The funniest game written as of 2014 (some may argue this but all will agree that it's very funny). The dialog is a riot. The voice acting is superb. It's a bit like watching a vintage cartoon today. The brilliant pixelated character animations still hold up, and the settings and backgrounds are always an eyeful. Gameplay and inventory management are breathtakingly simple. And then there are the minigames, at least one of which has become a classic reference (Wak-A-Rat). In short, Sam & Max Hit The Road may well be a perfect game. It doesn't waste any chances to be fun or funny, and it doesn't get a single thing wrong.
If you're a game designer--novice or experienced--don't miss this brilliant LucasArts game. From scene to scene, predicament to predicament, puzzle to puzzle, it is a symphony of brilliant design choices. Games like this remind us that most game theory is the bunk. What counts are surprises and imagination.
"Better than Stonekeep!" the ad and box blurbs stated in its day. Quite a boast, but it turned out to be true. Half because Stonekeep didn't quite live up to its pre-release hype, but also because there is so much originality, gameplay fun and artistic flair in Anvil of Dawn. Demons, demons, demons; no trolls, black knights, fire-snorting dragons or damsels in distress here! Weapons and armor are traditional. Magic is unique but useful and easy to use. Sound and music are good. Voice acting and dialog are fair, but suffice. Art is luscious but in a dated/retro painterly way. Art in this game is different than any other, to be sure. Also, the 3D overland travel and world-animations are visually fascinating. One drawback: There are many rolling boulder puzzles. Some are there as moving obstacles. Others press floor plate buttons opening and closing doors, etc. Problem is that there's a known bug that can occur when you turn quickly while watching a boulder roll by. This action can suddenly change the boulder's course (that's the bug) which, in turn, may cause it to block passage, or to screw up a button/door sequence, trapping the PC. Boulders can't be destroyed but sometimes a boulder can be "pushed". However, this will physically damage the PC. Best way around it: if you see a boulder area, SAVE. Great game. Addicting. Weird. Fun dungeons. And it has an unforgettable ending. (No spoilers!)
