Gotta get back in time!
Now, after 25 years, Telltale Games have finally given the fans of the movie and the video-gaming community an official, real-deal BTTF adventure series co-written by Bob Gale himself. How does it measure up? I'll review each episode individually.
Episode 1: It's About Time
Opening a few months after the events of BTTF Part III, with the DeLorean destroyed by a train and Doc living out his life with Clara and boys in many different eras, Marty begins to miss his old friend and is sad to see the city auction off his belongings. But when the time vehicle suddenly reappears (since it's a time machine it can never be completely destroyed forever, I guess) Marty must travel back to 1931 and break Doc out of jail for burning down Kid Tannen's speak-easy.
As a graphic adventure game, and as a BTTF adventure, it's very entertaining and well-written without giving the impression it's put together by sycophantic fanboys. It really does feel like an authentic extension of the BTTF universe and even casual fans of the movies will get a kick out of it.
Episode 2: Get Tannen
After rescuing Doc and Artie McFly from Kid Tannen, Marty travels back to 1986 to find his dad in a wheelchair and that the Tannens are now a local crime family. Obviously something has gone seriously wrong with the timeline so it's back to 1931 to put things right. Hang on, is this BTTF or Quantum Leap?
Once again the early 1930s Hill Valley setting is pretty much the only location to explore. The 1930s setting is getting a bit tired by this point.
Episode 3: Citizen Brown
As he returns from defeating Kid Tannen in 1931, Marty discovers that Hill Valley has been transformed into a sterile, emotionless utopia/dystopia and that the brain behind this new world/town order is Doc, only he's no longer Doc, he's Citizen Brown and he ain't so friendly no more.
Marty then has to wander across town meeting people and putting together the clues as to where the timeline went askew this time. It feels much shorter than the first two games, with most of the action once again limited to the town square and the alley behind the soup kitchen (which was actually an aerobics gym in the first movie I my memory serves me correctly). Also, at this halfway point in the series there is still no truly epic feel.
Episode 4: Double Visions
Marty begins the game locked up in the Hill Valley courthouse, waiting to be re-educated in Edna Strickland's dystopian 1986. After escaping with the alternate Doc they head back to 1931 for what feels like the hundredth time. Fortunately, in this game the action is not centered around the town square and the alley behind the soup kitchen but mostly young Emmett's lab and the Hill Valley High School.
Story-wise, it's nothing too brilliant. It feels more like a stop-gap entry in the series than a complete story on it's own. There haven't been many epic moments in the series so far, but young Emmett swinging by his feet from the clock-tower was a nice touch.
Episode 5: Outatime
With Bad Doc still unsure about betraying Edna Strickland, Marty must help young Emmett complete his real demonstration at the Hill Valley science expo. But after his success the entire town mysteriously vanishes.
The story in this episode is much, much better and really does come together well. There are long character scenes which work perfectly, giving the story some soul, and the climax feels like you're actually taking part in a BTTF adventure.
Michael J. Fox even voices William McFly (who we've seen peeing on Marty) and several older Martys who all appear at once. Overall, it's a satisfying 'conclusion' to a long journey, but I feel there are still plenty more adventures in store for Marty and Doc in the future...or the past...on an alternate present.
In summary then, it's a good, if not great effort. I'm glad that they got Christopher Lloyd to voice Doc, no offense to Dan Castellaneta, but Lloyd is the only way to go for Doc. He's irreplaceable. Even Claudia Wells returns as Jennifer, now matching Elisabeth Shue with 2 appearances each.
The graphics though, are very dated, and the controls...don't get me started. Plus there are numerous other glitches that should have been fixed before the game was published. I've seen mid-90s CD-ROMS look and play better than this. Maneuvering Marty around Hill Valley is a nightmare. It may work fine with a mouse but with a PS3 controller it's like peeling an orange while wearing boxing gloves. The graphics and controls threaten to spoil the game, but fans will be so engrossed in FINALLY being able to take part in a real BTTF adventure that it won't matter.
The entire package features 60 trophies (including a Platinum NOT available with the PSN version).
Graphics D
Sound B
Gameplay C+
Lasting Appeal C