Back To The Future Episode 1 is out!

[Barricus]

Just downloaded the first episode of Telltales new "Back To The Future" game.  I've loved the stuff they've put out in the past and back to the future has literally shaped the way I live my life, in the way religion does for some people (I've dedicated my life to being as awesome as Doc Brown).  Hopefully this union will be exponentially badass.

[Snake]

I have to wait until February :'(

[Czar]

Hah I was hoping for a link
Why until february?

[TerranRich]

Free downloads have to wait until February. If you want it now, you have to pay $25 up front for the entire series of games. 

[Czar]

whoever has it better post some gameplay videos on youtube, ye-yeah!

[m0ds]

February will be a good month, it looks great, I'm happy to wait

[Wersus]

I'm not a big Back To The Future fan, but I've seen the movies. I thought the game was fine. The controls are very similar to the new Sam & Max games, but I think these are a bit more confusing. I had trouble keeping track of how exactly I'm moving when the view changed. I expect it's better with a pad. The game itself was fun, but not much of a challenge. It has quite high production values, but I think you have to be a true fan to get the most out of it. However I like it that Telltale adds new ideas to their adventure games and break the mold a bit with some subtle changes.

For me it was worth the money and the time, but it isn't really a game that I'll be remembering in a few years or so. All in all, I'll be waiting for the next episode with positive expectations.

[Shane 'ProgZmax' Stevens]

I think it's a good step forward for Telltale visually and an entertaining game, but as a fan you definitely have to set aside high expectations or you will most likely be disappointed.  It's a rather simple adventure game with a decent finale sequence and very intuitive puzzles for the most part.  I only found myself stumped for a few minutes at most and needed none of the hints or whatever so I would say it's probably too easy for a seasoned adventure player but just challenging enough for a casual one.  Still, most of the fans probably want the game for the experience more than the puzzles, and I admit at a few points it hints at moments from the film in terms of creativity.  

I thought the faux-back to the future music was passable and the included theme from the movie does a good job of sucking you back into the series, though the ambient music is basically just watered down variations on the main theme rather than including elements from other parts of the movie score.


And of course it was great to hear christopher lloyd ham it up again.  A.J. clearly has some trouble copying Michael J. Fox when he's not yelling, but after awhile I got used to him and I think he does a fine job overall, and obviously the likeness to Fox in the model design helps this along.  The other voices are all pretty standard and don't take away anything from the game including the voice of George McFly, who at some points sounds reasonably similar to Crispin Glover and at least doesn't completely destroy the illusion (the likeness of the model helps here as well).  I would say the worst part of the game by far is that Kid whatever fellow Telltale keeps re-using for voices.  His Biff Tannen impersonation is the worst I've ever heard and it seems clear from the 'Kid Tannen' model that they did not get Tom Wilson's permission for a direct likeness.  Normally I'd say no big deal, but as Biff is such a central character in the series and CLEARLY made a prominent character in the game from the start, it's really offputting to have his voice actor do such a monumentally poor job at the role.  I'd go so far as to say I could do a better Biff and I'm lousy at it.  He's just totally unconvincing, and this is from a guy who just re-watched the back to the future films and a recent stand-up performance from Tom Wilson.  Seriously, the voice actor's bad.

Visually it's by far the strongest Telltale title yet, with more visual settings available in the options than they've offered before.  My only beef is with the character's hands; they look stubby and are clearly of a much lower texture and polygon detail than the bodies, making them look jaggy and messy even with full antialiasing @ 1600x1200.  I imagine they look much poorer at lower resolutions, but Marty's hands especially stood out to me as needing more polys and a better texture.  The main gaming world itself is a fairly convincing (if extremely sterile looking) town square from the movies, with some detailing here and there but nothing exceptional.  You'll be staring at mostly clean textures and basic architecture as with the Sam and Max games.  This is one of the points where I think they could've expended more effort to bring the world to life.  Occasionally you'll see a car drive by but there aren't really any pedestrians walking around that aren't key to some puzzle and the whole town feels empty and a bit dead.

Overall, I'd give it a 6-7/10, leaning towards a 6 because the first episode should really shine and show off the potential of the series, which right now I feel is a bit lacking.  Again, the voices overall are good aside from Biff which really took me by surprise as Tom Wilson does A LOT of voice over work and seemed like a natural for this part, though it seems some miscommunication during production occurred as Tom Wilson has said he was not contacted for the role but Telltale insists they contacted his agent and tried other means to reach him.  The world could use a lot more life as it just feels like an empty set of rooms that connect puzzles and the unlicensed music could be stronger, but it's still a fair, if easy, game.  

I think the most important thing is that so far it doesn't do anything that would damage the memory of the originals.

[Anian]

Hmm, sounds a bit like the game was rushed for the holiday season, at least the first episode, because other episodes are coming in 2 months and then the rest every month...on the other hand I'd like to know how TT actually produces their games in general.
Guess I'll see the 1st episode when the 2nd comes. Personally I'd don't like the system (although I guess it is more accesible) and like to play games in one go.

[Barricus]

I think the finale made up for it's short comings.

Spoiler

Rocket powered bike chasing a 30's paddy wagon being driven by a Zoot suit wearing gangster

[close]

I really felt like they managed to make something both "Back To The Future" and "Telltale" simultaneously.  Even with that, it felt like Doc and Marty were the same Doc and Marty from the movies and that's how I judge adaptations.  Plus, there were some pretty funny easter eggs hidden around 1936 Hill Valley.  I'm once again disappointed that the next installment isn't out yet, something that always happens to me when I play Telltale's Episodic games.  I'm going to say, if you love the movies and the character, get the game.  Stepping into their shoes and learning more about Hill Valley, Marty, and Doc is a blast.  If you're looking for originality, you're not going to find it here.  It's supposed to be kind of predictable, it's one of the themes of the series, how history seems to repeat itself over and over again, but just because it's not new, doesn't mean it's not fun!

[TerranRich]

OK, so I'm one of those free subscribers, but I got an email a few hours ago with a download link and a link to get my serial number. It appears those who were going to have to wait until February, can download it now!

Can't wait to play it later!

[Wersus]

Personally I'd don't like the system (although I guess it is more accesible) and like to play games in one go.

I have to agree. I like big stories and having 5 episodes that need to work alone too, just waters down the big picture. The episodes are okay as snacks, but I doubt any episodic game will ever make it to my top 10 games of all time.

Btw, I think the episode system is also caused by funding, as releasing a game in 5 pieces means you don't have to work on a game for a year or two with zero income. Understandable, but still kinda sucks.

[Barricus]

Personally I'd don't like the system (although I guess it is more accesible) and like to play games in one go.

I have to agree. I like big stories and having 5 episodes that need to work alone too, just waters down the big picture. The episodes are okay as snacks, but I doubt any episodic game will ever make it to my top 10 games of all time.

Btw, I think the episode system is also caused by funding, as releasing a game in 5 pieces means you don't have to work on a game for a year or two with zero income. Understandable, but still kinda sucks.

They're really pushing the cliffhanger in the Back To The Future game, though.  It's almost to "Adam West Batman" level cliffhanger.

[Monsieur OUXX]

I agree with everything that has been said, especially with the details ProgZmax gave : the game is visually great

- but there's a little something that annoyed me and hasn't been mentionned : the walkable areas and camera angles were not very good. For example, in Hill Valley's city center, you can sometimes cross the road outside of the pedestrians' lane, and sometimes not - you're stuck on the sidewalk. Or when you have to remember how to go back to the other block because you didn't memorize what corner of the city center allows you to walk out (ther's no hint). Or when you're not allowed to walk to the edges of the scene - just because it's forbidden - but there's not physical obstacle to materialize that arbitrary limit.

Also, it's not realy a critic, but you can tell Telltale clearly aimed at making the game accessible for the casualest possible gamers (hints all over the screen - there's even a help button on the help screen )


Anyway, I want more of this ;-)

Oh, ad of that too :

[markbilly]

I wrote a review on HardyDev for this: http://hardydev.com/2011/01/22/back-to-the-future-its-about-time-review/

[Stupot]

Just thought I'd mention Christopher Lloyd is in the latest episode of Fringe.  That's all. :-)