| Poker Night 2 | |
|---|---|
| Developer(s) | Telltale Games |
| Publisher(s) | Telltale Games |
| Composer(s) | Jared Emerson-Johnson |
| Engine | Telltale Tool |
| Platform(s) | Microsoft Windows, OS X, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360,[1]iOS |
| Release | Xbox Live Arcade Steam (Windows & OS X)
iOS
|
| Genre(s) | Card video game |
Another Night at the Inventory by Latham02 reviews. You once again find yourself at the Inventory for a night of high stakes poker. This time your opponents are Mabel Pines from Gravity Falls, Panty Anarchy from Panty and Stocking with Garterbelt, Burt Gummer from Tremors, and Emmet The Lego Movie.
Poker Night 2 is a pokervideo game developed by Telltale Games.[1] It is the sequel to Poker Night at the Inventory and, like its predecessor, features crossover characters from different franchises. The game was released for Steam, PlayStation Network and Xbox Live Arcade in April 2013, with an iOS version released the following month.[2][3][4] Due to expiring licenses, the game was pulled from sale in September 2018.[5]
- 2Development
Gameplay[edit]
Like the original game, Poker Night 2 is a computer-based poker simulation between an unseen participant (the player) and four characters. Each player starts with the same amount of virtual money, and competes in standard poker rules to try to eliminate all the other players by exhausting their money. In addition to Texas hold 'em style of play, Poker Night 2 includes Omaha hold 'em as well.
The four additional characters in addition to the player are Sam from the Sam & Max franchise (voiced by David Nowlin), who is assisted by Max (voiced by David Boat), Brock Samson from The Venture Bros. (voiced by Patrick Warburton), Ash Williams from The Evil Dead franchise (voiced by Danny Webber), and Claptrap from the Borderlands series (voiced by David Eddings). GLaDOS (voiced by Ellen McLain) from the Portal series takes a supporting role as the dealer. During the hands, these characters provide humorous chatter between each other and towards the player. Reginald Van Winslow (voiced by Roger L. Jackson) from Tales of Monkey Island reprises his role as the host.[1][6][7] Additional brief cameos include Steve the Bandit and Mad Moxxi from Borderlands, Doug and a Save-Lot Bandit from The Walking Dead, and a waiter from Gravity Bone.
The game features unlockable in-game card, chip and table designs, as well as 'Bounty Unlocks' for completing certain goals, which unlock Borderlands 2 content and, depending on the platform played, Team Fortress 2 items on Steam, Xbox Avatar items, or PlayStation 3 themes.[6][8] Simultaneously using chips, cards, and tables sharing the same theme alters the design of the Inventory, opening up new conversation possibilities. Players can also buy the other characters drinks in order to more easily expose their tells.
Development[edit]
The first Poker Night game was developed by Telltale during a lull in their release schedule, and proved to be successful; Steve Allison, vice president of publishing at Telltale, believed it was the relationship between Telltale and the Valve that contributed to the success of the game, luring players with Team Fortress 2 items for performing well in the game.[9] As completion of The Walking Dead neared, Telltale found themselves in another lull, and returned to the Poker Night concept as a way to fill the gap.[9]
Character selection was more direct than the first game, with Telltale wanting to bring in characters from movies and television. Allison had a good relationship with MGM Studios who were eager to offer characters, and was able to secure the character of Ash from Evil Dead, which also was timed well against the release of the 2013 remake.[9] Similarly, Allison stated that Cartoon Network readily agreed to the inclusion of Brock from Venture Bros., one of the Telltale team's first selections.[9]Gearbox Software, the creators of Borderlands, appreciated the first game, and allowed the Claptrap character to be used.[9] The final spot at the table was to be left open for a character from a Telltale game, eventually resulting in Sam. They had considered using either Marty or Doc Brown from the Back to the Future game but realized that they would not be appropriate in a game with mature spoken content. Similarly, characters from The Walking Dead series would not be a thematic fit for the poker title, as it would make people emotional about the game.[9] To help make the play more personable, they needed to have a dealer for the table, and GLaDOS was considered an obvious fit.[9]
Marketing[edit]
Telltale started a website called The Key Party in 2013 in order to promote the game, with a new keychain related to the game characters revealed every working day from March 25 until April 1, when the game was officially revealed.[1]
Reception[edit]
Anthony Gallegos from IGN gave the game a 7.5 out of 10.[10]
References[edit]
- ^ abcd'Telltale Teasing The Key Party'. The International House of Mojo. 2013-03-27. Retrieved 2013-03-27.
- ^'Ash, Claptrap, Sam and Brock Samson Ante Up For Poker Night 2'. Kotaku. 2013-04-01. Retrieved 2013-04-01.
- ^Usher, Anthony. 'Take Evil Dead protagonist Ash Williams to the cleaners in Telltale Games's Poker Night 2 for iOS'. www.pocketgamer.com.
- ^'Out Now: 'Combo Crew', 'Poker Night 2', 'Epic', 'Stickman Tennis', 'Zombie Fish Tank' and Much More'. Touch Arcade. 2013-05-23. Retrieved 2013-06-04.
- ^'Why is Poker Night 2 no longer available?'. Telltale Games. Retrieved October 3, 2018.
- ^ abMiller, Greg (2013-04-01). 'Telltale Games' Poker Night 2 Announced'. IGN. Retrieved 2013-04-01.
- ^'Poker Night 2 – YouTube'. YouTube.
- ^'Poker Night at the Inventory 2 Leaked Through TF2 Promo Items List'. Softpedia. 2013-03-14. Retrieved 2013-03-27.
- ^ abcdefgMcElroy, Griffin (2013-05-07). 'How Evil Dead, Venture Bros. and Borderlands Ended Up at the Poker Table'. Polygon. Retrieved 2013-05-07.
- ^Gallegos, Anthony (2013-04-30). 'Poker Night at the Inventory 2 Review – IGN'. IGN. Ziff Davis. Retrieved 2015-09-19.
External links[edit]
Chapter 1: Unexpected Aid
In Equestria…
'What's this?' asked Discord the draconequus. The mismatch of animal features stood in shock as he saw the eyes of the six ponies before him light up in white, as they floated together next to each other with their glowing Elements of Harmony.
Discord knew that unlike last time, the ponies were prepared and did really believe in their 'friendship.' He knew what the result would be if he didn't move quickly.
As he saw the rainbow spew forth from the glowing Elements of Harmony and head towards him, Discord realized to act fast. He proceeded to snap his fingers and teleport himself out of the way of the incoming rainbow, not knowing which universe he would land in now that he had to escape Equestria.
Meanwhile, at the Inventory…
It was another slow night at the Inventory. The hidden building's dark-skinned host Reginald van Winslow, who sported a sailor's hat and a mustache connected to his sideburns, was bored out of his mind at witnessing no customers arriving to play games and drink within the walls of the gambling and libation hotspot that was the Inventory. He saw all the poker tables and bar chairs across the spacious joint completely empty, with only one other person in the Inventory's large hub room besides Winslow.
'Just not your night, is it Winslow?' asked the yellow-skinned bartender speaking towards the approaching host.
'I'm afraid not, Mr. Szyslak. It looks like for the first time in its history, the Inventory is completely devoid of any gamers and patrons. I'm afraid that if this dead silence were to keep up, the Inventory may find itself closing its doors for good' answered Winslow.
Just as Winslow finished his sentence, he found himself startled by the sudden appearance of some kind of chimera-like creature in the middle of the Inventory's hub, looking like no animal he had ever seen before.
'Whew. Managed to dodge those annoying ponies' said Discord as he then proceeded to look around the silent area before him. 'Well this place looks boring beyond all belief. Maybe some good old chaos will liven it up.'
Night At The Inventory Game
Discord proceeded to snap his fingers, as all the chairs and tables across the large room started to float and spin around.
'I say, I don't believe I've ever met quite a unique individual such as yourself' said Winslow as he regarded the draconequus responsible for making the Inventory's furniture float.
'No kidding, Winslow. That thing looks like one of my nightmares after a bad binge' replied the bartender Moe Szyslak.
Discord chuckled. 'I take it you've never seen a magnificent god of disharmony such as myself.'
Discord soon turned his attention towards the giant monitoring robotic body approaching him from the ceiling. The giant central core, GLaDOS, spoke.
'I recognize this amalgamation of organism sections. It suddenly teleported into a room of my turrets one day while I was conducting experiments for Aperture Science. Before the turrets could annihilate the intruder, that creature caused all of my turrets in that room to float and then target each other after snapping his fingers.' GLaDOS then moved closer to regard the draconequus while still maintaining a calm tone in her voice. 'You destroyed several units of Aperture Science's hard work...you monster.'
Discord chuckled at the monitor. 'Monster? Please, I've been called worse. What can you expect from Discord, the master of chaos?'
Discord then turned his attention back to the Inventory's host. 'Now, if you'd be so kind as to tell me what kind of dull and drab location I've ended up in?' asked the draconequus.
'Ah, yes' started Winslow. 'This is the Inventory. Once built during the era of Prohibition, where alcohol was banned from the general public. Dixon Kent, the founder of the Inventory, maintained such a place to revolt against such a wretched law. This is a hubble where people can engage in liquor and poker alike without worrying about the controlling arms of the government. Even after Prohibition was repealed, the Inventory still operates and provides amusement to those who need the relaxation after whatever stresses face their lives.'
Discord nodded to Winslow. 'I agree most wonderfully. How can a world be so cruel as to remove fun, when fun is what makes the world go around. At least, you understand this kind of delight in fighting control better than those ponies in Equestria did. But I must say, I don't feel any fun from anyone else here right now.'
Winslow nodded in a sad manner. 'Yes, unfortunately the Inventory is now at its lowest in terms of patrons visiting our establishment. As the current host of the Inventory, I, Reginald van Winslow, was thinking of a tournament larger than the ones we normally conduct to bring in more visitors to try our cards and liquor; unfortunately I'm at a loss at knowing who and how to select more potential customers for our business.'
Discord responded, now holding a fishing rod. 'Sounds like you gotta reel in more fishes for your aquarium of fun' said Discord as he spun his rod as an imitation of reeling in a catch.
Winslow chuckled at Discord's fisherman act. 'You know Mr. Discord, the Inventory has yet to establish a comedian to provide entertainment to our guests. I believe that with your capabilities, you could fulfill that position with untold excitement.'
Discord's eyes lit up. 'Finally, someone else who appreciates my talents for what they can provide: laughter. Sure, I can go overboard in how much I mess with the world, but really I just want people to laugh and have a good time. Fighting back against dumb rules? Making people laugh and enjoy life beyond boring standards and limitations? Sounds like my kind of world.'
Winslow's eyes lit up. 'Why certainly, Mr. Discord. Though I'm hesitant to involve a creature of chaos into the Inventory, frankly the Inventory needs a little chaos right now to keep it alive. Now I just a need a prize for our promotional tournament, along with the method of promoting our tournament to potential players.'
Discord chuckled. 'Now come on, Reginald. You're dealing with a god of chaos here. I'll get you the patrons needed to liven up the place. And as for the prize, well how does one wish from my power sound?'
Winslow responded in elation. 'If you're going to provide the guests and the prize for our promotional tournament, then consider yourself officially hired for the Inventory Mr. Discord.'
Discord replied. 'Please just call me Discord. And don't worry about paying me. Seeing the entropy about to come to this place is payment in of itself. How many players do you want?'
Winslow answered. 'Oh, I believe 36 players will do. Six tables of six players, then one final game of six players. Sounds straightforward to the visitors, and lets us see how well we can handle our first large tournament.'
Poker Night At The Inventory Steam
Discord nodded. 'Sounds good to me. 36 contestants, coming up!' He then proceeded to snap his fingers.