I know this, because Cartman told me. Within seconds of firing up South Park's latest gaming adventure, players will receive a welcome that only this series could pull off.
We've only witnessed the opening 15 minutes, but The Stick of Truth is already shaping up to be an enticing furore into the world crafted by Matt Stone and Trey Parker. The creators' influence is everywhere, from the witty one-liners to the ludicrous attack options, this is a real treat for fans of the cartoon.
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| Butters to the rescue! |
Children of the town are in the middle of a gigantic Live-Action-Role-Playing battle, and as the new kid, it's your job to aid the familiar faces of the main cast. You're invited to Cartman's base, where a handful of boys practice their fighting skills. As a beginning, it couldn't be better pitched. The first encounter comes against a group of unsavoury 'vampire' goths, who proceed to overrun the base. They urinate into the sacred paddling pool, beat up the rival kids, and leave the hideout burning.
Now, the quest for justice begins. Once the battle system kicks in, this is a typical turn-based RPG. Attacks are brutal and often hilarious, as the boys whack their enemies with plungers, throw ninja stars, and release throat burning farts. A huge arsenal was on show, ending with an unbelievable finishing move from Mr Slave. Let's just say he ensured your opponents ended up in a dark cavern. If you've seen the show, you'll know what I mean.
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| Cartman, Stan and Kyle will be with you the entire way |
Battles are pretty smooth, but a little ironing out will be needed before release. The block system rewards those who can time a button press correctly, but this wasn't as clear as it could have been on screen. For now, the game looks to be well balanced, and dips into the classic RPG formula with confidence.
If the start of this article didn't hint enough, you won't be playing as a knight or archer in this game. Instead, you'll work your way through a number of insults, all granted upon you with love. Alongside this, you can thoroughly customise your character; the perfect opportunity to dress up in accordance to your title. Weapons, special moves, and attire can all be tailored to your preference, with plenty of different combinations ready to explore.
Since the title was announced at this year's E3, much has been made about South Park's map. As regular watchers will know, Stone and Parker have never needed to work out the logistics of the town's geography. Well, until now.
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| Yep, this happens |
As a side-scroller, the team have finally had to sit down and consider how the South Park puzzle fits together. Although only a snippet of the game was shown, it's already becoming clear that any early fears should be put to rest. Players can explore areas thoroughly, and will get used to utilising the depth of each location. Items, objectives, and humorous dialogue will reward those who take time to interact, providing the game with the feel of an interactive episode.
Right now, that's really all we could ask for. It's excellent to see how well South Park adapts to this style of game, and I've been left wanting more. As an adventure, the finished product is sure to be completely crazy, over the top, and a little close to the mark, but that's what it's supposed to be. As a Level 1 Douchebag, I can't wait to work my way up the obscene ranking system. That is, after all, how the new kid fits in.
Oh look, I'm a Chode.
Top Gaming Moment: The script is excellent, and ensures South Park sticks to what it knows best.
