http://www.thesixthaxis.com/2009/11/06/hands-on-blue-toad-murder-files/
...The PSN exclusive episodic title is from Relentless Software, the developers behind the Buzz! series, and is genuinely the most enjoyable title I’ve played in a long time. That’s right, without condition this is probably the most fun I’ve had playing a game in a long time. Everything about the game from the art style, to the narrator, to the game play makes you smile and lose yourself in the game’s fictional world of Little Riddle.
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From this opening the pure amusement and humour of the game come to the forefront and whilst the gameplay is simple brilliance – a style of game play that’s often overlooked – it really is the games humour that makes this game stick out as something special.
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This game follows the style defined in the Buzz! games in creating truly communal gameplay that “the whole family can enjoy”. Given that gamers are quick to remind the general public that games aren’t all about the nerdy kid sitting in his bedroom, it seems odd that these kind of games aren’t more prevelant. While games in this style may be lacking, Relentless continue to get it completely and utterly right.
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Blue Toad Murder Files doesn’t feature insanely deep or complex game-play mechanics, you won’t spend days or weeks learning when to hit X. It’s actually refreshing to play a game that doesn’t focus on that side of the game, too many games seem to be focusing on trying to add huge depth to the control scheme, or to adding contextual controls. There’s no need here, it’s just fun to play and I couldn’t really ask for more than that from any title. In all honesty (and in a moment that makes me blush on reflection I told the games producer this) it’s the most entertaining and enjoyable game I’ve played in quite some time.
What more do you really need to know? Oh a release date you say? You can pick up Episodes 1 and 2 on December 17th.
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http://www.ps3attitude.com/new/2009/11/blue-toad-murder-files-play-episode-1/
...What strikes you straight away is how nice the graphic and audio design is within BTMF. All the characters have that part real, part cartoon look that you’ll recognise from early Pixar featurettes, and the audio cues come straight from a B-movie soundtrack which adds to the appeal of the game. The result is a game that you instantly smile at, similar in many ways to Relentless’ juggernaut of a franchise - Buzz! – and that is no bad thing.
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Although one person has the controller at this point, we found that everyone in the team gets involved in solving the riddle, usually through raised voices and fingers pointing furiously at the plasma.
After each player has been treated to the controls, BTMF reminds you that you should have been paying attention with a short quiz where the game tests you on what you’ve seen and heard so far. Each player has to answer a question, and again we found that everyone chipped in to help.
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What is nice about BTMF compared to other similar games, such as the Professor Layton series, is that the puzzles actually pertain to the story. There is a natural, plot-linked rhythm to them and one of the gamers we played with voiced their preference for the way Relentless have woven the games into the story.
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Throughout the 90-minute episode, we never felt as though the game was dragging on. In fact, the time passed quickly. We also noticed across the two days of Eurogamer Expo that groups of ‘hardcore’ gamers were forgoing an opportunity to play some of the visceral FPS title, instead choosing to sit for some hands-on time with BTMF. Everyone we saw playing the game was enjoying themselves… a tough trick to pull off, and one we hope will last across every episode of the game.
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Oh man, this is just getting better and better! I really can't wait to play this, I just need someone to play it with 








