14 DAY TRIAL // 
Time flies by so quickly. I'm beginning to admit that this episodic game idea was really brilliant - not only that I am able to play something else in-between episodes, but I probably have even more fun following the story and all the crazy things the two furry heroes think of. An I finished the previous episode, The Mole, The Mob and The Meatball, I thought to myself that it would take forever for the nutcase adventure to continue. Yet Abe Lincoln Must Die! comes on the market as expected and I find myself being as thrilled as ever to get my hands on it.
The first three episodes were all about a mysterious mastermind that nobody knows and that is trying, for unknown reasons, to hypnotize as many people as possible. If you recall it, in the end of the previous episode, Chuckles the mobster, gives out the order to proceed to Plan B. Well! Now this will be kind of a big shock for everybody, but Sam and Max get to the White House and ? basically Abe Lincoln Must Die, again!
Story "By the whiskey-soaked beard of Ulysses S. Grant!" They're going to the White House! With the president going all un-American and ordering group hugs at the football matches and everything, there is absolutely something wrong. Of course there is no other option but to send in the coolest detective duo to crack up the case. Obviously, not everybody can enter the White House, or at least you can't enter as long as the super secret agent guarding the entrance is there. I don't get it how, but nobody seems to be aware of the two furry jewels and they always have to use tricks and cheats even if it's a matter of national security.
With the president suffering from an unfortunate accident (while Sam and Max were around) the country is in desperate need of a new bold leader. Well, we're not even over to the first half of the episode. The two courageous detectives get into political affairs. Abraham Lincoln comes back to lead the country under the attentive counsel of secret agent Chuckles. The only problem is that Abe is now a brainless 19 feet high statue with the only human ability to speak. Being one of the most beloved presidents in the history, it's only obvious that he cannot loose but to a strong opponent (or due to a few more aces up the sleeve of the crazy detectives). One thing is for sure - Abe Lincoln must die!
Concept The Soda Poppers got back in the game to the delight of their fans. Yet the former child stars got more fame than ever and also joined the political stage. I wonder if making Peepers a governor has anything to do with the election of actor Arnold Schwarzenegger as governor of California. Oh, well, the situation is hilarious no matter what inspired it. Bosco is once again hiding behind one of his many accents (and it turns out that his conspiracy theory is not so fantastical after all). The lovely and ever changing Sybil gets on a new career path (gosh, not even my Sims haven't changed so many careers as her). Sybil is now in the dating business. Well, you'll have a big surprise on how easy Sybil goes from one love-of-her-life career to another, but I don't want to spoil the shock. The only? let's call it constant character is Jimmy Two Teeth. He's now on a luxurious vacation to the White House pool.
Gameplay The story underneath the mass hypnosis attempts gets a lot deeper. Don't get me wrong, the rabbity thing and the detective dog are still as fun and as acid as ever. It's just that the hilarious aspect has gone into a new level. It now features the kind of fun that you're used to on a Jerry Springer show, where everything is funny only if you relate the events to reality (tons of sarcastic jokes and actions). I guess Telltale is trying to prepare us for the next episode - Reality 2.0.
The puzzles in Sam and Max also begin to be not so intuitive and easy as before. Of course if you already got used to the neighborhood where the Freelance Police has its headquarters it won't be too much of a challenge to notice all the changes and, when the time is right, put two and two together and realize where everything goes. You'll be glad to notice that WARP TV is once again at your disposal to use your tricks "live". I'm sure you'll agree with me that Sam makes a wonderful reporter.
In short, Abe Lincoln Must Die! is not following the exact path of the previous episodes. It preserves however the spiritual humor that assured the success of the series. Max is running in the elections and he's just as a nutcase as ever. Sam is still the understanding, patient and loyal friend, dedicated detective and ultimately savior of humanity. And the DeSoto Chrysler is still the greatest asset the Freelance Police posses.
Video More than half of the action is moved to the White House - one of the symbols in the capital of the United States and one of the other symbols to be found in Washington, the statue of Abraham Lincoln will show up about in the middle of the game. The courtyard of the presidential residence is just as you'd expect it to be - huge, green grass everywhere, a surveyed swimming pool right in front of the entrance and a large podium for quick presidential speeches. Of course the Superball super secret agent at the entrance couldn't miss from the party. As you finally manage to get into the grand building, you'll be able to take a look through the Oval office and enjoy more sarcastic points out towards the real political stage. The most fabled room in the White House is of course the War Room. This is also packed up with funny references and cool stuff such as the War Manual (oh, you'll love it!). The neighborhood is pretty much the same, except for the new strike out on Sybil's business sign and the Rainbow Happiness book stall next to Bosco's. Obviously some of the posters have changed, but the atmosphere is pretty much unchanged. Although the new locations don't exactly knock you off your feet, getting a tour of the White House was really nice and I definitely couldn't complain about any lack of actions in the presidential monument.
Sound You probably already got used to great voice acting and appropriate background music. Not to worry, this is not the day to be disappointed. Abe's voice will really get you in the mood for politics, while the secret service secret dance will blow you off the chair of laughter (please restain yourself from drinking coffee during plying - you may just re-design your screen with fashionably brown spots). The combination of Men in Black suits and shades, Beatles' video and Moulin Rouge musical will definitely prove to be worth it.
Multiplayer Sam and Max? Abe and Chuckles? Max and Sam? Chuckles and Abe? No, no multiplayer mode.
Conclusion With the forth title out, the story behind Season I of Sam and Max gets hotter and hotter. Although the episode doesn't follow on the footsteps of the previous episodes entirely, it is still a captivating short adventure that will assure your good mood for a few days. Despite being short, the episodes featuring the two furry detectives manage to be unforgettable and they truly succeed in keeping you on the edge, curious about what next month will bring. Well, the end of March - early April promises to introduce Reality 2.0. I, for one, am dying to find out what other dazzling adventures Steve Purcell had in mind for my favorite characters. And what's up with the newly installed power? and will the commissioner still phone the Freelance Police? will Sam and Max move out of the neighborhood? and what's with that launching towards? Oh, OK. I'll be patient.
