Touch anywhere to get a thumbstick controller.
Think of your favorite comedy TV show. Instead of watching its episodes, would you want to play them, controlling the main characters as they get into--and out of--trouble? We would, and Sam & Max Episode 1: The Penal Zone for iPad does just that. Its excellent writing matches the timing and wit of the best TV, while the interactivity draws you into the adventure. You'll pick dialogue choices, use objects in scenes, and laugh the whole way through.
Gamers and comic fans might be familiar with the title characters; Sam and Max have rightly earned a following over their decades of life. Creator Steve Purcell and Telltale Games relaunched the duo's game careers in 2006 as stories broken into serial chapters. The Penal Zone kicks off the third serial adventure; Telltale calls them “seasons” with the same arc as TV shows. Instead of checking in each week, you should be able to buy future episodes about every month.
Pick a topic to talk to the locals.
Even though this is the third season, The Penal Zone includes just enough exposition and instruction to welcome new gamers. You'll push Sam and Max around with an on-screen thumbstick, and tap to interact with objects. Like most adventure games, you'll have to run errands, combine items in strange ways, and avoid obstacles to advance the story. We had to think hard a few times, but the moderate difficulty matches the game's quick wit for the best. Well-acted voices and great lines fit the animated characters, while sight gags and other humor regularly returns.
Unfortunately, bugs are the game's other regular experience. While the chortles kept us chugging through, several different kinds of sound glitches kept repeating. The visuals occasionally froze, and other, isolated bugs appeared once in a while. A Telltale representative said that an upcoming patch would fix these problems.
Sam & Max Episode 1: The Penal Zone for iPad balances great humor and an entertaining adventure. Regular game bugs mar its launch, but the game is good enough to look past those frequent problems.
Quick-witted writing entertains throughout. Interactive adventure draws you into the story. 
Many bugs and glitches detract from the fun. Sometimes the game feels like it’s pulling you instead of you leading the story.
