Now I don’t have any screenshots yet, but I will quote from what I remember.

At the beginning, Max saw Lumpy as a random being he and Sam found during a case that is conveniently the only one who can use a rocket launcher. When they defeat the monster, Sam gets the idea of recruiting Lumpy while Max groans and begs Sam not to.

Throughout the game, Max constantly insults Lumpy, being sarcastic and telling them to “suck it”. When Sam asks why he’s like this, he replies:

“I’m like a Silverback, Sam. I lash out at anyone who encroaches at my territory. Also, Lumpy sucks raw eggs.”

There are rare compliments he does every now and then such as calling them “Kid” and such, but he quickly says “but I still hate you”, “sort of”, and what not. There’s a part where Max gets possessed by a demon and when he gets saved, his first words were in disbelief: “Did Lumpy just save my immortal soul?” It seemed genuine, but then he goes back to being sarcastic.

When the main story really begins, It gets interesting. Sam gets kidnapped and Max immediately gets depressed/separation anxiety. When he sees Lumpy, he demands them to act and help him get Sam. Although he knows that Sam’s alive and he does go back to joking, he‘s still worried about Sam and does everything to get back to him. When Max and Lumpy disguise themselves to break in, it seems like everything is back to goofy normal for a Sam and Max adventure.

But I think the turn happens is when everyone gets back from the Nanoverse and the final boss appears. For the first part, Max and Lumpy are working together. Max gives instructions and encouragement:

“Remember your training, Lumpy! … (whispering) God, I can’t believe I said that in public.”

At one point, he even calls Lumpy “Junior” like Sam does.

But I think the moment that Max’s views of Lumpy changes is when he grows into a giant and saves Sam and Lumpy. After he stuffs the boss into the portal, he kneels and offers his paw to Lumpy, Lumpy climbs on and Max is like “Going up?” As he stands up and brings Lumpy to the portal. When Lumpy starts shooting and solving puzzles, Max is surprisingly patient. He gives Lumpy his gun, he jokes as he’s lifting them up, and he holds still even when he’s complaining and cursing about puzzles and Sam tries to calm him down.

But I think the moment his view changes of Lumpy happens when Lumpy solves the puzzle and Max is like:

“You better get yourself down before you get kilt!” as he’s lowering Lumpy back down.

Throughout the giant Max sequence, he is gentle, smiling, and he doesn’t want Lumpy killed. And I’m like 🥺😭