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Sam & Max Beyond Time and Space
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| Sam & Max Beyond Time and Space | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Developer | Telltale Games[a] |
| Publishers |
|
| Designer | Dave Grossman |
| Programmer | Randy Tudor |
| Artist | David Bogan |
| Writers |
|
| Composer | Jared Emerson-Johnson |
| Series | Sam & Max |
| Engine | Telltale Tool |
| Platforms | |
| Release | Microsoft Windows 2007 – 2008
|
| Genre | Graphic adventure |
| Mode | Single-player |
Sam & Max Beyond Time and Space, originally released as Sam & Max: Season Two, is an episodic graphic adventure video game by Telltale Games based on the Sam & Max comic book series created by Steve Purcell. It is a sequel to Telltale's previous Sam & Max game, Sam & Max Save the World, and was originally released as five episodes for Microsoft Windows over the course of late 2007 and early 2008, before being ported to other platforms in the following years. A remaster of the game by Skunkape Games was released in December 2021 for Windows, Nintendo Switch and Xbox One, and in September 2022 for PlayStation 4.
Gameplay
[edit]Beyond Time and Space builds on Save the World with more dynamic NPCs, an updated engine, a hint system, support for widescreen monitors, more realistic animations, and more mini-games within each episode. Beyond Time and Space features a calibration assistant when first run, which allows the player to set their graphics and difficulty settings before playing.
Synopsis
[edit]A year after the events of the previous game, Freelance Police Sam and Max discover their pet goldfish Mr. Spatula has turned evil, but he is killed by a giant robot sent by Santa Claus. The two head to the North Pole and find Santa firing upon the elves with a machine gun. Suspecting Santa is possessed, Sam and Max conduct an exorcism, but discover the demon is possessing an elf instead. With help from the Spirits of Christmas Past, Present, and Future, the demon is reduced to a plate of Jell-O, which Santa inadvertently eats and becomes possessed. Sam and Max knock Santa out, learning the demon was meant for Satan but sent to Santa due to a typo. They send Santa to Hell and deliver all the Christmas presents in his place.
A month later, Sybil and Abe get sucked into a Bermuda Triangle portal. Sam and Max follow and arrive on Easter Island, populated by missing people turned to babies by the Fountain of Youth, and are told by the local Moai that a prophecy states that a volcano will erupt and destroy them. In a nearby cave, they discover a group of aquatic Ocean Chimps who worship the Moai's giant stone feet, and the ghost of Mr. Spatula has established himself as their High Priest, planning to use a machine to trigger an eruption. Sam convinces the Ocean Chimps that Max is the true High Priest, but Mr. Spatula sets off the eruption, only for Sam and Max to use a giant Bermuda Triangle to divert the lava. The two swim back to shore with Abe, who has broken up with Sybil, while the Moai are suddenly abducted.
Sometime later, the city is attacked by zombies from the Zombie Factory, a nightclub in Stuttgart run by the vampire Jurgen. Using traditional vampire weaknesses to lower Jurgen's popularity and make him vulnerable, Sam and Max pursue Jurgen but get caught in a death-trap and killed. The two reawaken as zombies and find Jurgen sleeping in his coffin and their souls trapped waiting to be shipped off to Hell. They retrieve a Soul Mater device from Sybil, inadvertently convincing her to get back together with Abe, but accidentally end up in each other's bodies. The two force Jurgen into his own deathtrap, and his soul is abducted. As Sam and Max return to their bodies, their neighbor and fellow detective Flint Paper arrives to announce Bosco has gone missing.
The three break into Bosco's store to look for clues, but Sam and Max inadvertently signal a UFO, which abducts them. They find Bosco, who has turned into a cow after stumbling into a time-traveling elevator and inadvertently altering the events of his birth. Sam and Max use the elevator to travel through time and restore Bosco, and they discover the UFO is piloted by past, present and future versions of a mariachi named Pedro, who travel through time in order to perform at everyone's birthday and collect souls for Hell to pay for their spaceship. Bosco is overwhelmed and dies of a heart attack, and the mariachis decide to use his soul to fill their quota. Sam and Max trick the mariachis into leaving so they can rescue Bosco's soul, but they accidentally send it to Hell and trigger the ship's self-destruct sequence. The two follow Bosco's soul through the portal, while the spaceship explodes just as it reaches the beginning of time, causing the Big Bang.
Sam and Max emerge in a subway station to Hell below their office. After gaining access to the train, they discover Hell to be an office environment employing their deceased enemies from past episodes. Satan ignores the two, but they interfere by freeing all their deceased friends' souls from their personal Hells. Sam demands that all these souls be released, and Satan agrees, but tricks Sam into taking their place. Max frees Sam, only to discover Satan is no longer in charge of Hell, which has been taken over by the Soda Poppers. The trio fire Satan and initiate a series of new evil plots, but Sam and Max thwart each of these and convince Satan to join them in retaking Hell. The Soda Poppers assume demonic forms and attempt to kill Sam & Max, but are tricked into using their own banishing ritual against themselves, trapping them in a fiery pit and allowing Satan to take back control. Everyone then leaves to attend Abe and Sybil's wedding. In a post-credits scene, the Soda Poppers swear revenge, only to be killed by the diverted lava flow from Easter Island.
Episodes
[edit]| Episode | Release date | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GameTap release | General release | |||
| "Ice Station Santa" | November 8, 2007 | November 9, 2007 | ||
| ||||
| "Moai Better Blues" | January 10, 2008 | January 11, 2008 | ||
| ||||
| "Night of the Raving Dead" | February 12, 2008 | February 13, 2008 | ||
| ||||
| "Chariots of the Dogs" | March 13, 2008 | March 14, 2008 | ||
| ||||
| "What's New, Beelzebub?" | April 10, 2008 | April 11, 2008 | ||
| ||||
Release
[edit]Unlike Save the World, where GameTap users were able to access each episode two weeks before it was available through Telltale's website, Beyond Time and Space reduced this period down to one day.[1] The first episode, "Ice Station Santa", was released on November 8 on GameTap, followed by a worldwide release on November 9. The second episode was delayed until January 11, 2008. New episodes were thereafter released on the second Thursday and Friday of each month.[2]
As with Save the World in 2007, Beyond Time and Space was released on Steam on May 16, 2008.
Atari published Sam & Max Beyond Time and Space worldwide for both Microsoft Windows (in 2009) and Wii (in 2010). The game also received fully localized releases in French and German, as well as Italian and Spanish subtitles for the foreign language versions of Beyond Time and Space.[3]
Sam & Max Season One and Two were released for Xbox Live Arcade in February 2009.[4] Telltale also officially named Season Two Beyond Time and Space.[5]
A remaster by Skunkape Games was released in December 2021 for Windows, Nintendo Switch, and Xbox One, and in September 2022 for PlayStation 4. Like the Save the World remaster, it features new cinematics and music, improved character models and lighting, and some re-recorded dialogue.[6][7]
Reception
[edit]| Game | GameRankings | Metacritic |
|---|---|---|
| Episode 1: Ice Station Santa | 82%[8] | 82[9] |
| Episode 2: Moai Better Blues | 81%[10] | 80[11] |
| Episode 3: Night of the Raving Dead | 80%[12] | 79[13] |
| Episode 4: Chariots of the Dogs | 85%[14] | 85[15] |
| Episode 5: What's New, Beelzebub? | 85%[16] | 85[17] |
Episode 1: Ice Station Santa
[edit]Episode 1: Ice Station Santa received positive reviews. It received an aggregated score of 82% on GameRankings based on 32 reviews[8] and 82/100 on Metacritic based on 32 reviews.[9]
Episode 2: Moai Better Blues
[edit]Episode 2: Moai Better Blues received positive reviews. It received an aggregated score of 81% on GameRankings based on 32 reviews[10] and 80/100 on Metacritic based on 30 reviews.[11]
Episode 3: Night of the Raving Dead
[edit]Episode 3: Night of the Raving Dead received positive reviews. It received an aggregated score of 80% on GameRankings based on 28 reviews[12] and 79/100 on Metacritic based on 26 reviews.[13]
Episode 4: Chariots of the Dogs
[edit]Episode 4: Chariots of the Dogs received positive reviews. It received an aggregated score of 85% on GameRankings based on 27 reviews[14] and 85/100 on Metacritic based on 23 reviews.[15]
Episode 5: What's New, Beelzebub?
[edit]Episode 5: What's New, Beelzebub? received positive reviews. It received an aggregated score of 85% on GameRankings based on 22 reviews[16] and 85/100 on Metacritic based on 20 reviews.[17]
References
[edit]- ^ Faylor, Chris (July 25, 2007). "Sam & Max Return To GameTap For Season Two". Shacknews. Archived from the original on September 17, 2011. Retrieved July 25, 2007.
- ^ jake (September 25, 2007). "Season Two premiere release date and title revealed!". The Telltale Blog. Telltale Games. Archived from the original on November 24, 2007. Retrieved September 25, 2007.
- ^ emily (December 2, 2008). "Sam & Max Season Two coming to retail, Wii". The Telltale Blog. Telltale Games. Archived from the original on December 5, 2008. Retrieved December 2, 2008.
- ^ J., Kev (February 26, 2008). "Sam & Max Confirmed for XboxLIVE! Arcade". Electronic Theatre. Archived from the original on July 19, 2009. Retrieved February 26, 2009.
- ^ Fahey, Mike (February 26, 2009). "Sam & Max Hit The Xbox Live Arcade". Kotaku.
- ^ Davis, Wes (December 4, 2020). "Skunkape Games Already Working on Remastering Seasons 2, 3 of Sam and Max". Hardcore Gamer. Archived from the original on April 16, 2021. Retrieved December 4, 2020.
- ^ "Announcing Sam & Max: Beyond Time and Space Remastered!". Steam News. November 17, 2021. Archived from the original on January 30, 2022. Retrieved November 18, 2021.
- ^ a b "Sam & Max Beyond Time and Space - Episode 1: Ice Station Santa Reviews". GameRankings. Archived from the original on February 19, 2015. Retrieved February 19, 2015.
- ^ a b "Sam & Max Beyond Time and Space - Episode 1: Ice Station Santa Reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved February 19, 2015.
- ^ a b "Sam & Max Beyond Time and Space - Episode 2: Moai Better Blues Reviews". GameRankings. Archived from the original on February 19, 2015. Retrieved February 19, 2015.
- ^ a b "Sam & Max Beyond Time and Space - Episode 2: Moai Better Blues Reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved February 19, 2015.
- ^ a b "Sam & Max Beyond Time and Space - Episode 3: Night of the Raving Dead Reviews". GameRankings. Archived from the original on February 19, 2015. Retrieved February 19, 2015.
- ^ a b "Sam & Max Beyond Time and Space - Episode 3: Night of the Raving Dead Reviews". Metacritic. Archived from the original on May 2, 2025. Retrieved February 19, 2015.
- ^ a b "Sam & Max Beyond Time and Space - Episode 4: Chariots of the Dogs Reviews". GameRankings. Archived from the original on February 19, 2015. Retrieved February 19, 2015.
- ^ a b "Sam & Max Beyond Time and Space - Episode 4: Chariots of the Dogs Reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved February 19, 2015.
- ^ a b "Sam & Max Beyond Time and Space - Episode 5: What's New, Beelzebub? Reviews". GameRankings. Archived from the original on February 19, 2015. Retrieved February 19, 2015.
- ^ a b "Sam & Max Beyond Time and Space - Episode 5: What's New, Beelzebub? Reviews". Metacritic. Archived from the original on May 2, 2025. Retrieved February 19, 2015.
External links
[edit]- Official website at the Wayback Machine (archived July 16, 2018)
- Official website (Remastered)
Notes
[edit]Sam & Max Beyond Time and Space
View on Grokipediafrom Grokipedia
Sam & Max Beyond Time and Space is a 2021 remastered collection of five episodic graphic adventure video games, originally developed by Telltale Games and released digitally between November 2007 and April 2008 as Sam & Max: Season Two.[1][2] The series features the titular characters—Sam, a calm and besuited canine detective, and Max, his hyperactive, rabbity sidekick—as "Freelance Police" who solve bizarre cases involving supernatural threats, conspiracy theories, and absurd scenarios, such as thwarting an evil Santa Claus at the North Pole or quelling a zombie outbreak in a nightclub.[3][1] Based on the cult comic book series created by Steve Purcell in the 1980s, the games blend point-and-click puzzle-solving, dialogue-driven interactions, and satirical humor in a surreal, noir-inspired world.[4][5]
The remaster, developed by Skunkape Games—a studio formed by former Telltale employees including Jake Rodkin, Dan Conners, and others—was released on December 8, 2021, for platforms including Microsoft Windows, Nintendo Switch, and Xbox One, with PlayStation 4 following in September 2022.[1][2][3][6] Key enhancements include high-definition graphics with overhauled lighting and lip-sync, remastered audio, refined cinematography, and eight new musical tracks featuring live jazz performances, while preserving the original episodic structure and voice acting by David Nowlin (Sam) and William Kasten (Max).[1][3] The collection spans interconnected stories across episodes titled Ice Station Santa, Moai Better Blues, Night of the Raving Dead, Chariots of the Dogs, and What's New, Beelzebub?, culminating in a battle against a demonic entity and themes of friendship amid chaos.[2][5]
Originally part of Telltale's revival of the Sam & Max franchise following the 1993 LucasArts game Sam & Max Hit the Road, Season Two built on the success of the first season (Sam & Max Save the World, 2006–2007) by introducing more ambitious set pieces and pop culture parodies.[1] The remaster arrived after Telltale's closure in 2018, aiming to modernize the title for new audiences while honoring its roots in Purcell's independent comics, which debuted in a 1987 comic book and were collected in Surfin' the Highway (1989).[4][5] Critically acclaimed for its writing and art style, the original season won IGN's 2008 Adventure Game of the Year award, and the remaster has been praised for its faithful updates, earning scores around 80 on Metacritic.[1][7]
Critics noted some recurring issues, including occasional obtuseness in puzzle design that could frustrate players seeking logical progression, as mentioned in IGN's analysis of the season's trial-and-error mechanics.[75]
The series earned recognition for its excellence in the adventure genre, winning IGN's Best Adventure Game of 2008 and PC Gamer's Adventure Game of the Year award, underscoring its impact on episodic storytelling.[2] Commercially, the episodes contributed significantly to Telltale Games' growth through robust digital sales, with the broader Sam & Max series surpassing 500,000 units sold by 2009, helping establish the studio as a leader in downloadable content.[77]
Development
Original development
Telltale Games developed Sam & Max: Season Two as the follow-up to the first season, Sam & Max Save the World, building on the established episodic format for the Freelance Police duo.[8] The project originated from the comic book series created by Steve Purcell in 1987, which provided the foundation for the characters' surreal, irreverent humor.[9] The episodic release model was retained to sustain player engagement, with monthly drops allowing Telltale to refine subsequent installments based on community feedback and sales data from the prior season.[10] Each episode premiered on GameTap before becoming available for download on Telltale's site and other platforms, encouraging ongoing anticipation while enabling adjustments for pacing and content.[11] Development utilized the proprietary Telltale Tool engine, which featured enhancements over Season One, including more fluid animations, dynamic lighting effects, and tighter puzzle mechanics integrated with narrative progression.[12] The writing team, led by designer Brendan Q. Ferguson alongside Dave Grossman and Chuck Jordan, emphasized escalating absurdity and character-driven comedy drawn from Purcell's original comics.[13] [14] Voice work continued with the core cast from the first season, featuring David Nowlin as the laconic dog Sam and William Kasten as the hyperactive rabbity thing Max, replacing Andrew Chaikin's initial portrayal in Episode 101.[13] [15] Supporting roles were filled by recurring performers like Peter Barto as Flint Paper and Jenn McGowan as Sybil, maintaining continuity in the ensemble.[13] The season's overarching design centered on themes of time travel and spatial anomalies, with each installment delving into unique locales such as a holiday North Pole crisis in the opener and ancient [Easter Island](/page/Easter Island) mysteries in the follow-up.[1] Production spanned from mid-2007, with the debut episode launching in November 2007 and the finale wrapping the arc in April 2008, ahead of a collected release in June.[8][11]Remaster development
In November 2021, Skunkape Games, a studio founded in late 2020 by former Telltale Games staff including co-founder Dan Connors, announced plans to remaster Telltale's second season of Sam & Max episodic adventures, retitling it Sam & Max: Beyond Time and Space.[16][17] The project aimed to revive the 2007-2008 content for modern platforms, leveraging a small team of around 12 developers experienced in the original series.[17] Key technical upgrades included newly choreographed cutscenes, improved 3D character models, dynamic lighting, and re-animated sequences to enhance visual fidelity while preserving the game's distinctive art style.[2][18] Audio enhancements featured an estimated 20 minutes of new, fully orchestrated music composed by series veteran Jared Emerson-Johnson, alongside upgraded sound design and lip-sync technology.[5] Dialogue audio was largely retained from the originals but improved for clarity, with select lines re-recorded for certain characters—such as Bosco, voiced by a new actor for diversity considerations—while main protagonists Sam (David Nowlin) and Max (William Kasten) used the original performances.[19][20] Preservation efforts focused on compatibility with contemporary hardware, incorporating high-resolution textures upscaled from original PSD files, native widescreen (16:9) support, and optimizations like unified UI controls for controllers to address limitations of the Telltale Tool engine.[18][17] These updates ensured the episodic structure, humor, and puzzle logic remained intact, with developers carefully adapting assets—such as combining scenes that previously failed to load together in the updated engine—without altering core gameplay or comedic timing.[17] Development faced challenges in migrating legacy assets to a modern engine, including repainting textures for consistency and recovering missing audio files from past publishing deals, all while balancing fidelity to the source material's irreverent tone and intricate point-and-click puzzles.[17] Post-launch support continued through patches, culminating in the version 2.0.0 update on October 11, 2024, which resolved persistent bugs, optimized performance across platforms, and introduced minor UI refinements for better accessibility. As of November 2025, no further major updates or expansions have been released.[21]Gameplay
Core mechanics
Sam & Max Beyond Time and Space employs traditional point-and-click adventure gameplay, where players control freelance police officers Sam and Max to investigate bizarre cases across five episodes. The interface centers on a mouse-driven cursor for PC versions, allowing players to navigate environments, interact with objects, manage an inventory, and engage in dialogue trees that branch based on choices, potentially altering puzzle solutions or conversation outcomes.[22][23][24] Puzzle-solving relies on combining items from the inventory, manipulating environmental elements, and applying absurd logic reflective of the protagonists' eccentric personalities, such as Max's impulsive and hyperkinetic behaviors that enable unconventional interactions. Dynamic non-player characters (NPCs) exhibit reactive behaviors, responding to player actions through evolving conversations that provide clues or trigger events, supplemented by occasional mini-games including driving and shooting challenges to diversify progression.[22][25][26] The game features a save system supporting mid-episode checkpoints, enabling players to resume progress within individual stories, alongside an adjustable hint assistant where Max delivers contextual quips to aid stuck players without spoiling solutions. On PC, controls emphasize mouse precision for pointing and clicking, with options like double-clicking to run; console ports, such as those for Xbox 360 and Wii, adapt this scheme to controllers using analog sticks for cursor movement and buttons for selections, maintaining the exploratory focus amid surreal, hand-drawn environments.[23][26][22] Each episode is structured as a self-contained narrative lasting 2-4 hours, interconnected by overarching themes that encourage sequential play for full context, though episodes can be accessed independently. The remaster enhances these mechanics with visual polish, improving clarity in interactive elements.[24][26][22]Remaster enhancements
The 2021 remaster of Sam & Max: Beyond Time and Space introduced significant technical upgrades to modernize the original 2007 episodic adventure, building on its foundational point-and-click mechanics with enhancements to visuals, sound, and usability. Graphical improvements include higher-resolution models and smoother animations across all assets, alongside dynamic lighting, real-time shadows, and enhanced ambient effects to better capture atmospheric settings, such as the falling snow at the North Pole or the eerie glows in the Zombie Factory rave scenes.[27] Character models were also revised to align more closely with artist Steve Purcell's original aesthetic, including updates to figures like Kid Sam, Kid Max, Flint Paper, and Jurgen.[27] Audio enhancements focused on clarity and immersion, with remastered higher-quality voice files for the English track and subtitles available in multiple languages including German, French, Spanish, and Italian. Specific re-recordings, such as Bosco's lines by voice actor Ogie Banks, were added for improved delivery, while composer Jared Emerson-Johnson expanded the orchestral score with eight new tracks and embellishments to existing ones, including a fresh theme titled "City Streets Saunter" to replace reused music from the prior season.[27] Accessibility options were expanded to broaden appeal, featuring toggles to skip driving mini-games, disable seizure-inducing lighting effects, customizable subtitles with optional backgrounds, full controller remapping, and support for mouse, keyboard, or gamepad inputs. Performance optimizations ensure smooth 60 FPS gameplay, shorter load times, and resolutions of original bugs, alongside refinements like an improved DeSoto decal collection system that allows backtracking for missed items without full replays.[27] New content integrates seamlessly with the episodes, including additional cutscenes with refined camera angles and character animations to bridge narrative gaps, plus updated end credits sequences and hidden Easter eggs for replay value. The original 2007 Season Two episodes are bundled as free DLC for remaster owners.[27] A 2024 update to version 2.0.0 delivered further stability improvements, fixing rare crashes related to dialog file loading and resolution settings exceeding native display capabilities, enhancing compatibility across platforms including the Steam Deck.[28]Plot
Synopsis
Sam & Max Beyond Time and Space serves as the second season in Telltale Games' episodic graphic adventure series, acting as a direct sequel to Sam & Max Save the World and expanding the established lore through interconnected cases involving holiday and historical disruptions.[29][30] The protagonists, Sam—a laconic, six-foot-tall canine detective with a penchant for justice—and Max—a hyperkinetic rabbity thing driven by mayhem—operate as the Freelance Police, investigating increasingly bizarre crimes that span surreal dimensions.[2][5] Their partnership forms the core of the narrative, with Sam's measured, straight-man demeanor providing stark contrast to Max's impulsive chaos, allowing for character arcs that deepen their bond amid escalating personal stakes.[31] The overarching narrative arc centers on manipulations of time and space that precipitate multiversal chaos, propelling the duo into a supernatural conspiracy of massive proportions orchestrated by recurring antagonists, including the washed-up child stars known as the Soda Poppers and infernal demonic entities.[31][32] This framework builds tension through a unified storyline across five episodes, blending the Freelance Police's routine crime-solving with high-stakes interdimensional threats that risk their lives, limbs, and souls in pursuit of a delightfully devilish mastermind.[29][33] The game's tone embodies surreal humor rooted in Steve Purcell's original comics, fusing film noir detective tropes, horror elements, and eclectic pop culture references to create an irreverent, comedic atmosphere.[5] Narrative choices occasionally influence puzzle resolutions and dialogue outcomes, enhancing player engagement with the duo's anarchic world. The season concludes with a resolution entangled in hellish bureaucracy and an unexpected wedding, hinting at untapped potential for future escapades in the Freelance Police's ongoing saga.[32][29]Ice Station Santa
"Ice Station Santa" is the first episode of the episodic adventure game Sam & Max Beyond Time and Space, released on November 8, 2007.[34] The story opens with Sam and Max's office under assault by a massive robot known as the Maimtron 9000, which they defeat using a wind-up key found nearby; investigation reveals the robot was a "gift" from Santa Claus himself.[35] Prompted by reports of chaos at the North Pole, the duo travels there and discovers Santa Claus barricaded in his office, armed with a machine gun and refusing to emerge, while his elf workers cower in fear.[36] To resolve the crisis, Sam and Max must collect action figures representing the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse—Death, Pestilence, Famine, and War—from various neighborhood contacts, including the paranoid shopkeeper Bosco and the diner owner Stinky, to perform an exorcism ritual.[35] The plot takes a twist when the exorcism reveals that Santa is not the possessed one; instead, a demon known as the Shambling Corporate Presence has taken over a managerial elf, leading Santa to isolate himself in an attempt to contain the threat.[36] With the aid of the Three Spirits of Christmas—Past, Present, and Future—Sam and Max embark on time-travel adventures to correct three historically ruined Christmases: in the past, aiding young Jimmy Two-Teeth; in the present, resolving a family dispute involving a giant bug; and in the future, escaping a volcanic pit using Santa's sleigh.[35] These efforts culminate in expelling the demon, which manifests as sentient Jell-O; however, Santa accidentally consumes it and becomes possessed, requiring a final confrontation where the duo defeats him by launching a cannonball at his head.[36] In a ironic turn, the episode ends with Sam and Max delivering Christmas presents across the world, embracing the holiday spirit in their typically absurd fashion.[37] Key locations in the episode include the duo's remodeled office street in New York, Bosco's Inconvenience Store, Stinky's Diner, and the North Pole workshop complex, which features elf hiding spots and Santa's fortified office.[38] Prominent characters beyond the protagonists encompass the demonic Santa (initially misidentified as the primary antagonist), the unnamed possessed red-suited managerial elf, recurring allies like Sybil Pandemik the taxidermist and Flint Paper the detective, and holiday-specific figures such as the Soda Poppers and the Christmas Spirits.[35] Puzzles emphasize festive, satirical elements, such as using mistletoe as a makeshift weapon, controlling reindeer via hypnosis, and assembling apocalyptic toys to banish the demon, all integrated into the point-and-click mechanics.[36] The episode satirizes Christmas consumerism through its portrayal of toy-driven demonic influence and exploitative elf labor in Santa's workshop, blending holiday lore with horror and absurdity in a self-contained narrative that runs approximately two hours in length.[38]Moai Better Blues
"Moai Better Blues" is the second episode of Sam & Max Beyond Time and Space, released on January 11, 2008, and typically playable in about two hours.[39][40] The story begins as Sam and Max return to their neighborhood from the previous episode's North Pole adventure, only to witness their recurring ally Sybil Pandemik being pursued by a rogue Bermuda Triangle portal. After consulting Flint Paper and using a red octagon stop sign to halt the vortex, the duo enters the portal, which transports them to Easter Island, where a volcanic eruption threatens to destroy the iconic moai statues and the island itself.[41][42] A trio of talking moai statues, serving as ancient guardians, interpret a prophecy foretelling the arrival of a "shoeless dog" (Sam) and a "big mouth with ears" (Max) to avert the disaster caused by an angry volcano god.[43][44] The episode's key locations include the sun-drenched beaches of Easter Island, the Tiny Tiki bar filled with transformed denizens, an underground cave serving as a hidden lab, and the towering moai statue heads that overlook the terrain. Unique characters encountered include the moai guardians, who manipulate elemental forces; baby versions of missing celebrities like Jimmy Hoffa, reverted to infancy by a Fountain of Youth effect on the island; and a group of scheming ocean chimps led by the villainous Mr. Spatula, who seek to exploit the impending cataclysm.[41][42] Sybil Pandemik appears briefly in the prologue, while Abraham Lincoln's disembodied head, her boyfriend, provides comic relief. Puzzles center on statue manipulation—such as striking gongs to generate blue and yellow triangular portals for traversal—along with tasks involving geological disruptions like neutralizing piranhas with lightning and performing "miracles" in the cave, such as anointing with Banang soda and using Max's rabbity features to outwit the chimps.[45][42] The narrative explores themes of ancient mysteries through the moai's prophetic lore and the island's repository of lost artifacts and celebrities, while satirizing environmental threats via the volcano's rage as a metaphor for unchecked natural disasters. The resolution involves Sam and Max fulfilling the prophecy by disposing of Jimmy Hoffa in a comedic manner and redirecting the eruption through a portal, ultimately saving the island and returning home with a sense of bewildered triumph.[44][41]Night of the Raving Dead
"Night of the Raving Dead" is the third episode in the second season of the adventure game series Sam & Max: Beyond Time and Space, released on February 12, 2008, for GameTap subscribers and February 13, 2008, via the Telltale Games store.[46] The episode centers on a sudden zombie outbreak that infests the freelance police duo's neighborhood, transforming it into a chaotic scene of undead revelry. Sam and Max, upon returning from their previous adventure on Easter Island, discover shambling zombies converging on the streets, prompting them to investigate the source of the infestation.[47] Their probe leads them to Stuttgart, Germany, where a vampire DJ named Jurgen has unleashed the apocalypse by zombifying partygoers at his gothic castle nightclub, turning the venue into a perpetual rave for the undead.[48] To halt the spread, the duo must disrupt Jurgen's influence over the zombies by undermining his personal style—his rhymes, dance moves, and trendy image—while crafting ways to cure the infected.[49] Key locations in the episode include the familiar urban neighborhood around Sam and Max's office, featuring Stinky's Diner and Sybil's storefront, now overrun by zombies wielding beer steins and speaking in a bizarre undead dialect.[48] The action shifts to the Zombie Factory, a makeshift lab where infected civilians are processed, and a local TV studio used for broadcasting trends that affect the zombie horde. The primary hub is Jurgen's foreboding castle in Stuttgart, a Transylvania-inspired setting with stormy atmospheres, a throbbing rave nightclub, and hidden chambers for confrontations.[49] These environments blend everyday Americana with European gothic horror, emphasizing the episode's urban undead chaos distinct from the archaeological mysteries of the prior installment.[48] Unique characters drive the horror-comedy narrative, with Jurgen serving as the flamboyant antagonist—a metrosexual emo vampire with nipple piercings who controls the zombies through his DJ persona and hypnotic trends.[49] Supporting figures include zombie versions of recurring allies like Stinky the diner owner and Sybil the taxidermist, alongside infected civilians and law enforcement such as detective Flint Paper and the robotic C.O.P.S. unit. A grotesque, customizable monster constructed from zombie parts becomes a pivotal ally in the climax, allowing Sam and Max to transfer their souls for a final showdown.[48] The zombies themselves are portrayed as detachable-limbed hordes more interested in raving than traditional brain-eating, adding to the episode's roster of memorable, grotesque ensembles.[49] Puzzles revolve around crowd control and antidote creation, requiring players to combine items like holy water (made from blessed substances) to bypass zombie guards and cure select infected. Rhythm-based challenges emerge in disrupting Jurgen's dance routines with a sunlamp to expose his vampiric weaknesses, while a rhyme contest demands clever dialogue choices to outwit him verbally. Other mechanics include driving mini-games to navigate zombie-choked streets, setting viral trends with clove cigarettes to erode Jurgen's cool factor, and assembling the monster through trial-and-error body part swaps. These elements culminate in staking Jurgen after soul transference, resolving the outbreak but introducing a cliffhanger that hints at escalating temporal anomalies in subsequent episodes.[48] The episode's themes parody zombie apocalypse tropes through a lens of party culture satire, juxtaposing horror staples like undead hordes and vampire lairs with emo subculture and nightclub excess—zombies groove to anthemic beats rather than lurch menacingly, and Jurgen embodies a ridiculous Eurotrash villain. This horror-comedy blend highlights Sam and Max's teamwork in absurd supernatural scenarios, prioritizing witty disruptions over gore.[49] Clocking in at approximately three hours of gameplay, it delivers a concise yet puzzle-dense experience focused on the present-day undead crisis.[50]Chariots of the Dogs
In "Chariots of the Dogs," the fourth episode of Sam & Max Beyond Time and Space, the freelance police duo embarks on a time-travel adventure triggered by timeline anomalies that have altered history. Sam and Max discover a dystopian future where dogs have risen to rule over humans, forcing the pair to ally with a human resistance movement to restore the proper course of events. The narrative escalates the series' space-time themes from earlier episodes by introducing sci-fi elements like temporal rifts and alternate realities, all while maintaining the duo's signature chaotic humor.[51][52] Key locations in the episode include sprawling future cityscapes dominated by canine architecture, high-stakes chariot races through ruined urban landscapes, and unstable time portals that serve as gateways between eras. These environments highlight the episode's blend of retro-futurism and absurdity, with interactive elements that players must navigate to progress the story. Unique characters encountered include variants of Max from the future, portrayed as jaded leaders in the dog-dominated society; authoritarian dog overlords who enforce their rule with bizarre technology; and sentient time-travel devices that aid or hinder the protagonists' efforts.[53] Puzzles in the episode revolve around resolving temporal paradoxes, such as preventing events in the past that lead to the dystopian future, engaging in vehicle chases during chariot races to evade pursuers, and building alliances with resistance members through dialogue and item-based interactions. These mechanics emphasize strategic time manipulation and quick-thinking, often requiring players to revisit locations across timelines. The episode satirizes themes of authority and alternate histories, poking fun at power structures through the lens of a world inverted by canine supremacy and the duo's irreverent interventions.[51][52] Clocking in at approximately 3 hours of gameplay, "Chariots of the Dogs" was originally released on March 13, 2008, as part of Telltale Games' episodic distribution model.What's New, Beelzebub?
"What's New, Beelzebub?" serves as the climactic finale to Sam & Max Beyond Time and Space, where protagonists Sam and Max descend into Hell to retrieve the souls of characters who perished across the season, including Bosco.[54] The underworld manifests as Hell LLC, a sprawling corporate bureaucracy overrun with demonic clerks processing souls through endless red tape and office drudgery.[55] Key locations include the infernal headquarters with its cubicle-filled chambers, limbo realms representing personal hells for trapped individuals, and a surprise wedding chapel that provides emotional resolution.[56] The episode, lasting approximately 3 to 4 hours, was originally released on April 10, 2008, via GameTap, with a Telltale Games download available the following day.[57][58] Central to the narrative is the duo's navigation of this hellish invasion of Earthly affairs, where they confront Beelzebub—depicted as Satan, voiced in a style reminiscent of Malcolm McDowell—and the recurring villain Stinky, who schemes amid the chaos.[56] Other unique characters include bureaucratic demonic overseers and returning figures like Hugh Bliss and Flint Paper, whose souls must be bargained for or liberated.[54] Puzzles emphasize satirical elements of afterlife administration, such as cutting through soul-processing paperwork, negotiating infernal contracts, and disrupting demonic rituals to free captives from personalized torments.[55] These challenges culminate in Sam and Max facing their own nightmarish visions, tying into broader season arcs while averting a potential apocalyptic takeover by ousted infernal forces.[56] The episode's themes deliver a sharp satire on bureaucratic excess in the afterlife, juxtaposed with explorations of relationships and redemption, as the pair attends a surprise wedding between Sybil Pandemik and Abraham Lincoln at the White House, symbolizing closure amid absurdity.[59] This matrimonial event, witnessed during the end credits, underscores the game's blend of chaotic humor and character-driven resolutions, preventing total damnation while mocking institutional absurdities.[55]Release
Original release
Sam & Max Beyond Time and Space, originally released as Sam & Max: Season Two, debuted as a digital episodic series developed and published by Telltale Games. The first episode, "Ice Station Santa," launched on November 8, 2007, for subscribers on the GameTap service, with a worldwide digital release the following day via the Telltale Games website for Windows PC. Subsequent episodes followed roughly monthly, with GameTap subscribers receiving early access: "Moai Better Blues" on January 10, 2008; "Night of the Raving Dead" on February 12, 2008; "Chariots of the Dogs" on March 13, 2008; and "What's New, Beelzebub?" on April 10, 2008, completing the season by late April. Each episode was available for individual purchase at $8.95, or players could buy a season pass for $34.95, which included all five episodes and bonus content like behind-the-scenes videos. Distribution was exclusively digital through Telltale's website and partners like GameTap, with no physical retail release for the original PC version.[24] The game's console ports began with the full season compilation on Xbox 360 via Xbox Live Arcade on October 14, 2009, priced at $19.99 for the complete set of episodes.[64] This XBLA version marked the first console adaptation, bundling all content into a single download. The Wii port followed on March 16, 2010, in North America, published by Atari, with European and Australian releases on September 30, 2010, and December 1, 2010, respectively.[65] The PlayStation 3 version arrived later on October 18, 2011, through the PlayStation Network as a digital download.[66] Additional ports expanded availability to other platforms. A macOS version was released on May 18, 2010, also digitally through Telltale. The iOS adaptation returned to an episodic model, with episodes launching individually from January 26, 2012, through April 19, 2012, optimized for iPhone and iPad touch controls.[67] Marketing efforts emphasized the episodic model's accessibility and tied into the revival of the Sam & Max comic series, which had been dormant since the 1990s but saw renewed publications coinciding with the game's launch to attract longtime fans. Telltale offered free demos of the first episode on their website to showcase gameplay, alongside community events like online forums and developer Q&A sessions to build engagement.[68][69]Remaster release
The remastered version of Sam & Max: Beyond Time and Space was initially released on December 8, 2021, for Windows via Steam, Nintendo Switch, and Xbox One, bundling all five episodes as a complete season for $19.99 USD.[2][3][70] A PlayStation 4 version followed on September 29, 2022, with backward compatibility for PlayStation 5.[6] Skunkape Games self-published the digital versions for PC, Nintendo Switch, and Xbox, while Limited Run Games handled limited physical editions, including a PlayStation 4 run with pre-orders closing on September 8, 2024.[2][3][71] The game is digitally available on GOG and supports cross-buy options on console storefronts where applicable.[5][70] In 2024, Skunkape released a free patch via Steam on October 10, integrating long-awaited improvements and fixes, with no new platforms announced as of November 2025.[72] Marketing for the remaster highlighted nostalgia through trailers showcasing updated visuals and audio from the original episodic series.[73]Reception
Original critical reception
Upon its episodic release from 2007 to 2008, Sam & Max Beyond Time and Space received generally positive critical reception, with reviewers praising its sharp humor, inventive puzzles, and high production values that built upon the first season's foundation. Adventure Gamers awarded the first episode, Ice Station Santa, a score of 4.5 out of 5, highlighting the "hilarious dialogue and creative puzzles" as standout elements that captured the series' chaotic charm.[74] IGN similarly lauded the overall season in an 8.1 out of 10 review, commending the "witty writing and absurd scenarios" alongside improved animation and voice work that enhanced the freelance police duo's antics.[75] Aggregate scores across platforms reflected this acclaim, particularly on Metacritic for the PC versions of individual episodes:| Episode | Metacritic Score |
|---|---|
| Ice Station Santa | 82 |
| Moai Better Blues | 80 |
| Night of the Raving Dead | 79 |
| Chariots of the Dogs | 85 |
| What's New, Beelzebub? | 85 |
Remaster critical reception
The remastered version of Sam & Max: Beyond Time and Space, released in December 2021, received generally favorable critical reception, with a Metacritic aggregate score of 80/100 based on 10 reviews across platforms. Critics praised the visual and audio enhancements, including dynamic lighting, improved lip-syncing, and a refreshed soundtrack featuring new musical tracks, which were seen as faithful recreations that preserved the original's absurd humor while adding modern appeal. For instance, GamingTrend highlighted the "gorgeous remastered visuals" and "incredible soundtrack," noting how these updates made the episodic adventures feel cohesive and engaging for both returning fans and newcomers.[7] Positive coverage emphasized the remaster's nostalgia factor and improved accessibility options, such as widescreen support and quality-of-life tweaks, which enhanced playability without altering core gameplay. GameGrin described the visuals as "lovely" and appreciated the minor improvements that elevated the experience to feel like a "newer release." However, some critiques pointed to the lack of entirely new content, positioning it as a straightforward update rather than a full reinvention, and occasional performance inconsistencies on older hardware. Nintendo Life noted solid porting but critiqued uneven puzzle integration in certain episodes, though these were attributed more to the original design than the remaster.[78][30] In subsequent coverage, a 2022 review from Roundtable Co-Op commended the remaster's "pleasure" in revisiting the series, particularly for its harmless fun and potential co-op appeal despite being primarily single-player. A major 2.0.0 patch in October 2024 addressed pre-existing minor bugs, including rare crashes and dialogue loading issues, which was well-received in community discussions for stabilizing the game. No significant new reviews emerged in 2025, but ongoing user appreciation persisted, with Steam ratings at Very Positive (91% positive from 399 reviews, as of November 2025), reflecting sustained praise for the remaster's faithful yet polished revival.[79][28][2]References
- https://strategywiki.org/wiki/Sam_%26_Max_Beyond_Time_and_Space/Episode_201:_Ice_Station_Santa
- https://strategywiki.org/wiki/Sam_%26_Max_Beyond_Time_and_Space/Episode_202:_Moai_Better_Blues
- https://strategywiki.org/wiki/Sam_%2526_Max_Beyond_Time_and_Space/Episode_203:_Night_of_the_Raving_Dead
- https://www.[metacritic](/page/Metacritic).com/game/sam-and-max-episode-202-moai-better-blues/
- https://www.[metacritic](/page/Metacritic).com/game/sam-and-max-episode-203-night-of-the-raving-dead/
- https://www.[metacritic](/page/Metacritic).com/game/sam-and-max-episode-204-chariots-of-the-dogs/
- https://www.[metacritic](/page/Metacritic).com/game/sam-and-max-episode-205-whats-new-beelzebub/