Poker Night 2 Introduction:
Poker Night 2, developed by Telltale Games, is a poker video game that serves as the sequel to Poker Night at the Inventory. In line with its predecessor, this game showcases characters from various franchises. Its initial release took place in April 2013 on platforms like Steam, PlayStation Network, and Xbox Live Arcade, followed by an iOS version in the subsequent month. However, due to licenses expiring, the game was removed from sale in September 2018.
Just like the original title, Poker Night 2 is a computer-based poker simulation set in The Inventory, the same setting as the previous game. In this poker showdown, an unseen silent participant (the player) engages with four distinct characters. Each player begins with a standardized sum of virtual money, which was increased to $20,000 per player and $100,000 overall from the initial $10,000 per player and $50,000 total. The objective is to adhere to standard poker rules and outsmart the opponents by depleting their funds. The gameplay includes the Texas hold 'em style featured in the original, and it also introduces the Omaha hold 'em style as a playable mode. The game boasts abundant dialogue due to the ongoing banter between the characters.
Gameplay:
The player interacts with four additional characters: Sam from the Sam & Max franchise, assisted by Max; Brock Samson from The Venture Bros.; Ash Williams from The Evil Dead franchise; and Claptrap from the Borderlands series. The renowned GLaDOS from the Portal series takes on the role of the dealer. These characters engage in humorous exchanges during the poker hands. The host, Reginald Van Winslow from Tales of Monkey Island, contributes to the interactions as well. Several cameo appearances, including characters from Borderlands, The Walking Dead, Sam & Max: The Devil's Playhouse, and Gravity Bone, add to the game's diversity.
The game employs unlockable in-game card, chip, and table designs, along with "Bounty Unlocks" achieved through specific goals. These unlocks offer Borderlands 2 content and various rewards based on the platform, such as Team Fortress 2 items on Steam, Xbox Avatar items, or PlayStation 3 themes. Aligning chips, cards, and tables with the same theme alters the Inventory's design, creating new conversation avenues. Additionally, players can purchase drinks for the characters to reveal their subtle cues more effectively.
The original Poker Night game succeeded in part due to Telltale's collaboration with Valve, which enticed players with Team Fortress 2 items as rewards. As Telltale approached the conclusion of The Walking Dead, they revisited the Poker Night concept to bridge a release gap.
Final Words:
Character selection for Poker Night 2 was more streamlined compared to the first game. Partnerships with MGM Studios facilitated the inclusion of Ash from Evil Dead, coinciding with the 2013 remake. Cartoon Network readily approved Brock from Venture Bros., while Gearbox Software allowed the use of Claptrap from Borderlands. The remaining spot at the table was reserved for a character from a Telltale game, ultimately filled by Sam. Although characters like Marty or Doc Brown from the Back to the Future game were considered, their inclusion was deemed unsuitable for mature content. Likewise, characters from The Walking Dead series were excluded to maintain the game's thematic focus. To enhance the player experience, GLaDOS was a natural choice for the dealer role.