For those unwilling to make the few mouse clicks required to read that initial review of the first episode in the series, Bone: Out From Boneville, here is the lowdown: it was a title suffering from a few meagre flaws in both terms of a handful of graphical glitches, and a story that never seemed to truly get going. Nevertheless, the basis of what could very well become a triumphant series was plain to see, and hence the arrival of this second episode, entitled Bone: The Great Cow Race (so soon after it’s prequels arrival), will surely go a long way towards proving whether or not Telltale Games could build upon those solid foundations and take things up a notch.

The same game engine remains - including the intuitive control method, and the cutesy 3D aesthetics that served Out From Boneville so well. Thankfully the bland backdrops of the first chapter have been dismissed, and with the second episode seeing the three Bone cousins taking place in much more intriguing and populated surroundings, the graphical standards take a minor, although noticeable, step forward.

After the events of the first part, which saw the three Bone’s eventually coming to rest in the home of ‘Gran’Ma Ben’ and ‘Thorn’ (the latter appears as Fone Bone’s love interest, and oddly including a change of voice that gives her a much more childlike quality), the second gets moving at quite a rapid rate. After a short burst of dialogue, the main characters find themselves suffering from various hardships, helpfully introducing the more puzzle-based nature of this second instalment. Flicking between the threesome at will, it’s a case of tying up each characters' various loose ends before progression to the next area is allowed. The ultimate goal being to enter ‘The Great Cow Race’ which, strangely, sees Gran’Ma Ben racing the best racing cows from miles around. An event she wins each year, despite her elderly age.

Unlike the previous episode, which finished not only abruptly, but also in a mildly confusing manner, this new chapter not only explains a much greater portion of the story, but is much more like a single short-lived game in itself. Although still only a handful of hours of play are included, at the pitiful price it’s on offer for, there’s not a chance of feeling short changed. The overall story – and just why the Bone characters are being trailed by a group of shady monsters - is given much greater emphasis, and works much to the series’ potential credit. One major criticism levelled at the first release was the lack of both story progression, and introduction of any major characters to play against the likable Bone’s. A criticism that has thankfully been taken onboard with great effect here.

It’s the much more puzzle-intensive nature of The Great Cow Race which shows the route down which the development team are being encouraged to trek. Although the more ‘child-like’ visuals and dialogue remain, the subtle adult humour, and difficult puzzle challenges mean that older gamers are to be equally as fulfilled as their younger counterparts. The gloriously realised help system, which allows numerous clicks giving stronger hints, until eventually it offers up a pure walkthrough, remains fully intact, and it’s a definite plus for The Great Cow Race that even the more hardened point ‘n’ click fanatic may need to utilise this delightful little help system at some point throughout the game.

As with the first episode, The Great Cow race is still an immensely difficult title to rate. Though the same engine-based problems remain, the much more intriguing dialogue, and better flow of story and puzzles help culminate in making this second episode an even brighter prospect than the first. If the series continues to progress in the same manner, it could find itself remembered as one of the better examples of the genre. At the moment however, there’s still a considerable amount of polish required to reach that accolade. A definite step in the right direction, though still a distance from the true greats of the genre.