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European PSN releases for April 15
This week's European PSN update caters to a wide variety of interests. Fan of humorous adventure games? Check out the first episode of Sam & Max - The Devil's Playhouse. Looking to revisit an timeless classic? You should pick up Oddworld: Abe's Oddysee. Wanna know what this Kick-Ass business is all about? You can grab the entire comic series on the PSP's Digital Comics Reader. Can't get enough of Britney Spear's impossibly catchy "Toxic?" Guess what -- it's on Karaoke Revolution now. You're welcome! Choose your platform to view the corresponding release list: (Note: Continue past the break to view both release lists.)
Sam & Max: The Penal Zone gameplay video is very Stinky
The trailers haven't done anything for you. Our words of praise and adulation leave you unaffected. So what, then, will it take to get you interested in Sam & Max: The Devil's Playhouse? If your answer was two minutes and seventeen seconds of unadulterated PS3 gameplay footage, then we've got you covered. Telltale has released a gameplay trailer featuring Max's newfound psychic powers and everyone's favorite diner operator, Stinky. It also teaches a valuable lesson: Don't ever call Max by the name "Harvey." The first episode of The Devil's Playhouse, entitled The Penal Zone, premieres on PC, Mac and PlayStation Network this Thursday, April 15.
New Sam & Max: The Penal Zone trailer, iPad version on sale
Telltale has released a new trailer for the latest season of Sam & Max, entitled The Devil's Playhouse. While the trailer is specifically tailored to the iPad version -- which is already available -- we're sure that all the Mac, PC and PS3 holdouts will enjoy it just the same (while they wait until next week). Just to make that pain a little more poignant, Telltale has also announced that iPad version of the first episode, The Penal Zone, is now on sale in the App Store. Usually going for $9.99, the season opener can be gotten at $6.99 for "a limited time." Sam & Max Episode 1: The Penal Zone for iPad ($6.99) %Gallery-90029%
PSN Thursday: Sam & Max pre-order, Heavy Rain soundtrack
Max: Lissssten to my voice, you will pre-order Sam & Max: The Devil's Playhouse for $30. We will pre-order Sam & Max Max: You will also watch the next episode of The Tester. We will also ... wait, do we have to? Check out the full PSN update after the break. Choose your platform to view the corresponding release list: (Note: Continue past the break to view both release lists.)
Impressions: Sam & Max: The Devil's Playhouse - The Penal Zone (PS3)
You wouldn't expect to find "We've tightened up the graphics on Episode Three" among the usual list of noted improvements between Telltale's episodic releases. After all, with endearing, demented characters like Sam and Max taking up quite a bit of the screen, who cares how many polygons are left for that potted plant in the corner? "We wanted to bump everything up presentation-wise for this season," said designer Chuck Jordan, drawing attention to the Telltale engine's impressive -- nay, tight -- visual enhancements. The Penal Zone, the first of five monthly episodes comprising Sam & Max: The Devil's Playhouse, features noticeably improved lighting, real-time shadows and more expressive facial animation. As Jordan pointed out, "an expression can sell a joke for the first time." Based on the demo I saw at the Game Developers Conference, it's also apparent that the improved graphics do make a difference to that potted plant. Because you transform into one. "When you finally get to control Max," Jordan said, "it's really weird." Like, really really weird. %Gallery-88038%
Sam & Max PSN pre-orders start March 18; other console versions a 'definite possibility'
Sam and Max will bring their off-kilter humor to PlayStation 3 for the first time in The Devil's Playhouse: The Penal Zone, the first episode in a new season of Telltale's episodic adventure series. In a first for the PlayStation Store, the full season -- consisting of five monthly episodes -- will become available for pre-order on March 18, nearly a month before The Penal Zone launches on April 15. While PC and Mac owners will receive substantial benefits for pre-ordering the full season, including a free game episode, access to developer chats and extra downloadable goodies, Telltale noted that it also has a deal in store (you know, actually in the store) for console players. According to Telltale PR manager Chris Schmidt, pre-ordering the full pack will reduce the cost to $29.99, a minor but not unwelcome discount from the regular price of $34.95. Speaking to Joystiq at a meeting during the Game Developers Conference on Friday, Schmidt also addressed the obvious question: Will this season of Sam & Max come to Xbox 360 or Wii? He called it a "definite possibility" a few months down the line, and noted that it's in Telltale's best interest to work with more partners and deliver its games to as wide an audience as possible. Designer Chuck Jordan jokingly added that Telltale would ultimately like "to get the games on everything that has a chip in it." Forget the 360 -- what could be better than getting Sam & Max in a tube of Pringles?
Sam and Max penetrate 'The Penal Zone' April 15 on PC, Mac, PS3
The dog-gone long title of Sam & Max: The Devil's Playhouse - Episode 1: The Penal Zone will hop upon the internets for digital distribution on April 15. The first episode of the duo's third season of freelance police work will be available on PC, Mac -- and PS3, quelle surprise. Pre-orders for the whole season on PC and Mac are currently available on Telltale's site for $35, which also comes with an episode from Strong Bad, Wallace & Gromit or a previous Sam & Max season for free. "Pre-orders on PlayStation Network coming soon." %Gallery-88038%
ESRB rates 'Sam & Max: The Devil's Playhouse' for PS3 [update]
The bunny was already out of the velvet hat regarding Sam & Max: The Devil's Playhouse - Episode 1: The Penal Zone, but here's a twist: it's coming to the PS3, according to the ESRB. If true, this would be the first time Sam & Max bring their special style of police work to Sony's console. Oddly, no ratings for other consoles (nor PC) have been published on the ESRB's online database. We're currently following up with developer Telltale and the ESRB for clarification on platforms. After all, nobody should be left out when it comes to the Sam & Max adventure games. Update 2: The ESRB rating has been pulled. According to the ESRB, "The platforms listed on our site are those that have been identified to us by game publishers. As it turns out, this title has been removed from our website today at the request of the publisher, but will be reposted at a later date. Any question related to this title and what platforms it will be available on should go to its publisher." Update: A Telltale rep tells us, "It's fine to say multi-platform, including PC and a selected console platform. And one might speculate on Mac too for this series, given our announcements at Macworld earlier this month. Real official news is expected very soon."
'Sam & Max: The Devil's Playhouse' outed by OFLC
Like good burlesque, Telltale had been teasing a new season of Sam & Max ... meanwhile, like good porn, Australia's OFLC went ahead and just exposed the goods. Unless a dramatic change occurs, it appears the title of the next installment in the comedic adventure series is titled Sam & Max: The Devil's Playhouse - Episode 1: The Penal Zone. The premature ratings announcement obviously doesn't contain much aside from a title -- there's no telling whether the game might eventually come to Mac or iPhone as recently rumored -- but at this point, we'll take whatever glimpse we can get. [Thanks, 5abanja]
