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South Park: The Stick of Truth, developed by Obsidian Entertainment, has defied expectations. After THQ’s demise and the dispersal of its intellectual properties, South Park’s acquisition by Ubisoft for a mere $3.2 million raised few eyebrows. Previous South Park games had largely gone unnoticed, dismissed for their lackluster quality. However, The Stick of Truth has become a critical and commercial success, topping sales charts and earning glowing reviews. The key to its success? Its unapologetically crude humor, staying true to the spirit of the beloved television series.

South Park: The Stick of Truth – Gameplay

Embracing the Absurdity of South Park

South Park, the infamous animated sitcom, centers around four boys – Stan Marsh, Kyle Broflovski, Eric Cartman, and Kenny McCormick – navigating the bizarre realities of their Colorado town. The Stick of Truth introduces players to this world and its eccentric inhabitants. While familiar faces abound, the game features an original storyline accessible to newcomers, allowing players to create their own unique character.

Inspired by J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings, the game casts players into a mock-epic battle between humans and elves, vying for control of the all-powerful Stick of Truth. This “epic quest” quickly reveals itself as a children’s imaginative role-playing game, with the player, a new kid in town, becoming a key participant. The silent protagonist, reminiscent of Half-Life’s Gordon Freeman, is encouraged by their parents to make friends, thus setting the adventure in motion.

From New Kid to Douchebag: An RPG Experience

The game wastes no time establishing its comedic tone, introducing players to the signature South Park humor through outrageous scenarios. One early example involves using collected fecal matter as a weapon. The absurdity continues as you befriend the South Park kids, update your status on a fictional in-game Facebook, and learn essential skills like… rapping. No matter the chosen name, the other kids affectionately (or perhaps not so affectionately) dub the protagonist “Douchebag.”

South Park: The Stick of Truth – Character Customization

The Stick of Truth is replete with hilarious dialogue that rivals, and perhaps even surpasses, the show’s comedic brilliance. Moments like warning Cartman’s mom, only to be told by him, “Don’t talk to her, she doesn’t play this game,” showcase the game’s witty writing. The constant stream of unexpected and often crude jokes creates an experience that is both entertaining and genuinely funny. However, given its source material, the game’s mature rating (M) is well-deserved and should be taken seriously.

South Park: The Stick of Truth – Combat

South Park: The Stick of Truth – Exploration

A Surprisingly Deep RPG

Developed by Obsidian Entertainment, known for RPGs like Neverwinter Nights 2 and Fallout: New Vegas, The Stick of Truth boasts surprisingly deep RPG mechanics. Players choose from four classes – Fighter, Mage, Thief, and Jew – each with unique abilities and equipment. The humor extends to the character classes, with Fighters wearing oven mitts and Thieves sporting simple hoodies.

Combat is turn-based, reminiscent of classic Final Fantasy titles, but streamlined for accessibility. Quick time events (QTEs) during combat add an engaging layer, requiring players to time their attacks and blocks precisely for maximum damage. This simple yet effective system keeps the battles dynamic and entertaining. The game even features a unique take on the “dragon shout” mechanic from Skyrim, replacing it with powerful… farts.

South Park: The Stick of Truth – Environment

Players can explore the town of South Park, interact with NPCs, and undertake side quests for rewards. Fast travel, courtesy of Timmy Express, simplifies navigation. The ability to choose a companion for battles adds a strategic element, with each character offering unique skills and abilities.

A Visual and Auditory Treat

The Stick of Truth perfectly captures the visual style of the show, from the simple character designs to the vibrant and detailed backgrounds. The 2D graphics are visually appealing without being demanding, allowing the game to run smoothly on less powerful systems.

The audio design further enhances the experience, featuring the familiar voices of South Park creators Matt Stone and Trey Parker. Cartman’s voice acting, in particular, stands out, delivering rapid-fire insults and rap-like dialogue.

Technical Hiccups

Despite its strengths, The Stick of Truth suffered from technical issues at launch, particularly with saving the game. While a patch addressed these problems, it also introduced new ones, including preventing players from launching the game. A workaround involving verifying game files on Steam became necessary. These issues, though ultimately resolvable, detracted from the overall experience.

South Park: The Stick of Truth – Menu

South Park: The Stick of Truth – Cutscene

South Park: The Stick of Truth – Combat UI