It is finally time to head on down to South Park.
Today sees the release of South Park: The Stick of Truth and it looks like the gods of comedy have shone down on the game. Despite some technical issues (resulting in the “not yet” score by Kotaku), the first reviews of South Park are saying it is a true representation of the show and one of the funniest games made.
Sweet.
IGN– 9/10
“Speaking of the quiet Colorado mountain town, it is itself one of the stars of The Stick of Truth. For the first time in the series’ history, it has been fully mapped out and given official geographical context. As a superfan who’s seen every episode of the show, I spent the first two to three hours of Stick of Truth exploring every kid’s house and each recognizable location, and from Stan’s bedroom closet (be sure to check it!) to Stark’s Pond and South Park Elementary, they’re all packed incredibly densely with in-jokes. Even every piece of inventory junk loot I collected is a show reference with a funny description attached to it.”
Polygon– 8.5/10
“But as well constructed as the mechanics are, Stick of Truth work so well as a South Park vessel because it puts the story first. Without spoiling anything, the boys’ game soon triggers a crisis that threatens not only the town of South Park but the planet itself.”
Game Informer– 8.5/10
“I can’t think of a better way to bring this franchise to gaming consoles. The RPG format allows for a ton of funny items and sidequests, the objectives are unlike anything else in the genre, everything moves along at a solid pace, and the overall feel is distinctly South Park. It’s one of the most faithful adaptations of a license I’ve seen, and it ranks among the best comedic games ever released.”
Kotaku– NOT YET
“In general, wandering through South Park is a ton of fun—which, for me, just made those stuttering issues even more annoying. I wanted to take my time, saunter around the city, and soak in every moment of the game, but it’s tough to really get into a game like Stick of Truth when things don’t run smoothly.”
EGM– 8.5/10
“The Stick of Truth is finally the game Parker and Stone have wanted to represent their beloved comedy series. Not only does it pay tribute to some of the show’s best moments, but it also builds new lore on top of that. As a game—and not just a story—it certainly could be better, but South Park fans will still feel immensely satisfied with the effort.”
Joystiq– 3.5/5
“How you’ll feel about South Park: The Stick of Truth comes down to how you prefer the peanut butter to chocolate ratio in this weird little flavor mash-up. To get the most out of it, you have to buy into its world; you have to play pretend. More than that, you’re going to want to know the kids you’re playing with. If you’re well-versed in South Park history and can imagine cookies as a “health potion,” you’re off to a good start. If you can also forgive the repetitive nature of combat and some uninspired quests, it’s worth taking up arms – or dildos – for The Stick of Truth‘s hilarious, disgusting adventure.“
