Review:
Wallace & Gromit's Grand Adventures: The Last Resort review

Wallace and Gromit’s second outing improves upon the first episode in every way.

When Telltale Games announced Aardman’s Wallace & Gromit property as their next adventure game series, I had my doubts as to whether the California-based developer would be able to capture the quintessential Englishness of Nick Park’s claymation creations. The Bristol animation studio treats its flagship franchise with a level of intimacy, and over the years has developed a knack for capturing the tiniest nuances of British character. Fortunately, Episode 1 of Grand Adventures, entitled ‘Fright of the Bumblebees,’ encapsulated Aardman’s quaint charms perfectly. Could there be anything more English than a game that announces “Tea Break!” when you hit pause?

It goes without saying that, as anyone wise enough to have played either Sam & Max or Strong Bad’s Cool Game for Attractive People will concur, Telltale can do the funny. Yet while ‘Fright of the Bumblebees’ had its fair share of moments, a rather uninspired plot and some conventional puzzles took away from the immaculate virtualisation of West Wallaby Street that Telltale and Aardman had crafted. Telltale’s previous episodic efforts have always taken several instalments to work their magic, and ‘The Last Resort’ is no exception. Not only is it funnier than its predecessor, but it’s a more polished product in everyway possible, with an inventive storyline, better developed characters and some straightforward but entertaining puzzles.

Anyone remotely familiar with the Aardman brand of humour will probably have guessed from The Last Resort’s title that it centres around our duo’s decision to go on a traditional seaside vacation. Or at least it might have, had some “unseasonable weather” not encouraged good natured but ineffectual inventor Wallace to bring the sun, sand and sea to his own doorstep. Yes, Wallace’s latest business venture, West Wallaby Street Waterworld, captures all the fun of the seaside in the confines of his basement, and the few residents of Wigan, Lancashire are all lining up to attend.