Sam & Max: The Devil's Playhouse

99%
Game Brain Score Based on 166 reviews
  • story
  • humor
  • music
Sam & Max: The Devil's Playhouse Game Cover
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"Sam & Max: The Devil's Playhouse" is a single-player action game that follows the hilarious and wholesome story of the Freelance Police duo, Sam and the newly psychic Max. As they navigate an ancient power and the Toys of Power, players will encounter eccentric characters, solve brain-tickling puzzles, and even explore Max's own mind in this bizarre paranormal adventure. With Max's abilities growing out of control and frightening adversaries closing in, it's up to the Freelance Police to save the day in this humorous and engaging game.

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Reviews

99%
Audience ScoreBased on 166 reviews
story8 positive mentions
stability3 negative mentions
  • The remaster enhances the visuals and audio, making it a beautiful and polished experience compared to the original.
  • The game features a strong narrative with emotional depth, humor, and engaging gameplay mechanics, particularly with Max's psychic powers.
  • Fans of the series will appreciate the love and care put into the remaster, making it a must-play for both new players and long-time fans.
  • Some players experienced minor bugs and glitches, particularly with audio and visual elements.
  • A few puzzles were considered nonsensical or frustrating, especially in certain episodes.
  • The game may feel less episodic and more focused on a continuous plot, which some fans of the earlier seasons might not prefer.
  • story19 mentions

    The story of the trilogy, particularly in the third game, is praised for its incredible screenplay, direction, and emotional depth, marking it as a standout finale that evolves the narrative and gameplay from previous seasons. Players appreciate the cohesive structure of the chapters, which contribute to a rich overarching narrative filled with humor, engaging characters, and a blend of genres, making it a must-play for fans of story-driven games. The combination of comedic elements and mature themes enhances the experience, solidifying it as a favorite among the series.

    • “The whole trilogy has incredible screenplay, direction, story, and soundtrack, and this third game is a great finale.”
    • “Goofy spins on American pulp fiction and cosmic horror, excellent pacing, and an unexpected amount of pathos give Sam & Max their best story yet — meanwhile, a streamlined interaction system gets a fresh spin with Max’s psychic powers that gives you the best of both worlds: new types of puzzles to solve, and plenty of chances to hear solid jokes that are silly, bizarre, yet earnest.”
    • “The episodes offer a ton of variety both in genre and gameplay mechanics while still serving an engaging and (as always) crazy overarching story.”
    • “The humor is still as sharp as ever, focusing on some of the most entertaining characters to date, and through its story this season grabs and keeps your attention in a way the previous two sometimes struggled to.”
    • “Also, being a teen and a fan of the first two seasons, I liked some of the more mature themes of this story, but not all of it.”
  • humor19 mentions

    The humor in the latest season of Sam and Max is consistently praised for its wit, charm, and emotional depth, blending laugh-out-loud moments with heartfelt storytelling. Reviewers highlight the lovable characters and clever jokes, noting that the humor remains sharp and engaging while also enhancing the narrative. Overall, the series continues to deliver a delightful mix of comedy and emotional resonance, making it a must-play for fans of the genre.

    • “The jokes are still funny, the characters are still lovable, and the puzzles are actually slightly less obtuse than I remember (though knowing most of the solutions by heart probably helps).”
    • “Many moments are full of chuckles, even bursting out laughing.”
    • “The humor is still as sharp as ever, focusing on some of the most entertaining characters to date, and through its story this season grabs and keeps your attention in a way the previous two sometimes struggled to.”
  • music13 mentions

    The music in the remastered trilogy is widely praised for its high quality and variety, with standout tracks that enhance the game's atmosphere. While there are few new pieces, the remaster features audio upgrades and improved sound quality, making the already impressive soundtrack even more enjoyable. Some users noted minor audio issues, but overall, the soundtrack remains a highlight of the experience, with anticipation for an official soundtrack release.

    • “The whole trilogy has incredible screenplay, direction, story, and soundtrack, and this third game is a great finale.”
    • “But like, how do you top an OST that has gorgeous moments (Twilight Eternal Reprise), peak noir (3-4 Boscotech & the Pier), and the jazz-fusion suite that defines the setting you enter in 3-5?”
    • “Another neat thing is that some songs in this game, most notably some of the unique cinematic ones, got an audio upgrade with some newer sound instruments!”
    • “I haven't noticed many new music pieces in this remaster either, although the original was already highly varied with its soundtrack to begin with, and with this remaster, I'm certain an official soundtrack release will finally happen.”
    • “There's a few audio issues, like the other entries in the trilogy have (missing music, sound effects, etc), but the voice work and soundtrack is, as always, fantastic.”
    • “The audio is much better, and the music has been remastered with apparently new tracks I have yet to hear.”
  • gameplay13 mentions

    The gameplay in this season has been praised for its improved puzzle design and enhanced hint system, making it more accessible than previous iterations. Players appreciate the variety in gameplay mechanics and genres across episodes, alongside engaging storytelling and character interactions. The introduction of new features and Max's unique powers adds depth and humor, contributing to an overall enjoyable experience.

    • “As for the gameplay, compared to the previous seasons, the puzzles are less obtuse, and the hint system is much better.”
    • “Love the new HUD and mechanics, as well as the increased pace in storytelling to coincide with the even further raised stakes.”
    • “Max's powers this season are a delight of a gameplay feature, providing a toolkit of magical puzzle-solving abilities while also offering a surplus of bonus dialogue and gags through experimentation.”
    • “1 - The Devil's Playhouse is barely as consistent in episode quality as the first one gameplay-wise, but the highs are so much higher than any of the other two seasons.”
    • “Max's powers this season are a delight of a gameplay feature, providing a toolkit of magical puzzle-solving abilities at your disposal, while also offering a surplus of bonus dialogue and gags through experimentation.”
    • “The episodes offer a ton of variety both in genre and gameplay mechanics while still serving an engaging and, as always, crazy overarching story.”
  • graphics13 mentions

    The graphics have received a significant overhaul, aligning with the art style of previous remasters while maintaining a balance between the original's grunge and the new aesthetic. Users praise the stunning visuals, improved lighting, and enhanced animations, noting that this version is the best looking in the trilogy. Overall, the graphical enhancements contribute to a more immersive experience, despite some minor disappointments regarding the loss of certain original elements.

    • “The graphics have gotten a makeover to be more in line with the art style established in the previous remasters, and while some of the grunge of the original is lost, in many areas, it can still be felt while still conforming to the new art style; in other words, a nice balance has been struck here between old and new.”
    • “As with the previous games, the lighting and graphical updates are incredible, but excellent work has been done to touch up some aspects where the original was lacking.”
    • “Between the beautifully remastered graphics and the incredible, fluent storytelling, this has to be my favorite chapter of the three.”
    • “In regards to disappointment, it's exclusively graphical enhancement.”
    • “Whilst not much outside of graphics and overall stability have been changed, it is still a version of the game worthy for a first playthrough.”
    • “---{ graphics }---”
  • emotional9 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by its ability to evoke genuine tears and heartfelt moments, often surprising players with its depth amidst humor. Reviewers note that the narrative effectively balances wit and emotional weight, particularly in key episodes that build to impactful climaxes. Overall, the game is praised for its blend of humor and heartfelt storytelling, leaving a lasting emotional impression.

    • “The first time I finished this game, I cried for an hour and then had to go outside and look at birds until I felt better.”
    • “This season has a larger focus on the emotional core of these characters, without ever forgetting to stay funny all the way through.”
    • “All I can say is... 'you crack me up, little buddy.' The story is just as fun, foreboding, and emotional as it was over a decade ago, and it just gets better with the Skunkape touch.”
  • stability3 mentions

    Overall, the remaster experiences occasional glitches, particularly with audio and some visual issues, but these are infrequent and not game-breaking. Players have noted that performance can suffer on older machines, with frequent FPS drops, especially in the initial stages of gameplay. Despite these stability concerns, the game is generally well-received once past the initial bugs.

    • “The only downsides to this remaster are the (although infrequent) glitches, mainly of the audio kind, but nothing game-breaking. On my older machine, the game had frequent FPS drops.”
    • “Some of the cutscenes felt overly long, and there were a few visual glitches, but overall - great game, and sad we won't get any more Sam & Max games for the time being.”
    • “The game started a bit buggy, but all is well past the first 20 minutes.”
  • grinding2 mentions

    Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be excessively tedious, often requiring significant time investment and repetitive backtracking, which can detract from the overall enjoyment.

    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “All that tedious backtracking back-and-forth using the Desoto in previous seasons?”
  • atmosphere1 mentions

    The atmosphere in the game is highly praised for its intensity and immersive quality, with players noting that it effectively enhances the overall experience and keeps them engaged.

    • “The atmosphere is incredibly immersive, drawing you into the world with every detail.”
    • “The intensity of the atmosphere keeps you on the edge of your seat, making every moment feel significant.”
    • “The progressive build-up of the atmosphere creates a jaw-dropping experience that leaves you wanting more.”
    • “The atmosphere is lacking depth and fails to immerse the player in the game world.”
    • “While the visuals are decent, the overall atmosphere feels flat and uninspired.”
    • “The game tries to create tension, but the atmosphere falls short, making it hard to feel engaged.”
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