After hitting several delays and surviving the demise of its original publisher THQ, South Park: The Stick of Truth is finally upon us. South Park is no stranger to video game adaptations, but this is easily the most ambitious attempt to date. The Stick of Truth sets out to recapture the look and feel of the show and nail the obscene humor that so frequently lands its creators in hot water. Tie all that together with an RPG system by Obsidian, and you have the makings of something special.
It’s not often we see a game that so closely resembles its TV or film counterpart, but The Stick of Truth is easily one of the most convincing adaptations to date. It’s uncanny how the visuals match up to the show from start to finish. Everything from the environments down to the smallest mannerisms are near-perfectly captured, delivering what’s arguable the most authentic video game recreation of another medium.
It’s not just the visuals, either. The Stick of Truth’s writing is downright hilarious, and it doesn’t get too wrapped up in current events, so it will be just as funny a few months down the line. It also manages to pay homage to the series’ history while poking fun at countless gaming tropes. It’s South Park’s commentary on our industry, and the writing never misses the mark. You’ll get more out of The Stick of Truth’s story if you’re already familiar with the show, but you don’t have to be a huge fan to get the jokes.
Obsidian did a great job of recreating the world of South Park for players to explore, and there are plenty of quests, secrets, and other side attractions to engage in.
As good as the presentation and writing are, this is still a video game, not a show. As an open-world RPG, South Park has its highs and lows. Obsidian did a great job of recreating the world of South Park for players to explore, and there are plenty of quests, secrets, and other side attractions to engage in as the newest resident of this quiet mountain town. You never know just who or what to expect.
On the flip side, there are times when getting around town feels a bit more like a traditional point-and-click adventure than an RPG. Over the course of the game, you will gain new abilities to help you explore the world, like shooting down objects, using an anal probe to teleport to previously unreachable destinations, or summoning the power of your farts to remove obstacles. As amusing as this can be, problems arise when it’s not completely clear what you need to do and how exactly you do it.
Even though there’s a tutorial for each new mechanic, don’t be surprised if you find yourself struggling with the execution on the first few attempts. There are also moments where figuring out how to progress further feels a bit like pixel hunting. As gorgeous as the game can look, sometimes it’s difficult to tell what you can interact with and what’s simply set dressing.
When you’re not busy exploring the town, you’re engaged in combat against some of the strangest foes you’ve ever seen. South Park’s humor permeates the battles as well, with banter from your companion and insane setups for fights that you probably won’t find in any other RPG. You’ll frequently question how the creators got away with some of these scenarios. It’s rare that a game can actually succeed in shocking you the way The Stick of Truth does during many of the battles.
The combat relies on a traditional turn-based system, though it borrows a page from games like Super Mario RPG to add a bit more interaction. Players can execute a more powerful attack or more potent defense by inputting a specific button within a small window of time. These timed inputs add an extra layer of challenge to a battle system that would otherwise get stale if not for its humorous context. As you encounter new enemies and bosses, the timing for these inputs changes to keep you on your toes.
Character progression comes in the form of leveling up, but you also earn new gear and equipment by looting fallen foes, ransacking homes and shops, or purchasing them from random vendors. Many of these improve your attributes, but they also drastically change your appearance. One of the best parts of the game is that you’re not locked into you’re the custom character you picked at the start of the game — you’ll really be able to express yourself by changing your looks as you upgrade and customize your outfit.
There are a few other systems in play here as well. Many pieces of gear can be modified with special attachments that add bonus effects. On top of that, as you complete quests and make more friends on your social media network, you will gain the opportunity to unlock new perks and enhancements to your special combat abilities. It all makes for a rather deep and satisfying combat system that really rewards you for skill and strategy.
Most quests are dictated by the game’s story, though there are plenty of optional objectives as well. The rewards earned throughout your adventure are pretty worthwhile, but sometimes you’ll find something far more entertaining. You never know what your next request will have you doing, and things can get more than a little weird. Let’s just say a certain abortion-themed mini-game will put you beyond your comfort zone.
The Stick of Truth delivers increasingly insane situations that you sometimes can’t help but stare at in disbelief.
That’s the story of this game, though. You just never know what to expect next, and The Stick of Truth delivers increasingly insane situations that you sometimes can’t help but stare at in disbelief. It’s an RPG that doesn’t fall into the trap of requiring grinding to advance, but moves along at a steady pace that allows you to digest the battle system and enjoy the stellar writing and obscene humor that only gets better the further you get in.
Despite some minor technical issues and sometimes abstruse mechanics, South Park: The Stick of Truth is an experience to behold. It’s one of the most faithful adaptations of a television show into a video game, and its signature style of humor and commentary come through in every facet of the game. Even with so much focus on capturing the feel of the show, this still manages to be a solid RPG that’s fun and rewarding. There’s simply nothing else like it out there
Written by Michael Damiani.
Summary
Obsidian Entertainment managed to create a South Park game that is completely indistinguishable from the TV series. The witty and vulgar humor, the cutout aesthetic, and the hilarious voice talents of Matt Stone and Troy Parker are all present. Fans of the series shouldn’t miss it.
