Continuing both the success and the plot of Sam and Max Save the World, Beyond Time and Space has the titular “Freelance” Detectives going on more madcap adventures. Telltale games continue many other aspects of the game too, for better or worse.
Sequels, simply by their nature, find themselves in an awkward situation. Alter too radically and you risk alienating those who liked the initial effort. Remain too similar to the original and there is a perception of rehashing the same game - which is where this game sits. Calling it a sequel may be unfair. Nothing in the name suggests any grand new design. The number 2 does not appear anywhere in the title. So perhaps we should be content with more of the same?
Beyond Time and Space continues with the same point-and-click adventure game interface, where item ‘X’ is used on/at/with item ‘Y’ with hilarious consequences and a way of progressing the plot. For the most part the item combinations make some sort of sense (unlike many games in the genre), but just as with many other point-and-click games it is hard not to revert to using all items in your bottomless pockets with all the other items in your pockets, in turn with everything in the environment. A useful addition has been the configurable hint level, where Max would chime in with a hint like suggesting going to another location or drawing attention to a useful item in the environment after a period of time.
The plot may be confusing to those who have not played the earlier game. Why is there a group of ancient talking home games machines and computers in a local garage? Why is one of the characters going steady with a giant stone head of Abraham Lincoln? Why is Max the president of the United States? Despite these minor problems, it's still fun. The voice acting is great with lots of funny dialogue. Graphically it has the same flaws as Save the World with its occasional clipping and lip synching issues, but its cartoon style does the job admirably.
In summary, it's a fun game but if would be worth playing the earlier outing if you have not do so already. If you find yourself enjoying that and want more of the same, then you will love Beyond Time and Space. If not, then this is best avoided.
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