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South Park: The Fractured But Whole arrives with the weight of expectation. Following a beloved franchise with a devoted fanbase and a successful predecessor, The Stick of Truth, The Fractured But Whole has a lot to live up to. This review explores whether this superhero-themed RPG captures the irreverent spirit of the South Park universe while delivering a compelling gaming experience.

South Park: The Fractured But Whole – Screenshot

From Stick of Truth to Superhero Capes

The Fractured But Whole cleverly transitions from the fantasy setting of The Stick of Truth, embracing the current superhero craze. Trading swords and sorcery for capes and tights, the kids of South Park embark on a new adventure, parodying the cinematic universes of Marvel and DC. This shift allows the game to explore new comedic territory while maintaining the core cast and continuing the narrative threads established in the previous game and the 13th season of the television series. Ubisoft San Francisco deserves credit for finding a fresh and relevant satirical target, even turning flatulence into a superpower.

Stale Jokes and Pacing Issues

Despite its promising premise, The Fractured But Whole suffers from a slow start and pacing issues. The humor, while undeniably South Park, relies heavily on shock value, vulgarity, and often falls flat. The game struggles to find a balance between over-the-top humor that elicits genuine laughter and over-the-top humor that feels forced and uninspired. The disjointed narrative and lack of sharp writing further contribute to the underwhelming first half of the game. Some jokes, particularly those targeting sensitive topics, feel dated and lack the impact they might have had a few years earlier. The game’s attempt to satirize the Catholic Church sex abuse scandal, for instance, feels clumsy and insensitive.

South Park: The Fractured But Whole – Screenshot

Repetitive Gameplay Mechanics

When not relying on stale jokes, The Fractured But Whole falls into repetitive gameplay patterns. The game world, while open, is smaller than typical Ubisoft fare and filled with time-consuming fetch quests. Crafting, collecting an absurd amount of crafting materials, and excessive walking further contribute to the repetitive nature of the gameplay. While the game tries to inject humor into these mundane tasks, it doesn’t mask the overly repetitive structure. The over-reliance on quick-time events (QTEs), particularly in minigames and minor interactions, adds to the monotony.

A Glimmer of Brilliance

Once the story finds its footing around the third day, The Fractured But Whole becomes surprisingly engaging. The game’s satire of the superhero genre shines through, poking fun at the tropes and conventions of cinematic universes. The kids’ attempts to build their own superhero franchise, complete with phases, individual character movies, and even a Netflix series, are genuinely hilarious. The ensuing superhero civil war, filled with foul-mouthed children, shifting alliances, and absurd logic, is a highlight of the game.

South Park: The Fractured But Whole – Screenshot

Combat System: Fun Yet Limited

The turn-based combat, while initially enjoyable, suffers from rigidity. The game offers a diverse roster of allies, each with unique strengths and abilities. However, the lack of character customization and progression limits the strategic depth of team building. The protagonist’s progression system is equally restrictive, with limited skill slots and a simplified artifact system.

South Park: The Fractured But Whole – Screenshot

Conclusion: A Mixed Bag

South Park: The Fractured But Whole is a mixed bag. While it delivers moments of genuine hilarity and clever satire, it’s hampered by pacing issues, repetitive gameplay, and a dated sense of humor. The combat system, while fun, lacks depth and customization options. Despite its flaws, fans of South Park will likely find enjoyment in the game’s irreverent humor and quirky characters.

South Park: The Fractured But Whole – Screenshot