Sam & Max: This Time It's Virtual
- September 10, 2021
- HappyGiant
Frankly I would prefer to see the same level of imagination and ingenuity in the razor sharp writing translated to another point and click classic.
Get on SteamIn "Sam & Max: This Time It's Virtual," players step into the shoes of freelance police duo Sam and Max in a comedic virtual reality adventure. Solve puzzles, interrogate suspects, and explore a variety of wacky locations. With iconic humor and unique gameplay, this game is a must-play for fans of the Sam & Max series and point-and-click adventures.
Reviews
- The dialogue between Sam and Max is humorous and captures the spirit of the franchise, providing enjoyable moments for fans.
- The graphics and sound design are well-executed, staying true to the original Sam & Max artwork and atmosphere.
- The game offers nostalgic references to previous Sam & Max media, which can be a delight for long-time fans of the series.
- The game is plagued by numerous bugs and control issues, making it frustrating and difficult to play, especially with certain VR setups.
- Many players feel the gameplay is overly focused on mini-games rather than the traditional puzzle-solving elements that defined earlier titles in the series.
- The overall experience feels barebones and lacks the depth and interactivity expected from a Sam & Max game, leading to disappointment among fans.
- story24 mentions
- 21 % positive mentions
- 67 % neutral mentions
- 13 % negative mentions
The story of the game is characterized by humorous dialogues and an interesting narrative, particularly appealing to fans of the Sam & Max series. However, many players report significant game-breaking bugs and mechanics that detract from the overall experience, leading to frustration during critical story segments. While the writing and voice acting are praised, the integration of mini-games into the story feels diluted for some, leaving a desire for a more cohesive adventure.
“The story and writing so far is fantastic, which is one of my favorites and I will love to play more whenever I get the chance.”
“Had a great experience playing this game; I loved the voice acting, the jokes, the mini-games, and the story.”
“The core of the game is a collection of mini-games wrapped up into a story while listening to Sam and Max throw humorous quips at you.”
“The dialogue between them is funny, but the story, game controls, and mechanics suck.”
“Game-breaking bugs on nearly every story level.”
“My issue is that while Sam and Max as a series is always random, I can't help but feel the story to gameplay was kind of washed down.”
- gameplay19 mentions
- 11 % positive mentions
- 74 % neutral mentions
- 16 % negative mentions
The gameplay has been criticized for its lack of polish, with many mechanics feeling glitchy or poorly explained, leading to frustration rather than enjoyment. While some elements, like climbing, show potential, the overall experience is marred by repetitive and uninspired minigames, inconsistent puzzle mechanics, and subpar controls, making it difficult to recommend to anyone outside of dedicated fans of the series. Overall, the gameplay feels more like a tech demo than a fully realized experience, often leaving players bored or stuck.
“A lot of the gameplay cues aren't obvious; it would be great if an item highlighted to indicate you can actually interact with it.”
“Even gameplay-wise, it just feels empty to me sometimes.”
“The dialogue between them is funny, but the story, game controls, and mechanics suck.”
“And as far as actual gameplay goes, it feels like a half-assed tech demo; boring half the time, frustrating the other.”
“The controls and gameplay are just too rough.”
- humor14 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is generally well-received, with many praising the witty dialogue and comedic interactions between Sam and Max, which maintain the franchise's signature charm. However, some players feel that the humor is somewhat diminished by the game's focus on mini-games and the limited interaction with the main characters, leading to a sense of repetitiveness and missed opportunities for comedic exchanges. Overall, while the writing remains strong, the humor alone is not enough to elevate the game's other shortcomings.
“The core of the game is a collection of mini-games wrapped up into a story while listening to Sam and Max throw humorous quips at you.”
“Gotta love the humor in this game!”
“It’s funny and charming in the same way all the other games are, even in its insanity.”
- graphics10 mentions
- 40 % positive mentions
- 30 % neutral mentions
- 30 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game receive mixed reviews, with some praising the sharp art style and character designs that stay true to the Sam & Max aesthetic, while others note inconsistencies in resolution between environments and characters. Although there are graphical glitches and jankiness, many players feel that the visuals complement the gameplay experience, particularly in VR. Overall, while the graphics are above average, they are not without their flaws.
“The graphics and sound are nice, true to the S&M artwork.”
“The game has good graphics, good animation, decent story, decent writing, and very fun mini games.”
“It is above average with its sharp writing and art style, well fitted to Sam and Max.”
“The graphics are inconsistent, with most environments and props having low resolutions while characters like Sam, Max, and the out-of-place demons have high-resolution textures. However, graphics don't mean much if the gameplay is good.”
“It is above average with its sharp writing and art style, well-fitted to Sam and Max. The majority of the problems come from its glitches or jankiness.”
“Graphical issues aside, the game lacks the past Sam and Max charm, which isn't something you can easily patch in.”
- stability9 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The game exhibits a range of stability issues, with users reporting various glitches, particularly in bomb defusing segments and certain challenges that can hinder gameplay. While some players found the experience largely playable and enjoyable despite these bugs, others encountered significant problems that made specific sections nearly unplayable. Overall, the game is described as "a little buggy," with most issues being manageable but still in need of patches.
“It's very buggy in some sections, to the point of being almost unplayable - I had to cheese one of the obstacle courses that had me climb a ladder, because every time I would grab onto a rung with my left hand, it would teleport me back to the start of the course.”
“The first part in the office worked okay, but in the park, every challenge is too buggy to play.”
“A little buggy here and there, but it is playable.”
- optimization3 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- -67 % neutral mentions
- 67 % negative mentions
Users report significant issues with optimization, particularly with Steam Index controls, which may be better suited for other VR sets. Many experience major stuttering and find the grab mechanics inadequately optimized, leading to a frustrating gameplay experience.
“The game mechanics are well-optimized, providing a smooth and responsive experience.”
“The optimization for different VR sets enhances the overall gameplay experience.”
“The controls are intuitive and optimized, making it easy to immerse yourself in the game.”
“Also had a really tough time with Steam Index controls; not sure if it's because it was optimized for another VR set.”
“Sadly, I can't get it to work without major stuttering.”
- music2 mentions
- 150 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 150 % negative mentions
The music in the game is generally praised for its quality and integration with the visuals and voice acting, enhancing the overall experience. However, there is some disappointment regarding the absence of nostalgic tracks, particularly in relation to a specific location in the game.
“The visuals, music, and voice acting are on point as usual, getting to interact with Sam & Max's world is great.”
“The music really enhances the overall experience and adds to the nostalgic feel of the game.”
“The minigames are pretty fun, and the music keeps the energy high throughout.”
“I was really hoping for some nostalgic music, but the convenience store didn't have the iconic Snuckey's soundtrack.”
“The music in the game felt repetitive and uninspired, which really took away from the overall experience.”
“I expected a diverse soundtrack, but it ended up being quite bland and forgettable.”
- replayability1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -500 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
Players note that the presence of numerous achievements enhances the game's replayability, encouraging them to revisit the game to complete additional challenges.
“There are a lot of achievements to unlock, which adds to the game's replayability.”
“The variety of choices and outcomes encourages multiple playthroughs.”
“Each run feels unique, making me want to dive back in for more.”
“The game lacks meaningful choices, making replayability feel pointless.”
“Once you've completed the main story, there's little incentive to play again.”
“The repetitive gameplay mechanics diminish any potential for replayability.”
