Back to the Future redefines how video game adaptations and tie in's should be done.
Video Games are known for making bad adaptations to big budget and named blockbusters. Avatar is a prime example. Back to the Future goes one step further than perhaps almost any other game adaptation does and it takes the source material, shows it respect, then crafts a brand new adventure from it. In short, this game is not a cash in on an established series, but attempts to be a successor. It succedes.
Back to the Future, the movie trilogy, stars Micheal Jay Fox and Christopher Lloyd as Marty, the stereotype of what was "cool" for an 80's kid, and Doc Brown, an old crazy scientist who invents a time machine and they constantly have to solve time parodoxes they inadvertently create. The game picks up six months later where the movie ends, and does a series of constant throw backs and homages to the work. However the story they weave in this game is original, and can allow even non gamers to invest in playing their way through five episodes.
The comedy is much in the same style of the old movies, and there is a high level of cartoonishness to the game. The cartoonish nature is both a positive and negative factor. As a positive, it allows for crazy moments and good puzzles, such as a guitar duel. It works as a negative simply when you try to see it as a sequal to the movie triology and then are shocked by characters doing something that would befit a sunday cartoon.
As a point in click, the gamer plays as Marty. The controls are very similar to other Tell Tale Games, the left stick moves Marty. the X button selects objects, square brings up your inventory, and conversations are a selections of topics. The right stick toggles selectable items and the R2 button shows all selectable items available on the screen. So expect nothing new from the gameplay department if you are returning from a different Tell Tale Game. Also, unlike other Tell Tale Games, the comedy is not so much the focal point, where as in Sam and Max and SBCG4AP, every selectable item was a joke waiting to be told.
The game is comprised of five episodes and each episode is short on time, giving about two hours of play through each one. more if you are stuck, less if you know what you are doing. The good is as a whole, the game is a definitive experiance and each episode provides enough adventure that you feel good after beating it. The bad is simply that you may linger for more or question the value of price.
The puzzles are easy, and this is also a pro and con. The easy puzzles allow people who have little point and click experiance to enjoy the game, however there are times when the game just seems to treat the player like an idiot by walking them through some of the puzzles. Despite the "easy" factor, there are some points where you will really have to think out of the box to solve a puzzle and may find yourself giving up, but these can be rare. The boss puzzles; the final puzzles in each episode, tend to be harder and complex to the point that when solved, leaves a good accomplished feeling.
As for each episode, we receive a great colorful cast of characters that really put us in HillValley in the different time frames. Each character has a purpose and the voice acting is beyond top notch. There are voice cameos galore, and perhaps the most notable will be in the final episode. Everyone for the most part sounds and looks like the character they are based off of. The major difference is Christopher Lloyd who just doesn't sound the same. This factor can be highly overlooked because A. Its Christopher Lloyd reprising one of his most memorable roles for Five Episodes, and B. Just cause he sounds different does not deminish the quality of the vocal portrayel. The character of Doc Brown is just as prevailant in the video game as he was in the movie.
There is also tons of character chemistry, which is kind of rare in a videogame. As stated, the characters all have a purpose in Hill Valley, they also have plot purpose but there is a clear web of how each feels about the other and its beleivable. Young Emmit and Edna are adorable together. Trixie may be out of Artie's league, but its fun seeing what they would do for each other.
The main chemistry that makes the game work is the relationship betwen Emmit Brown and Marty. The story as a whole is about their freindship and relationship. The strongest scene between Young Emmit and Marty is when Emmit goes out of his way to help Marty escape from some goons, all the while forshadowing the freindship that will form when Emmit becomes an adult and is destine to befreind Marty again. I would even say their chemistry in the game is stronger than in the movies.
The problem with the story can simply be that for five adventures, ther storyline, with all its acts and plot twists, the game does not really let us jump to the future, just the past and present (With multiple versions of the present due to the constant changes in the past). This can lead to a yearning to break free from 1930's Hill Valley in terms of variety. Also due to its time travel nature, parodoxes and plot holes may exist.
Fortunately the story and writing is still top notch. The story has a clear act structure going beyond just the episode structure and there are plenty of nostalgic and magical moments. Goosebumps are had when the theme music plays the first few notes, giving away to the audiance that something strange is in the works. You can feel like a child hearing the heroic "all is going to be well" music when the villian is about to be defeated and a montage of everything working out is shown. Also, these events happen more than once so such situations are not spoilers, but rather satisfying temperary conclusions.
What will stop this game being anything more than great is that its a point and click, and not innovative in it's controls. It's also easy and cartoonish in some situations which can take the gamer out of the experiance. But these points are moot overall by the simple fact that this is a great and welcoming experiance. It shows respect and love to its own source material and it shows. You will get an original story featuring new and returning characters, with top notch writing, a little mystery, and plot twists you wont see coming.
Overall Back To The Future the Video Game is what happens when an adaptation is done right, with noble intentions, and where so many elements click together leading to a great video game experiance. It will attract TTG fans, BTTF fans and even just casual game fans. If price to time ratio is not a factor and you are willing to try a point and click, there is no reason not to give this game a whirl.