So this is it, the last episode of season three — episode five. The Devil’s Playhouse drawing to a close. Following up Beyond The Alley of the Dolls, Max is transformed into a giant beast roaming New York City. And it’s up to Sam and friends to restore Max to his original yappy self.
Surprise, surprise, there are no psychic powers to play with this time. Though you will encounter some remnants of them in unexpected ways. As with the other episode titles this season, this one’s based on a film — The City That Never Sleeps.
Sybil Pandemik is back, this time with a new career: motherhood. She’s pregnant with the offspring of the statue of Abraham Lincoln. Mr. Featherly makes a short appearance, as well as the talking computers, together once again.
After being swallowed by giant Max, the gang’s task is to take control. Max’s body looks more like an immaculate home with decor from the 60’s, rather than the insides of a rabbity thing. Each part of the body has its own little area. A kitchen for the stomach, gym for the feet yada yada. You’ll even discover where Max keeps all his inventory items!
Even though Max is now a rampaging monster, Sam is kept company in the form of eerie flaming Max heads that float overhead in most of the game’s areas. Offering the wit of Max when he can’t be himself.
In this concluding episode the mystery is finally solved. The character responsible for plotting the events of the season is named. And even having only played the previous episode I actually guessed correctly!
There was a little sad moment in the middle of the episode there that I don’t think was treated with enough respect. You had to carry on immediately with the fast paced story and comedy. Like in the last two chapters of Tales of Monkey Island I do appreciate it when Telltale go for other emotions and not just the laughing variety.
So puzzle-wise this episode may have been too easy, or maybe just because I’m now an adventure gaming veteran? Each puzzle makes sense in its own bizarre way. You just have to be tuned to the right level of wackiness.
Closing Comments
I have talked a lot about the story and characters here, because that’s what this season has all been about. Standing alone it might not be the best episode ever, but given the context of the season, it fits in rather well. The ending is surprising and leaves an interesting premise for next season, provided Telltale aren’t too busy with Jurassic Park and Back to the Future.
Download The Devil’s Playhouse here.