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"[GAME] Back To The Future Episode 1"

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This thread has been linked to the game 'Back to the Future: The Game'.
Thu 16/02/12 at 10:33
Moderator
"possibly impossible"
Posts: 24,985
Back to the Past
It's probably unlikely that a sequel will ever be made for the Back To The Future films, but thanks to Telltale's new game based on the series we can get a glimpse of what it might have looked like.

Back To The Future Episode 1: 'It's About Time' is the first in an episodic continuation of the series, which begins with Doc Brown's disappearance and the subsequent efforts of Marty's father to sell off the contents of his house. However, it's worth noting that before this you get a really quite special flashback that really helps to set the scene. It's an odd starting point, and yet it works so well to ground the new story in their universe.

Back To The Point

What follows is, in its basic sense, a point and click adventure which, at times, is more interactive movie than adventure game. However, leaving it at that would be a dis-service to the game. First and foremost, BTTF Episode 1 is bolstered by an interesting story with good voice acting (Christopher Lloyd reprising his role as Doc and AJ LoCascio doing a great job as Marty) and great graphics which capture the essence of the original films.

Back to the Controller
Despite being a point and click game (where every item is interacted with by pressing on certain areas of the screen with the cursor), there are some interesting control decisions in this game. Moving Marty is achieved via the analogue stick rather than pointing in the direction he needs to go.

At first it seems a bit clumsy and feels awkward, but I put that down to years of being used to the Lucasarts style movement in these games. After a while it seems to give the game a little more freedom by making it feel a little less scripted and, of course, fits the Playstation controller a lot better than a mouse.

Back To The Story

That said, this is definitely a game where the narrative drives the action. The player won't get very far by choosing the wrong option here and progress is often made by experimenting with using one item on another or on a person. Most of the time these are logical to deduce, but occasionally there will be some head scratching involved.

In a game like this, driven by the narrative, the story really has to be up to scratch. Well, I'm pleased to say that Telltale have done a great job with scripting and pacing in this game. It really makes all the difference and players will be trying to solve the puzzles just to get to the next bit of story and find out what happens.

This is an episodic game, though, and there comes a time when the story ends and, yes, once it ends you'll be dying to get your hands on the next part.

Back Issues
There are occasions when the dialogue gets missed or the action jumps a little, but these are few and don't get in the way of what is otherwise a great game.

One could argue that this is too much an interactive movie and less a game, but Telltale have done enough to make the game part worth playing and fans won't mind too much as long as the story is good and there are some decent challenges (there are).

Back to the Summary
Back To the Future is a sacred franchise to many fans, Telltale have done well to stay true to the world of Doc and Marty without too much in the way of deviation.

Back To the Future Episode 1 produces a great story and some fun puzzles to solve. The fact that this game came free with PSN + is just a bonus. Part 2 is next up on my list and I can't wait to play it.

8/10
There have been no replies to this thread yet.
Thu 16/02/12 at 10:33
Moderator
"possibly impossible"
Posts: 24,985
Back to the Past
It's probably unlikely that a sequel will ever be made for the Back To The Future films, but thanks to Telltale's new game based on the series we can get a glimpse of what it might have looked like.

Back To The Future Episode 1: 'It's About Time' is the first in an episodic continuation of the series, which begins with Doc Brown's disappearance and the subsequent efforts of Marty's father to sell off the contents of his house. However, it's worth noting that before this you get a really quite special flashback that really helps to set the scene. It's an odd starting point, and yet it works so well to ground the new story in their universe.

Back To The Point

What follows is, in its basic sense, a point and click adventure which, at times, is more interactive movie than adventure game. However, leaving it at that would be a dis-service to the game. First and foremost, BTTF Episode 1 is bolstered by an interesting story with good voice acting (Christopher Lloyd reprising his role as Doc and AJ LoCascio doing a great job as Marty) and great graphics which capture the essence of the original films.

Back to the Controller
Despite being a point and click game (where every item is interacted with by pressing on certain areas of the screen with the cursor), there are some interesting control decisions in this game. Moving Marty is achieved via the analogue stick rather than pointing in the direction he needs to go.

At first it seems a bit clumsy and feels awkward, but I put that down to years of being used to the Lucasarts style movement in these games. After a while it seems to give the game a little more freedom by making it feel a little less scripted and, of course, fits the Playstation controller a lot better than a mouse.

Back To The Story

That said, this is definitely a game where the narrative drives the action. The player won't get very far by choosing the wrong option here and progress is often made by experimenting with using one item on another or on a person. Most of the time these are logical to deduce, but occasionally there will be some head scratching involved.

In a game like this, driven by the narrative, the story really has to be up to scratch. Well, I'm pleased to say that Telltale have done a great job with scripting and pacing in this game. It really makes all the difference and players will be trying to solve the puzzles just to get to the next bit of story and find out what happens.

This is an episodic game, though, and there comes a time when the story ends and, yes, once it ends you'll be dying to get your hands on the next part.

Back Issues
There are occasions when the dialogue gets missed or the action jumps a little, but these are few and don't get in the way of what is otherwise a great game.

One could argue that this is too much an interactive movie and less a game, but Telltale have done enough to make the game part worth playing and fans won't mind too much as long as the story is good and there are some decent challenges (there are).

Back to the Summary
Back To the Future is a sacred franchise to many fans, Telltale have done well to stay true to the world of Doc and Marty without too much in the way of deviation.

Back To the Future Episode 1 produces a great story and some fun puzzles to solve. The fact that this game came free with PSN + is just a bonus. Part 2 is next up on my list and I can't wait to play it.

8/10

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