Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Sam & Max: Season Two – What’s New, Beelzebub? continues the series’ tradition of classic point-and-click puzzle-solving, seamlessly transplanted into a fully 3D environment. Players guide Sam through a series of inventive scenarios, from navigating the bureaucratic mazes of Hell’s corporate offices to bargaining with disgruntled imps in the underworld. The core mechanics—talking to quirky characters, examining clues, and combining inventory items—remain intuitive and accessible, ensuring both series veterans and newcomers can dive right in.

(HEY YOU!! We hope you enjoy! We try not to run ads. So basically, this is a very expensive hobby running this site. Please consider joining us for updates, forums, and more. Network w/ us to make some cash or friends while retro gaming, and you can win some free retro games for posting. Okay, carry on 👍)

The mouse-driven interface places all essential interactions at your fingertips: left-click to move, right-click to examine, and context-sensitive cursors to signal when you can pick up or use an item. The inventory, represented as a charmingly hand-drawn cardboard box along the bottom of the screen, provides quick access to collected tools and oddities. Puzzles range from delightfully logical to deliciously absurd, balancing challenge with Sam & Max’s trademark humor.

Voice acting and sound design play pivotal roles in keeping the gameplay loop engaging. Sam’s dry wit and Max’s manic outbursts are brought to life by talented actors who maintain the high standard set by previous titles. Ambient audio—from infernal machinery humming in the background to the panicked squeaks of Hell’s residents—further immerses you in this delightfully twisted rendition of the afterlife.

Graphics

Visually, What’s New, Beelzebub? marks a confident step forward with its fully 3D environments. While some backdrops may lean toward simplicity, the artistic style is consistently expressive and characterful. Hell’s corporate tower, for instance, is rendered with bold, angular lines and a palette of fire-tinted hues that evoke both dread and humor. This stylization keeps the world visually cohesive and complements the game’s comedic tone.

Character animations are fluid and exaggerated in all the right ways. Sam’s stiff, detective-like posture contrasts wonderfully with Max’s frenetic hops and flips, emphasizing their personality differences. Cutscenes are peppered with dynamic camera angles and snappy edits, ensuring that narrative beats land with maximum comedic effect without dragging down the pacing.

Technical performance is generally stable on modern hardware, though you may encounter occasional frame-rate dips in more elaborate Hell-scape set pieces. Loading times remain reasonable, and the user interface scales well on larger monitors. Overall, the graphical presentation strikes a fine balance between functional clarity and stylized flair, preserving the series’ cartoon roots while leveraging 3D depth to enhance immersion.

Story

The narrative premise of What’s New, Beelzebub? picks up just after an audacious escape from a time-traveling spaceship. Our favorite Freelance Police duo must now retrieve the soul of their friend Bosco, lost somewhere in the corporate labyrinths of Hell. This final chapter in Season Two weaves together previous plot threads, delivering closure while introducing fresh twists that keep the mystery unpredictable.

Dialogue is a standout feature, brimming with pop-culture references, sarcastic quips, and off-beat humor that fans have come to expect. Sam often plays the straight man to Max’s chaotic energy, and the interplay between their voices drives much of the story’s comedic momentum. Secondary characters—from snarky demons to overworked hell-librarians—each contribute memorable one-liners and side plots that enrich the main narrative.

Pacing is handled skillfully: moments of frantic puzzle-solving alternate with leisurely exploration of Hell’s bureaucracy, preventing fatigue and sustaining interest. Climactic encounters, including a showdown with Beelzebub’s corporate underlings, deliver satisfying narrative payoffs. Whether you’re invested in the overarching lore or just here for the laughs, the story offers a compelling blend of intrigue and absurdity.

Overall Experience

As the fifth and final installment of Season Two, What’s New, Beelzebub? offers a fitting grand finale that balances nostalgia with new surprises. Longtime players will appreciate callbacks to earlier episodes, while newcomers can still enjoy the standalone hijinks of Sam & Max’s latest infernal escapade. The game’s runtime—roughly four to six hours depending on your puzzle prowess—delivers a concise yet satisfying adventure.

Replay value remains strong thanks to hidden Easter eggs, unlockable concept art, and the sheer joy of revisiting the witty dialogue. For fans of classic adventure games, the blend of challenging puzzles and comedic storytelling will feel like a warm slice of cherry pie—albeit one baked in the fiery ovens of Hell.

In conclusion, What’s New, Beelzebub? stands as a worthy capstone to Sam & Max’s Season Two, delivering polished gameplay, delightful visuals, and a story that packs equal measures of humor and heart. If you’ve been waiting to rejoin these riotous detectives on their most outlandish case yet, this game is an essential addition to your collection.

Retro Replay Score

8.2/10