Sam & Max 201: Ice Station Santa is the first episode of a graphic adventure game Sam & Max Beyond Time and Space based on self-titled media franchise. It is a sequel to Sam & Max Save the World.

Story

The game follows two friends and freelance policemen: an anthropomorphic suit-wearing dog Sam and “hyperkinetic rabbity thing” (as described in the source material) Max. It takes place one year after the event of Sam & Max Save the World. The story begins with a giant robot attack on their office. After the heroes defeat the robot, they find out it was a present from Santa Claus, so they decide to travel to the North Pole where they discover panicking Santa who barricaded himself in his workshop and threatens the elves with firearms. Sam and Max decide to find out the reason for Santa’s distress as well the cause of the robot attack.

Gameplay

Just like the previous game, Sam and Max Beyond Time and Space is a point-and-click adventure with a heavy emphasis on story and comedy. Throughout the game, you explore different locations, solve puzzles, interact with other characters. Although the core gameplay is identical to Sam and Max Save the World, there are some new features in the sequel. One of the most notable is that the game now has a hint system which you can adjust in the main menu. Aside from the main point-and-click constituent of the game, there are some mini-games such as driving sequence or a boxing match.