Sam & Max: Season Two - Moai Better Blues

SAM & MAX IS part of the gaming calendar, and the change of emphasis since Sam & Max Hit the Road - from epic smart-talking puzzler to family friendly smarttalking puzzler - has only made it more accessible. However, there's only so many times you can start a review with that kind of round-up before you start looking desperate for an opening paragraph, so let's get on with it Moai Better Blues takes the duo through a rogue Bermuda Triangle to Easter Island, a portal-infested rock dominated by a volcano. Despite the comedy touchstones being a little shaky - we've lost the Soda Poppers, but they've been replaced by a bunch of age-regressed baby celebrities, which 1 hope are one-offs - the script is strong enough to carry on through the wincing baby laughs.

As usual, the puzzles parody the well-established formula of the genre. When Max hears about prophecies that must be fulfilled, he quips T bet there's three,' at the same time I thought it. Perhaps it's forced by the bite-size nature of the games, but Moai does manage to disguise the triple-puzzle rut of the series better than other episodes.

Moai Better Blues plays with S&Ms format enough to keep it fresh, the new hint system balances sneaky clues and blatant giveaways, and the barrage of gags will sandblast away any doubts you may have. There's no sign of let up, yet - at least, not on this half of the page. Stay tuned...