South Park: The Stick of Truth Mega-Review

by
Gets Us Hot

It's the South Park game fans have been waiting for, but it's also a great RPG

Turn Offs

It's a bit too easy at times; Some jokes fall flat; Some technical issues


Editor Rating
 
Story/Concept
9.0

 
Graphics
8.0

 
Gameplay
9.0

 
Sounds
8.5

 
Extras
0.0

 
Multiplayer
0.0

 
Longevity
8.5

 
Total Score (not an average)
9.0

Hover To Rate
User Rating
 
Story/Concept
10

 
Graphics
9.8

 
Gameplay
9.0

 
Sounds
10

 
Extras
10

 
Multiplayer
0.0

 
Longevity
10

 
User Score
1 rating
8.4

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I Farted on a Dog

“South Park” is stupid and offensive. It’s also loved by a large portion of Earth’s population. I stopped watching it years ago, mainly due to the fact that I hardly ever watch TV. When South Park: The Stick of Truth  was announced in 2011, I reflected on past “South Park” games and cringed. Then it was delayed and delayed and delayed again. All signs pointed to it being another disappointment. I’m so happy to announce that Obsidian got it right with The Stick of Truth,  the best South Park  game to date.



That fact is especially surprising since The Stick of Truth  is a turn-based RPG. I don’t know whose idea it was to take the combat system from Paper Mario  and implement it into a South Park  game, but I applaud them. Obsidian nailed it. It’s awesome and fun and everything combat in a turn-based RPG should be. Doling out attacks and pressing a button at just the right time to block or counter is extremely satisfying, and I really can’t think of anything bad to say about any of it.

And it’s deep.  More and more attacks become available as the game progresses, including special attacks such as the ability to kick an enemy in the testicles. What would a turn-based RPG be without summons? The Stick of Truth  has them. Of course they’re silly; one of them involves Mr. Hankey wiping out enemies with a poop tsunami. The silliness doesn’t stop there (it doesn’t ever stop in The Stick of Truth). Players can also fart on enemies and throw farts at them (the game dubs these “Dragonshouts”). They can also chuck poop at their enemies to gross them out, which is a version of poisoning as seen in other RPGs.

Tons of armor and weapons can be found around the town of South Park itself. All of these can be upgraded via what the game calls “patches” (lol), which up their damage and usefulness. As I said, The Stick of Truth  is not some half-assed bargain bin RPG. It’s the real deal. Fans of turn-based RPGs who don’t necessarily like “South Park” should still be able to enjoy The Stick of Truth.  The only criticism I can really direct at the gameplay, and this is honestly a little nitpicky, is that it can be a bit too easy at times. Rarely did I find myself struggling with an encounter in The Stick of Truth  (a few boss battles gave me some trouble). People who aren’t really into turn-based RPGs will find that to be a blessing, but longtime fans will probably blaze right through the game.
 
Does Justin “SlasherJPC” Celani share Buddy’s sentiments about The Stick of Truth? Find out by watching his review of the PC version!
 
 


 

Adding to the impressiveness is the authenticity of the town of South Park itself. Trey Parker and Matt Stone were heavily involved in the development of The Stick of Truth,  and it shows. Everything is as it should be. South Park Elementary, Bijou Theatre, all the characters’ homes, etc.—everything is there. Most of the buildings in the town can be entered. I’m pretty certain that all the characters ever featured in the show are in the game.
After players create their male (girls have cooties) character, whom Cartman names “Douchebag”, a name which cannot be changed, and go through a short tutorial, they are free to explore the town at their leisure. Quests are available everywhere. Father Maxi tasked me with finding Jesus. I had to literally find Jesus, who was hiding. These are the kinds of quests you’ll find in The Stick of Truth:  endearingly dumb, but useful. They usually lead to you gaining more friends in the game’s version of Facebook, which in turn leads to you unlocking more combat perks.
I laughed a lot in The Stick of Truth,  mostly when it was mocking pop culture and video games, but some jokes fall flat. Butters mentions at one point in the game that some boys are probably raping Kenny. He then proceeds to keep repeating himself. It wasn’t funny in the first place, and it really wasn’t funny after the fourth or fifth time. Not that that line is the most offensive thing in The Stick of Truth—far from it. Some people have said they are shocked the game managed to keep its Mature rating, and they aren’t kidding. I’ll admit I laughed at a lot of the sheer insanity in The Stick of Truth,  but my mouth was agape for a large majority of it as well.
 
 

SpawnFirst Recommends…

Buy

 

South Park: The Stick of Truth  is the game “South Park” fans have been waiting for. It also happens to be a great turn-based RPG and one of my favorite games of 2014 so far. The Stick of Truth  is truly one of those games that gives no f***s. Some people will cry foul because of its wholly offensive nature. Some people will get a kick out of it and just enjoy it for what it is. As a game, it’s fantastic, so my work here is done.

 

Make sure to check out the below video too see some cut content (obvious SPOILERS, so beware), and the unboxing of the South Park: Stick of Truth Wizard Edition, courtesy of SlasherJPC!