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Adventure games, especially those with a humourous bent, can go to some truly wacky places at times, but perhaps none wackier than Sam and Max. The third episode ofSam and Max: The Devil’s Playhouseproves this adage correct by starting off with a fond parody of noir movies and entering a mystical alternate version of the world that you must turn back to normal.
All the while, Sam is dealing with his little buddy’s brain being entirely missing. Or, when not missing, otherwise indisposed and unable to move about. This episode is a tough one, and the puzzles can take some mind-bending leaps of logic.
How To Find Out What Happened To Max’s Brain
This episode begins with a diversion from the usual gameplay we’re used to. Here, you’ll be playing only as Sam andinterrogating various suspectsto find out what happened to Max’s brain.
You’ll be treated to a tutorial on Sam’s interrogation methods with the Mole Men. Useany choiceduring the first sequence, and thenaccuse them of lying, specifically when one says something about not seeing anything interesting.
The rest of this sequence might seem intimidating, but the solutions are quite simple - you must simply wait for the characters you come across to hit a certain line of dialogue, and then interrupt them with a specific prompt. The directions you should follow are:
With this, you’ll end this interrogation sequence and end up at the Museum of Mostly Natural History.
Head up the stairsat the back of the room and enter the planetarium; you’ll encounter your next puzzle.
How To Break Skunkape And Papierwaite’s Alliance
As Max’s brain, talk to Skunkape and Papierwaite if you wish. When you’re ready,switch control to Samand attempt toreturn to Max’s bodyat the museum entrance. This will give you your first sub-quest: to find a place to hide Max’s body to appease Sal the guard.
Climb the stairs again andenter the Egyptian exhibiton the left. Reach inside the brain urn near the entrance to receive thePharaoh’s Brain. Use this back at the museum entrance onMax’s Body. This will get you access to Max’s psychic powers once more.
The next step is to make the two underlings (Sal the security guard and the gorilla minion at the museum entrance) fight. This is a relatively simple process:
With the alliance almost broken, there’s only one more thing to do before you may split them up for good;destroy Papierwaite’s precious Yog-Soggoth tapestry, which is located next to the museum’s information desk.
The following scenes will set up the next part of this episode: breaking the spell that Sammun-Mak has cast over the world and reuniting Max’s brain with his body.
First thing first,walk to the left to your carto receive your first puzzle.
How To Find The Rebels
To find the rebels,enter the manhole to the right, near Stinky’s Diner.
Speak to the Mole Cultistsdown here and select the ‘Salute’ option. You’ll get some psychic toys back and a new objective: to take the Brain Screw you also just received to Sammun-Mak.
Use the car to head to the Museum.Attempt to approach Sammun-Makand you’ll learn that only members of his inner circle can reach him, and to become a member of the inner circle, you’ll need to obtainthree Accessories of Privilege. These are the Ornament of Fealty, the Medallion of Tithing, and the Pendant of Inquisition.
How To Get The Ornament Of Fealty
To learn about the Ornament of Fealty,head to the Gift Vault and talk to Sal about his accessory. Turns out we need to expose a heretic… or create one.
How To Get The Medallion Of Tithing
Interacting with theconsole in the Museumwill teach you a bit about Sammun-Mak - the lights will influence his most desired object. You don’t know it in-game yet, but giving Sammun-Mak what he desires most is the key to acquiring the Medallion of Tithing.
How To Get The Pendant Of Inquisition
Speaking toFrankie the Ratwill reveal that he has the Pendant of Inquisition and also that he’s a prolificgamblerwhose wager of choice concerns thegladiatorial battles. We can use this to nab the pendant.
With all three Accessories of Privilege, you can nowhead to the Museum to confront Sammun-Mak. Talk to Papierwaite to gain entry to the inner circle, and then attempt touse the Brain Screw on Sammun-Mak.
Things go awry, and Sam ends up in the Pit of Contrition.
How To Beat Skunkape
This puzzle will require some clever use of Max’s powers and the correct dialogue choices.
While you will win against Skunkape, this isn’t the end - Sammun-Mak himself enters the ring.
How To Beat Sammun-Mak
This is actually a very simple final puzzle. Switch toMax, and then use the ‘Kneel’ and ‘Salute’ commands in that order.
