The second instalment in Telltale Games’ latest Point-N’-Click series has now launched, currently available to the public via download. Harnessing the ideal of episodic content, this second of four releases is unlikely to be an entry point for the newcomers to the series – instead, Electronic Theatre would expect (and advise) first-timers to begin at the beginning, with Wallace & Gromit’s Grand Adventures – Episode 1: Fright of the Bumblebees – but for those who have already taken the first step into the brave new world of Wigan, this new adventure at 62 West Wallaby Street will feel strikingly familiar.

            As is the intention with episodic content, Wallace & Gromit’s Grand Adventures – Episode 2: The Last Resort follows the rules established in the first title to the letter. Movement around the 3D scenes is handled with the WASD or Arrow keys and environmental objects or characters can be interacted with via a single click of the Left Mouse Button. Collected items are viewable in the Inventory by holding the SHIFT key, and a pleasing learning curve is present to once again ease you into the pace determined by your own initiative, rather than that of predetermined Artificial Intelligence activation points.

            The Tutorial in Wallace & Gromit’s Grand Adventures – Episode 2: The Last Resort remains identical to that of Bumblebees, so it’s a surprise to see it included at all in the package, as it’s doubtful many would jump-in at the second episode. However, it remains useful as an introduction point for friends and family members of whomever originally downloaded the package, and so its inclusion could well be seen as a marketing goal as opposed to a design decision – and an encouraging one, at that.

            The puzzle orientation begins as simple, single object-based endeavours, but grows more rapidly than the first outing into complex toing-and-throwing between areas and items. Though the overarching storyline continues from the first title, the extended subplots in Wallace & Gromit’s Grand Adventures – Episode 2: The Last Resort allow the room for much of the explorative puzzling that has granted Telltale Games an almost impeccable reputation for such games, and here the reasons as to why the company is so well respected within modern Point-N’-Click games is more evident – and immediate - than with the first release.

            Built upon the same foundations as Wallace & Gromit’s Grand Adventures – Episode 1: The Fright of the Bumblebees, you’d be forgiven for thinking few new elements would be introduced. However, while many characters are recurring, their presentation is much stronger here, and even those who haven’t familiarised themselves with Wallace & Gromit’s original claymation outings will find themselves predicting the most unlikely of outcomes thanks to a knowing delivery. Long-time fans may still argue over the absence of Peter Sallis, but this is unlikely to have any bearing on future outings.

            Wallace & Gromit’s Grand Adventures – Episode 2: The Last Resort once again pushes against the boundaries of the Point-N’-Click genre, without breaking down any new walls. While it may not be as progressive as genre aficionados may have hoped, it’s a rewarding experience regardless, and pitched perfectly for that gap between the genre’s followers and those dabbling with the genus for the first time.

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