BTTF Ep. 5 OUTATIME Discussion & BTTF Game Review

[trekker26]

if there is one critique i have on the game, is that they made the time traveling so convoluted.
For instance, in the first BTTF movie, it was one simple point of time travel, with the story being very good and simplistic. Marty has to fix it so his parents get together, and then get back to the future. In BTTF 3, marty has to go back to the old west, rescue doc and get back to the future.
In this game, it just hits you over the head again and again with all the constant time travel, with timelines constantly changing. They made it so complicated just to do time travel. I dont know if i'm explaining myself very well.

I dont know, the more i look back and truly think about the game, the more negatives I start thinking about. I'm believing that the wave of nostalgia, and having Marty and Doc, especially with Lloyd back as doc, has skewed my views on the game when i first started playing it months ago.

[Rather Dashing]

This game's story skeleton actually had a lot of potential to be a story like that. Rather than being a story about a boy getting to know his parents, it could be a story about Marty really getting to know Emmett, his best friend. The time travel could have been slightly more complicated, seeing how Marty could have hurt or ruined Doc's life and showing a very different side of Doc. It feels like that's the thrust of what this season's story was going for, and it never quite nailed it. It seems like there was something of a disagreement in the writing room over what kind of story this game was going to be, or it simply tried to invoke too many types of stories at once without putting a real and distinctive separation between the stories(that is, it was a single narrative trying to grab the narrative feel of three distinct narrative types all at once).

[trekker26]

i still say its better than the BTTF NES game. However, when it comes to BTTF 2 & 3 on the NES, i feel that game is more fun than the TTG game. Oh, i know i'm gonna get serious hate for that.
I feel BTTF 2&3 is a very underrated game. I've played it many times. And always enjoyed it, however on the computer. See, this game only needed 2 things that it didnt have when it first came out: a save file and a map system, like metroid.
Now on the computer with an emulator, I can save it all the time. And i also have a map i found online, that shows you how all the streets are laid out.
I love LOVE the mini-games in BTTF 2&3, they were challenging, and you had to figure them out to do them right. And i loved being able to walk down the different streets and see the different sites of Hill Valley in the 3 time lines.
It was a fun sidescroller/puzzle game, much better in its genre it was attempting, than this TTG game was in the genre it was trying to do.

[railfan990]

Originally Posted by trekker26

i still say its better than the BTTF NES game. However, when it comes to BTTF 2 & 3 on the NES, i feel that game is more fun than the TTG game. Oh, i know i'm gonna get serious hate for that.
I feel BTTF 2&3 is a very underrated game. I've played it many times. And always enjoyed it, however on the computer. See, this game only needed 2 things that it didnt have when it first came out: a save file and a map system, like metroid.
Now on the computer with an emulator, I can save it all the time. And i also have a map i found online, that shows you how all the streets are laid out.
I love LOVE the mini-games in BTTF 2&3, they were challenging, and you had to figure them out to do them right. And i loved being able to walk down the different streets and see the different sites of Hill Valley in the 3 time lines.
It was a fun sidescroller/puzzle game, much better in its genre it was attempting, than this TTG game was in the genre it was trying to do.

I agree that BTTF 2&3 were somewhat underated. I made a comment on the AVGN's review of it that I shall repost here:

Originally Posted by Megatronacepticon

The sad thing is, that travelling through time collecting objects and placing them in their correct time periods actually sounds like a fun game. Trust LJN to screw it up...

BTTF: Parts II & III Would have been vastly superior if the following changes were made:

1. Smaller maps with fewer items, maybe 3 per time period, followed by a boss fight with Biff to get the Almanac, then maybe 6 items in Part III.

2. Less frustrating gameplay

3. BTTF-related enemies, with no annoying birds chirping

Having multiple difficulty levels, each featuring a different number of randomized items from a pool of 30 would have been better still.

[lmjmclean]

My PC keeps on crashing after when Michael J Fox first comes into the game, can anyone help me to fix this problem?

[Doctor Who 88]

The new/last behind the scenes video of the makers and cast of the bttf game talk about the last episode of the game; with Michael J.Fox getting involved, things leading up to the end of the game and such, but one thing that caught my attention; is what AJ LoCascio (voice of Matry Mcfly) said close to the end of the video (2:34 of 3:10 to be exact,) and-I-quote, "You know where it leaves us, I uh, it just makes my want to see what the next adventure is."
Could he be hinting that there might be more BTTF from Telltale games sometime in the futrure?
=O

[railfan990]

Originally Posted by lmjmclean

My PC keeps on crashing after when Michael J Fox first comes into the game, can anyone help me to fix this problem?

Press Escape, go into the settings, click graphics, click Advanced and set the graphics quality to 5. Reset to one after Hill Valley fades out. Then set the graphics back to 1 or whatever you were using before.

[Antaios]

I loved it. As an experience, mind, not purely as a game. Yes, it's too easy for a lot of people, including myself, but as a Back to the Future game/sequel it hit a lot of notes absolutely right and I had multiple goosebump moments near the end, including hearing Michael J. Fox again. Loved it and hope there will be a second season, although I do think we shouldn't get our hopes up and take that "to be continued" with the same pinch of salt as with the first movie at its time.

[Rather Dashing]

Originally Posted by Antaios

I loved it. As an experience, mind, not purely as a game. Yes, it's too easy for a lot of people, including myself, but as a Back to the Future game/sequel it hit a lot of notes absolutely right and I had multiple goosebump moments near the end, including hearing Michael J. Fox again. Loved it and hope there will be a second season, although I do think we shouldn't get our hopes up and take that "to be continued" with the same pinch of salt as with the first movie at its time.

The first movie didn't add "To Be Continued" until the home video release, after they knew there would be a sequel, so it wasn't taken with a grain of salt then.

[Falanca]

I apologize, but to me, it's "The Phantom Menace" all over again, except for the fact that I actually love Back to the Future.

People love it because it has Back to the Future characters in it. Have fun with it, but I'd be more happy if the game honored the characters and voice actors with a more intriguing story.

[MonkeyMint]

I've just finished the 5th chapter of BTTF and I loved it.
Telltale can't seem to do a bad adventure game, I loved all 5 episodes and they do feel just like a Back to the Future film. I love the guy who does Marty's voice, he's brilliant.
Anyway i'd like to give you all a link to a review I made, I hope you enjoy it.
http://thegameropinion.blogspot.com/...to-future.html

[Rather Dashing]

Wait, I'm confused, what are all the characters liable for?

[Martin McFly]

The Science Expo was wonderfully constructed and I had a lot of fun looking at all the exhibits. The general art direction was very pleasing to the eye and the voice actors all did a superb job. There were a few moments which truly reminded me of the movies and had a very cinematic feel to them (Yes, I know that the game is essentially an interactive movie.)

The episode generally felt more 'alive' than the previous episodes and, with the exception of a few bugs, ran pretty smoothly.

While I did enjoy this episode, I did have a few quips.

-The ending
Yes, I know this is supposed to be a homage to the original movie but it just felt like overkill (which is saying a lot considering this is based off a trilogy about time travel). I loved hearing Michael J. Fox's voice again but all the future selves really put me off.

-1876
Far too short for my liking. I was looking forward to exploring the Old West and looking at all the scenery. Imagine my surprise when I realised that it was limited to only one short scene. Hell, you couldn't even leave the building's vicinity. I probably should have been expecting this, considering the linear style of the game but it really was a downer.

Verdict: It was a blast seeing all the characters again but the game could have been so much more polished.

[FaMzNeSS]

I just finished the game and I must admit, I am overall very pleased. There were graphic and audio hiccups throughout the series, but I can very easily look over that stuff.

Some of the game, as I was playing it, felt like it strayed way too far away from the original trilogy. I felt that there was a lot of unnecessary predicaments that Marty was thrown into, the story was strung out, and I definitely liked some episodes more than others. What kept me grounded though was the fact that it was a game. It can't be exactly like the Movie, and things need to be done to keep it going AS a game, not as a movie. It's like watching a comic book movie on the big screen. It can't be exactly like the comic, so the story is altered a bit to make things fit.

I was really looking forward to the final episode though, and I couldn't wait to get to the end. I just had to see what TTG had in store, and I have to honestly say here, it didn't disappoint one bit. But we had a flying Delorean, Hoverboard? Yeah... everything I needed and wanted in a BTTF game was in it and I am a happy camper! And of course, Michael J. Fox being back? Hello! I mean, A.J. is Marty McFly 100%, hands down. But with MJF back to lend his voice, that was amazing!

I geeked out bigtime at the ending. In fact, I am going to replay the ending again here in a bit just so I can geek out again! I think it pays homage to the ending of the original movie, and puts so much of a twist on this ending that I have no clue what is going to happen next.

I actually would've preferred to have a bit more time travel in the game. Maybe some more run-ins with their alternate selves, and more time period hopping similar to the Back to the Future Ride.

Question is: Did you watch all the way end until after the credits?

It said "To Be Continued." So that's a sure sign that TTG has the intentions of making a second season! WOOT!

[Gman5852]

Originally Posted by FaMzNeSS

It said "To Be Continued." So that's a sure sign that TTG has the intentions of making a second season! WOOT!

To be fair, telltale always leaves an open ending in case for a second sequal. Wouldnt be shocked if the same happened for JP and the Walking Dead.

[FaMzNeSS]

Originally Posted by Gman5852

To be fair, telltale always leaves an open ending in case for a second sequal. Wouldnt be shocked if the same happened for JP and the Walking Dead.

Well I'm hoping in holds true for a second season.

[miketh2005]

[QUOTE=Ghost Rider LSOV;518390]Ok, I'll copy/paste what I sent to MovieLord. Well, fixed some little mistakes I had made.

Serious spoilers.

Edit: Ah, didn't notice rachetdream's to be continued after the credits, since I turned off the game.
He also explains it better.

Anyway, I still leave them here if you want them.

Originally Posted by Ghost Rider LSOV

Well, I'm not a great fan of spoiling nice stuff, but if you insist...

1. Who turns out to be the REAL speakeasy arsonist?
Like many others had already guessed, there's only one person who wouldn't like hooligan stuff in her town.
And you learn it quite fast in the episode too.

2. Are Trixie and Sylvia (the person Arthur McFly's SUPPOSED to marry) the same person?
Well, that's one left for almost the last, but yeah, "You didn't think my real name was Trixie Trotter, did you?" (or something like that)

3. What will become of Edna by the end of the game?
Certainly gets a happy life it seems, but you would never expect with whom. :P

With Kid.

4. Which 2 characters does Michael J. Fox voice in this episode?
William McFly and... quite a few Marty McFlys at the end. :P

and 5. The big one: HOW WILL IT END?

They go back to the sale, but it's a garage sale that Doc is having now (altered timeline) and he says that Clara and him had always a part time residence in Hill Valley "wasn't that how it was when you left?" (Marty to himself) "...no...".

And we learn why did Doc went back to 1931.

He wanted to research all McFlys and give their history as a thank you to Marty for saving him in the movies and so went through time and the one he had troubles with was Sylvia (since she went by the name of Trixie).

Of course, the way the game ends, I guess he'll have to make more trips in the ...future?

Edna comes with Einstein and Doc thinks she was doing some harm to him, but she explains that she did what she would do, take Einstein for a walk.
Doc and Marty are getting really weird vibes and Doc says they better go slowly back into the lab, before they see any more changes. Then Kid comes up and calls to her since it appears they really got together while spending time in prison. They then call Biff and leave as a happy family. (weird for Tannens eh?)

And then, a Delorean pops up, a future Marty comes out (Michael J. Fox) with the usual "Doc, you have to come back with me" "Where?" "Back to the Future!" "But if your past self sees you *Marty is seeing him clear as day at that point * there will be irrepairable damage" (or the usual stuff he says) and then future Marty says that it's ok for our Marty to also come with him. Then another Marty from the future comes with a blue Delorean (MJF again :P) and claims the other Marty is lying, then a 3rd Delorean appears (a black one I think) and a more biker-like Marty (MJf of course) comes out and the 3 Marties start arguing between themselves.

Of course Doc goes all "the timestream is being destroyed" and game Marty asks "but who is the real me?", where Doc just looks at him and smiles, so they go in the Delorean to fix everything and Marty asks the date to go, to which Doc replies "Mr. McFly, thrill me." and like in the end of BTTF (the movie), they go airborne over the road and fly towards the camera. Then the credits come up with the Back in Time song.

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OMFG, I KNEW that ending seemed familiar, and after reading your synopsis of the ending, it made me think back to where I read that before! It was a storyline in the popular comic strips "Calvin and Hobbes". Calvin, and his pet stuffed tiger, Hobbes, were always going on time travel trips in a cardboard box back to the dinosaur age, transformers to transform himself into other animals, (or things) and what this back to the future ending reminds me of: a duplicator which duplicates himself. You should be able to find it on the internet somewhere. Oh, this one, too:

http://calvinandhobbes.wikia.com/wik...d_8:30_Calvins

That was to do with the time machine. Bill Waterson had more story writing talent than most script writers today. Plain Genius.

[MichaelJ Fox isAntarctian]

Originally Posted by Rather Dashing

Obviously, an issue with "story" is harder to justify, simply because so many people seem to define what makes up the story differently. Still, you could easily say that a lot of lazy writing was involved, or writing to "fan expectations" even when the end result doesn't make sense or have a real purpose. You can pretty easily show that Deus Ex Machina, a device near-universally derided for its lazy and sloppy nature as far back as Aristotle. Graph it out, Problem/Solution, and see that the main character is simply not involved in many resolutions. You can see that a lot of the references, especially in episode 3, are simply references without a change to turn the reference into a parody or commentary, which is what most people would call "ripping off". Sometimes the "game" aspect of it, and the forced exposition of game goals, can lead to unrealistic storytelling. For example, the scene with Edna describing the three things that have to go wrong for her to stop liking Emmett felt extremely artificial. "These are your three game goals. You are to complete all of them or I will not change state. Do you understand?!", when there simply aren't relationships that work that way. This was a problem with a lot of the episodes, actually, where the pace was hijacked by a "intro, three things to do in the middle, outro" structure that has honestly become a lazy default for this developer. You can also realize that Marty is VERY often robbed of responsibility. In the first episode, he ruins Emmett's life. In the second, Emmett doesn't give a fuck, and something ELSE ruins his life in much the same way, but this time it sticks because Marty wasn't the one that did it. Marty never has enough time to breathe when an emotional consequence happens to him, because by the time you've blinked twice the problem is very much resolved in an indirect and often ill-explained way.

Telltale has always been good with basic moment-to-moment characterization, and often people let that carry them through an experience. Thinking about the story in terms of structure and the reasoning behind various decisions though, and you'll notice that a lot of story is very cynically constructed, pretty weak, and frays a lot at the edges, to the point that it gets pretty noticeable.

I didn't even have to read the first word to know what you post was about

[Cubbie]

Originally Posted by miketh2005

OMFG, I KNEW that ending seemed familiar, and after reading your synopsis of the ending, it made me think back to where I read that before! It was a storyline in the popular comic strips "Calvin and Hobbes".

http://www.scribd.com/doc/6691670/Ca...l-Strip-Series

I'm not really seeing the relevance here but it's a cool story and maybe someone else is curious.

[miketh2005]

Originally Posted by Cubbie

http://www.scribd.com/doc/6691670/Ca...l-Strip-Series

I'm not really seeing the relevance here but it's a cool story and maybe someone else is curious.

I'm just saying it reminds me of BTTFTGP1's ending, with them fighting, different versions of 1 person, etc. You know?