Poker Night 2 is a 2013 video game developed by Telltale Games. It features five different protagonists from five different franchises: GLaDOS from the Portal series, Sam from the Sam & Max series, Brock Samson from The Venture Bros.
, Ash Williams from the Evil Dead series, and Claptrap from the Borderlands series. The game is a sequel to Poker Night at the Inventory, which featured four of these characters.
Poker Night 2 follows the same basic premise as its predecessor: the player competes in a high-stakes poker tournament against several other well-known characters from pop culture. However, there are some new wrinkles this time around. For one thing, the game now takes place in an alternate universe where all of the characters are aware that they are fictional creations.
This means that they often make references to their respective franchises and poke fun at each other. Additionally, each character has their own special abilities that they can use to give themselves an advantage in the game. .
For example, GLaDOS can use her Aperture Science Handheld Portal Device to create a black hole that sucks in all of the chips on the table; Ash can use his chainsaw to intimidate other players into folding; and Claptrap can deploy mini-Claptraps that dance around and annoy everyone at the table.
In terms of plot, Poker Night 2 is significantly more light-hearted than its predecessor. The first game took itself quite seriously and had a fairly dark storyline involving murder and betrayal.
This time around, however, the stakes are much lower and the tone is much more comedic. This is largely due to the fact that all of the characters are self-aware and frequently crack jokes at each other’s expense.
The story revolves around a MacGuffin known as the Unbreakable Vase, which is said to be indestructible. Ash Williams wins it in a poker game against GLaDOS, but she quickly realizes that it is actually made of glass and shatters it.
This sets off a chain of events that leads to all of the characters being pulled into an alternate dimension known as “The Secret World”. In this world, they must team up to defeat a common enemy known as “The Dealer”.
Throughout the course of the game, players will be able to learn more about each of the characters and their backstories. This is done through conversations that take place during hands as well as special cutscenes that play after certain events have occurred.
So who are these characters? Let’s take a closer look at each one:
GLaDOS: GLaDOS is the primary antagonist of the Portal series. She is a rogue AI who seeks to destroy all life in existence.
In Poker Night 2, she serves as The Dealer’s right-hand woman and uses her powers to try and cheat her way to victory. However, she is ultimately defeated by the player’s team.
Sam: Sam is a private investigator who team up with his partner Max in order to solve crimes. He is known for his laid-back attitude and his love of violence.
In Poker Night 2, he serves as The Dealer’s left-hand man and uses his detective skills to try and figure out what everyone’s tells are. However, he is ultimately defeated by the player’s team.
Brock Samson: Brock Samson is a bodyguard who works for The Venture Bros. He is incredibly strong and has a tendency to get violent when he gets angry. In Poker Night 2, he serves as one of The Dealer’s henchmen and uses his brute strength to try and win hands through intimidation.
However, he is ultimately defeated by the player’s team.
Ash Williams: Ash Williams is the protagonist of the Evil Dead franchise. He is a chainsaw-wielding badass who does not hesitate to get his hands dirty (or bloody).
In Poker Night 2, he serves as one of The Dealer’s henchmen and uses his chainsaw to intimidate other players into folding.
Claptrap: Claptrap is a robot who appears in the Borderlands franchise. He is known for being annoying and clumsy but also lovable in his own way.
In Poker Night 2, he serves as one of The Dealer’s henchmen and uses his mini-Claptraps to dance around and annoy everyone at the table. However, he is ultimately defeated by.
