Zone." We publish to the FOXNews.com website, iTunes, and Hulu.com, and the episode is titled "Halo: Reach Beta Preview".

Here's a direct link to the video:

http://video.foxnews.com/v/4183398/h...h-beta-preview

(Or subscribe to the show on iTunes by searching "Gamers Weekly" in the Podcasts section!)

Thanks, and enjoy!

[Avistew]

I personally think you're giving away too much (as far as puzzles and gags are concerned) but I guess someone who hasn't played it yet might forget the specifics of what they saw when they play it.

[persona1138]

Originally Posted by Avistew

I personally think you're giving away too much (as far as puzzles and gags are concerned) but I guess someone who hasn't played it yet might forget the specifics of what they saw when they play it.

It's hard to review adventure games like these... Showing anything gives too much away. But to be honest, if someone is paying very close attention, the only puzzles we really gave away are in the first few minutes.

Anyway, I sympathize. But we did our best.

[persona1138]

Originally Posted by persona1138

It's hard to review adventure games like these... Showing anything gives too much away. But to be honest, if someone is paying very close attention, the only puzzles we really gave away are in the first few minutes.

Anyway, I sympathize. But we did our best.

P.S. - Which is also why we (probably) won't do a full review of the other Sam and Max episodes. (Although we'll most likely highlight them in a "New Releases" section when they arrive.)

I just hope the episode gets enough people to download the game, because it's friggin' awesome.

[Avistew]

Yeah, I hear you, and you did great at picking some lines out of context and making them work. It's just that having played it, I kept knowing where things were from

Maybe for the next one you can have a quick "next episode is out" that just introduces the very beginning. Well I guess that's what you said you'd do, so this suggestion was useless...

Either way, it's always nice to let the word out

[persona1138]

Originally Posted by Avistew

Yeah, I hear you, and you did great at picking some lines out of context and making them work. It's just that having played it, I kept knowing where things were from

Maybe for the next one you can have a quick "next episode is out" that just introduces the very beginning. Well I guess that's what you said you'd do, so this suggestion was useless...

Either way, it's always nice to let the word out

Thanks, dude! I appreciate it!

[Avel]

Really good quote clipping (seriously, it's an admirable skill to be able to recall dialogue that well) though you did spoil one of the harder puzzles (judging by the hint section) in the gorilla teleportation part. I also find it amusing that the hands that reveal the verdict are clutching the one controller you can't use this season. Your "Rocket Launchers!" could use some work, but otherwise nice bite-size review.

[persona1138]

Originally Posted by Avel

Really good quote clipping (seriously, it's an admirable skill to be able to recall dialogue that well) though you did spoil one of the harder puzzles (judging by the hint section) in the gorilla teleportation part. I also find it amusing that the hands that reveal the verdict are clutching the one controller you can't use this season. Your "Rocket Launchers!" could use some work, but otherwise nice bite-size review.

Ah, yeah, that was one puzzle we kinda spoiled. But seriously, other than some minor things in the first few minutes of the game, that was it. (Like I said, that's the problem with reviewing adventure games... To illustrate the kinds of puzzles you'll encounter, that means spoiling at least one of them. Grr.)

Also, that wasn't my voice...I write, edit, direct, and produce it... But we have a guy with a much better voice than mine do the voice-over.

Anyway, I always appreciate feedback! The show is FOX News' most-watched video podcast, and it's a real passion of mine, so I really appreciate viewers, fans, and critiques. Thanks, guys, for checking it out!

[Avistew]

I think you could have made him teleport to the wrong place so that it didn't spoil anything while still showing the possibilities.
Hindsight is 20/20, of course

[S@bre]

Normally a part of me gets filled with a slight sense of dread whenever I hear "Fox News", but that was a decent, if short, review. Though as you say, there's not a lot you can do without giving away too much with these sorts of games. Wasn't a bad piece on Halo Reach as well, just a shame that one's never coming to PC.

[persona1138]

Originally Posted by Avistew

I think you could have made him teleport to the wrong place so that it didn't spoil anything while still showing the possibilities.
Hindsight is 20/20, of course

Haha, true. But when I capture footage of these games, it's always on my first play through. (Honestly, I didn't know if it was going to work or not when I first tried it... I was just going off the Future Vision hint.) I just dont't have time to go back, replay, and recapture anpther version, unfortunately... So I've gotta work with what I've got. But yeah, you're totally right.

Still, it was better than spoiling the other transportation puzzle (which I found much harder, personally)

Also, really glad you guys liked the sound bytes. My favorite was Max's cliche line, since... Let's face it, when I wrote my previous line to that in the script, I was like, "Wow, it's true, but really packed with platitudes.". So I was able to poke a little fun at myself with Max's dialogue.

Anyway, all cool suggestions. Thanks

[der_ketzer]

I just saw the review and I liked it.
The spoilers were not to much except maybe for the teleportationpuzzle with the ape. But if I hadn't known the game already I might have forgotten it until I got a chance to play.

[Remolay]

oh nice
Normally anything fo news related annoys me, but this (probably because it wasnt even remotely like Fox News' normal lineup) was really good

[Jake]

Thanks for the review!

[Ezny]

I just think it's great that TellTale doesn't mind you shamelessly promoting your show on thier website.

You guys at TT never cease to amaze me.

[Jake]

We don't mind people coming by and linking to well put together, positive reviews of our games, no.

[fedefrasis]

I'm surprised they didn't feature Laurence Cooper saying Sam and Max is damaging for the children becouse of some ridiculous thing She known for coming up with...
Nonetheless it was a good review.

[persona1138]

Originally Posted by Jake

We don't mind people coming by and linking to well put together, positive reviews of our games, no.

Haha, thanks man! Congrats again, and I'm looking forward to the next episode!

[Ripcord]

Gah - Fox...News... How can you live with yourself? Even overseas we know of your lies and lying.

Yet you somehow reviewed this game correctly. I guess there are always the exceptions that prove the right-wing spin. Still. You work for Fox News.

[Fishstick_Kitty]

Hey, Ken!

Welcome aboard