Back to the Future

[ThunderPeel2001]

So I finished Episode 2. As everyone already pointed out: This is the shortest episode I think I've ever played of a TellTale Game. Noticeably shorter than anything else I've played of theirs. It wasn't bad, though.

As far as the story goes, I don't think anyone can pretend that it makes a jot of sense... it's gotten SO convoluted now, with all kinds of weird, inconsistent rules. (Why would George McFly's face start to be erased from the Polaroid? That would leave an empty Polaroid photo... who would take a photo of nothing? The entire photo should have disappeared. Doc says things like, "I can remember going to the cinema", as if that's proof that history doesn't change, but as Ben pointed out: The people who change time don't recall the changes. And the ending:

What happened? Was Doc immediately erased from existence? Why? He didn't die, and apparently the only past events that effect a time traveller is if they aren't born (Marty didn't have any change in his personality despite his parents having totally different personalities themselves, etc.). And if things did change for Doc, then who invented the time machine?

I'm pretty sure even the die-hardest BTTF fan has found problems with all this leaping around by now.

The only time I used a hint was for the final puzzle, which was bizarrely timed. Even when I knew the solution, it wouldn't worked for me. I just had to keep trying over and over until it clicked.

As for bugs, I witnessed several. If you're standing where you can see the cinema in the distance (the far distance, near the Speak Easy) and a car goes past, the whole game grinds to a graphically corrupted halt. Subtitles kept coming on and going off during Trixie's singing (I play with them off). And, strangely, I ended up with the gun in my inventory at the end... How did that happen?

In all, I still enjoyed it, though. Looking forward to part three.

[Kolzig]

So I finished Episode 2. As everyone already pointed out: This is the shortest episode I think I've ever played of a TellTale Game. Noticeably shorter than anything else I've played of theirs. It wasn't bad, though.

As far as the story goes, I don't think anyone can pretend that it makes a jot of sense... it's gotten SO convoluted now, with all kinds of weird, inconsistent rules. (Why would George McFly's face start to be erased from the Polaroid? That would leave an empty Polaroid photo... who would take a photo of nothing? The entire photo should have disappeared. Doc says things like, "I can remember going to the cinema", as if that's proof that history doesn't change, but as Ben pointed out: The people who change time don't recall the changes. And the ending:

What happened? Was Doc immediately erased from existence? Why? He didn't die, and apparently the only past events that effect a time traveller is if they aren't born (Marty didn't have any change in his personality despite his parents having totally different personalities themselves, etc.). And if things did change for Doc, then who invented the time machine?

I'm pretty sure even the die-hardest BTTF fan has found problems with all this leaping around by now.

The only time I used a hint was for the final puzzle, which was bizarrely timed. Even when I knew the solution, it wouldn't worked for me. I just had to keep trying over and over until it clicked.

As for bugs, I witnessed several. If you're standing where you can see the cinema in the distance (the far distance, near the Speak Easy) and a car goes past, the whole game grinds to a graphically corrupted halt. Subtitles kept coming on and going off during Trixie's singing (I play with them off). And, strangely, I ended up with the gun in my inventory at the end... How did that happen?

In all, I still enjoyed it, though. Looking forward to part three.

They are referencing the movies in many points, like the Polaroid is the same kind of incident that happened in the first movie when Marty has the picture of himself, his brother and sister. They all start to disappear bit by bit because George hasn't kissed Lorraine and so the relationship hasn't gone deeper. Also there the empty Polaroid existed and would've propably then disappeared in the end after the persons were erased. It's just a plot device to show the viewer that "oh no, he is going to disappear too soon!"

Doc's disappearance is a weird bit, since if they go by the movies rules, then in the second part in the Biff's corrupted future Doc also didn't invent the time machine, he went to insane asylum and with game's rules should've "disappeared" also.

But really looks like the third part will be a totally different adventure, will be interesting to see how they move the story forwards and what will be the next problem our fearless heroes mess up.

[Kolzig]

Noticed this discussion at the Telltale forums. Interesting that different art was used in the iPad version?

http://www.telltalegames.com/forums/showthread.php?t=22934

It does look better than the PC/Mac version's picture of George.

[ThunderPeel2001]

They are referencing the movies in many points, like the Polaroid is the same kind of incident that happened in the first movie when Marty has the picture of himself, his brother and sister. They all start to disappear bit by bit because George hasn't kissed Lorraine and so the relationship hasn't gone deeper. Also there the empty Polaroid existed and would've propably then disappeared in the end after the persons were erased. It's just a plot device to show the viewer that "oh no, he is going to disappear too soon!".

I know the first film very well, but as I remember it, it went from three people, to two people -- which made sense -- to fading entirely... but I may be remembering it wrong. I guess you're right though, it doesn't even make that much sense in the movie.

[lobotomy42]

Just finished this. It was an ok episode, but, wow, what a great teaser for Episode 3. Really excited for this, and I'm also starting to see the overall plot structure being set up for the series, which is cool.

[Nappi]

Finished the second episode as well. It was very :tmeh:ish. Perhaps still better than the first one. God, I wish I would never have to see the disorienting block surrounding the town square again.

The twist in episode 3 does indeed seem very promising. The "laws" of time traveling in Back to the Future series felt very incoherent from the get-go so I decided not to bother trying to make sense of them. Works just fine that way.

[ThunderPeel2001]

God, I wish I would never have to see the disorienting block surrounding the town square again.

I'd like to announce that I've been to the actual square in real life. Actually walked around it and everything. Yes, my head nearly exploded. (It's noticeably smaller than it looks in the movies... about the size it is in the game, I think.)

[tabacco]

I'd like to announce that I've been to the actual square in real life. Actually walked around it and everything. Yes, my head nearly exploded. (It's noticeably smaller than it looks in the movies... about the size it is in the game, I think.)

Much of that section of backlot actually burned down a couple of years ago, so it's probably a bit different than you remember now

[ThunderPeel2001]

Much of that section of backlot actually burned down a couple of years ago, so it's probably a bit different than you remember now

Nope. That part of the backlot has been rebuilt as it was... (as confirmed by the two people who were showing me around). It was only last year that I was there. (I'm very lucky indeed -- it was also a bit naughty. If security had caught us we would have been escorted off the lot.)

[pabosher]

I hate to sound like a cheapo douchebag, but the first free episode isn't working for me. I'm sad now.

[ThunderPeel2001]

I hate to sound like a cheapo douchebag, but the first free episode isn't working for me. I'm sad now.

What's the problem you're having?

[vimes]

I kind of vowed not to be negative here, but the new camera setup for the town hall area really pissed me off : the change of angles are utterly confusing, getting in and out of a screen is sometimes painful (e.g. in front of the theater), for some reason there's a huge invisible wall on the street, the over-the-shoulder camera uses a weird referential to analyse inputs, and from angle to angle, Marty gets teleported for no reason, breaking the sense of space and distance.

I found the first episode very unengaging, but this one highlights even more the terrible lack of polish of this series so far : not only are there bugs and glitches but the puzzle designs are not well thought through . For instance, the only way to help Edna in the final showdown made NO sense : changing cover or making Biff fire at the bottle doesn't buy her any time, but popping out of only the first cover does? and one puzzle between the lengthy cinematic of emptying the bar and the one starting the final showdown was to autosolve a puzzle by having Einstein smell yet again an item... I really like the idea of this feature, but it's way overused.

The cinematics and animation got a bit better (parker was the highlight), but like the first episode, the quality s still all over the place (awkward pose, linear blending of orientation, bad timing in dialogs)

... but yeah, elmuerte is right, the third episode seems to have balls in terms of storytelling, so there's still some room for awesomeness.

[Kolzig]

Rumour is that Citizen Brown will be released next week's Wednesday.

[elmuerte]

Rumour is that it was officially anaounced by TTG that it would be released next week.

[Kolzig]

Was in the newsletter? I don't get that for some reason these days.

Usually I receive it a few weeks later, which is really strange to me.

Well, yeah now I did a google search and now it's all over the net reported.

[Kolzig]

Was released today about ten hours ago I guess.

I played it for a bit before I eventually left for work.

Didn't see any sloppy mistakes this time, maybe QA has tightened up as the season progresses.

I just have to say I don't remember Claudia Wells that well from the first movie, but she is doing a fine job here!

[Nappi]

I have only played 5 minutes of the third episode so far. Just wanted to say that envy Marty's unending sense of wonder regarding time travel. Everybody else would probably have gotten used to things being different each time you pop back to "your time" by now. At the very least, they wouldn't be saying things like "Your hair is different!" out loud in surprise.

[elmuerte]

I have only played 5 minutes of the third episode so far. Just wanted to say that envy Marty's unending sense of wonder regarding time travel. Everybody else would probably have gotten used to things being different each time you pop back to "your time" by now. At the very least, they wouldn't be saying things like "Your hair is different!" out loud in surprise.

Marty's hair was different?

[Nappi]

yes

[mikemariano]

I have only played 5 minutes of the third episode so far. Just wanted to say that envy Marty's unending sense of wonder regarding time travel. Everybody else would probably have gotten used to things being different each time you pop back to "your time" by now. At the very least, they wouldn't be saying things like "Your hair is different!" out loud in surprise.

That is my favorite part of Marty McFly. He has no inner monologue and announces every observation. ("He's a Peeping Tom!" "The Cavalry!")

This kind of makes him the perfect adventure game protagonist.

[Ben X]

Claudia Wells is playing Jennifer?! Brillo, she was always my preferred Jennifer. Nice to see/hear her acting again.

[Nappi]

Yeah, there was even a horrible behind the scenes video about that.

[ThunderPeel2001]

Gee. It's hard not to say something cynical. Um. She was my favourite Jennifer, too, but I just hope she sounds younger in the game.

[lobotomy42]

That is my favorite part of Marty McFly. He has no inner monologue and announces every observation. ("He's a Peeping Tom!" "The Cavalry!")

This kind of makes him the perfect adventure game protagonist.

:tup:

[Ben X]

Ha, that could be a drinking game:

"You're George McFly!"

"That's right, he's going to be mayor!"