Back to the Future by Telltale games is an adventure based off the movies except the story sidetracks into a whole new 1930's era where we meet young Doc and learn how he became the amazing scientist. From there the plot unfolds into many different direction as time travel creates many different layers to complicate everything.



Wonderful toon-shaded characters and world, free movement around the levels, interesting & ridiculous puzzles, recorded dialog for all characters and the ability to save at any moment.

Follow my step-by-step guide on installing, configuring and optimizing Back to the Future with PlayOnLinux.

Note: This guide applies to the downloaded version from GOG.com. Retail and Steam versions may require additional steps.


Tips and Specs

To learn more about PlayOnLinux and Wine configuration, see the online manual:
PlayOnLinux Explained

Mint 14 32-bit
PlayOnLinux: 4.2.1
Wine: 1.5.25

Installing Wine with PlayOnLinux

Installing different versions of Wine is necessary for running different games because one Wine doesn't work for them all. PlayOnLinux makes it possible to download, install and test your game in all the versions of Wine until you find the right one for your speicific game.

Launch PlayOnLinux
Click Tools
Click "Manage Wine Versions"

Wine versions manager
Select 1.5.25
Click the right-arrow


Note: Try using stable Wine 1.8 and 1.8-staging

Click Next


Downloading...


Extracting


Complete


Wine and PlayOnLinux Setup

Launch PlayOnLinux
Click Install


Search for "gog.com - Back To The Future The Game"
Select it
Click Install


Click Next


Select "Use a setup file in my computer"
Click Next


Click Browse


Navigate to your GOG.com download
Select "setup_back_to_the_future_1.0.0.8.exe"
Click Open


Click Next


Installing Wine


Note: The PlayOnLinux script will automatically download and install 1.4.1 version of Wine, but we will change it to Wine 1.5.25 in a later step.

Please Wait...


Checking File Integrity


Check "Yes, I have read and accept..."
Click "Start Installation"


Installing


Click "Exit Installer"


Simulating a Reboot


Shortcuts

Each chapter will appear as a seperate shortcut in PlayOnLinux


PlayOnLinux Configure

Click Configure
Select BackToTheFutureTG_gog virtual drive

General Tab
Change the Wine version to 1.5.25


Display Tab
Direct Draw: opengl
Video Memory size: amount of memory on video card
Offscreen rendering mode: fbo


Graphics Optimizing
The game automatically ran with the same resolution as my desktop. I was able to change the resolution in-game but it never seemed to work properly.
Change the resolution of your desktop first, then launch the game
Start lower first 1360x765 or 1024x768
If your frames per second is smooth, increase the other graphical settings one at a time.





Bugs:
I had a problem with frame stuttering no matter what settings I configured. The stuttering always occurred right before some dialog. Hopefully this will be fixed as Wine is updated.

Conclusion:
Back To The Future ran well enough to play the game. It definitely runs smoother in Windows because you won't have the stuttering problem.... but it is playable. Characters and levels look amazing... and have fun with all the dialog. I'm surprised how much work the put into voice-overs for hundreds of lines of dialog.

Screenshots: