After Back to the Future Part III came out, I always thought that was the end for the movie series. Doc had a family, and Marty had a future; but I always wanted to know what came next. Did Doc go on to have more hijinks? Was the Delorean destroyed for good? What happens to those random kids and Clara? Well, sci-fi fans and children of the ‘80s can fret no more, because Telltale Games has released Back to the Future: The Game, the only Back to the Future game to not suck, in my humble opinion.
BTTF is a point-and-click adventure game – a genre that is Telltale's forte. In-game, you use the mouse to point at people and things in order to tell your characters what to do. The tried-and-true method is absolutely perfect for a story like this, because the stories of BTTF are all about interactions with people, and that's exactly what these games are about. Telltale’s games tend to be released in episodic format, and this game is no exception. Part one, “It’s About Time,” was released on December 22nd last year, and 4 more episodes will be released in the months to come.
The story thus far focuses on Marty dealing with Doc’s lengthy and untimely disappearance. This is an all-new story with all-new characters and situations. The plot is surprisingly good, and takes place primarily in the year 1931, at the height of the Great Depression, in the fictional town of Hill Valley, California. The game is filled with many of the BTTF cliches we've all come to know and love (i.e., a Tannen falls into manure, there’s a chase scene around the town square). Those old staples serve as welcome reminders that we are in familiar territory. In addition to some familiar scenes, this game also features one of the more creative escape scenes I've seen.
The voice acting is another high point for the game. Although Michael J. Fox originated the role of Marty McFly, he does not voice Marty in this game. However, the new guy, AJ LoCascio, just nails it, and it is pretty hard to distinguish him from Fox’s voice. But, there is one blast from the past - Christopher Lloyd was recruited to reprise his role of Emmet “Doc” Brown, and good times ensue. It would be hard to think of anyone else voicing Doc, and it's great to hear Chris back in his element, and the writers give him (and the rest of the cast) plenty of great dialogue to say.
The art style is also commendable. There manages to be a good mix between style and realism. All of the characters we know and love are still there, and are easily recognizable as such. However, it seems that some of the designs would work better in 2D than 3D. Even so, the style works, and doesn’t make things too cartoony. The detail of the universe is also top-notch. Every single aspect of the Delorean has been faithfully recreated, right down to the time circuits and Mr. Fusion. Hill Valley, California (BTTF’s setting) has also been recreated. Like in every movie, the town changes along with the times, and this game is no exception. This time, we travel back to the 1920s, and while the town is totally different visually, you don’t really feel like you’ve really been transported to a different era.
Not everything is absolutely perfect. One gripe I had about the game was its length. It’s short, even when you consider that it’s just one part of a much bigger game. I wish that it had lasted longer, but on the other hand, there are 4 more parts to come, so I feel a bit better. Another small gripe I have is the difficulty of the puzzles. Many of the puzzles take little effort to complete, and while I have no gripes with a small challenge, some puzzles are laughably easy.
Over time, Back to the Future has had its name slapped on more than a few games, and every one was subpar. But Telltale has got a real winner on its hands. Not only are the game mechanics top-notch, but it's a full-scale Back to the Future production, and uses the license well, creating an experience that may as well be the 4th film.
Thomas Fogel, Posted 1/21/2011
For more information on Back To The Future: The Game visit: www.telltalegames.com
