Platform Reviewed: PC
Platforms Available: PC, PS3, PS4, Xbox One, Xbox 360
Publisher: Ubisoft
Developer: Obsidian Entertainment, South Park Digital Studios
Release Date: March 4, 2014
MSRP: Php 1,309 (Steam)
Inspired from a 1997 pure adult comedy cartoon created by Trey Parker and Matt Stone, South Park: The Stick of Truth is a role-playing game that I didn’t expect to be as awesome like its cartoon. From a person who didn’t watch even a single episode of South Park but watched the movie (Bigger, Longer, & Uncut), The Stick of Truth will make you laugh in every way possible with its famous dialogues, toilet humor, political jokes, and stupidity of mature men and women from the popular kids in town: Cartman, Kyle, Butters, Stan, and Kenny.
South Park: The Stick Of Truth was released on 2014. I didn’t have the interest of it until I saw the trailer of Fractured But Whole in Ubisoft’s E3 2016 Press Conference. I’ll put the total score from Metacritic at the end of the review and also my own score for the game.
At the start of the game, it shows you a classic intro to give you a glimpse of the beginning of your adventure in the land of Zaron. A new kid is prophesized to be the one to aid the cause of the humans of Kupa Keep against the Drow Elves of Larion to protect the Stick of Truth from the grasps of the enemy. As the “new kid” in town, you have to play dress-up your South Park character… yes, in this game you get to have your own South Park kid. Cool, isn’t it?
The game starts off pretty simple with a family who just recently moved in town of South Park. A kid, who’s entirely silent throughout the game, discovers himself alone in town and meeting new friends such as Cartman. With kids in South Park playing some kind of medieval-fantasy actual role-playing game, the new kid is named as “Douchebag”. Unfortunately, you can’t pick a name for your character or even select the gender of your choice. It’s how sexist the game can be and also how the story is laid out – you’re playing with other boys in a “role-playing” game. It’s not bad entirely because the plot can really make you keep holding on your controller to finish it.
Every environment and detail in The Stick Of Truth is loyal to South Park itself. From the streets to all the character, and houses. Yes, I know it’s obvious, but you all know that there are games that would have these 3D animation that makes everything all so “wow”. But in The Stick Of Truth, you find yourself playing the whole episode of a South Park show. It never did disappoint.
The mechanics and gameplay are surprisingly easy to get used to. A turn-based RPG classic with items you can loot, equipment and weapons you can use, and abilities that you can hilariously laugh out. From the Assault and Battery to my most favorite ability of all – the Bull Rush. The Bull Rush can instantly damage the enemy’s armor, removing the shields, and lowers your enemy’s Defense. Each Ability can be upgraded up to 5 which will have additional perks that can be useful in your battles. It’s honestly kind of overpowered if I say so myself. The Fart magic is underused in the early to middle stages of the game, and just becomes useful in the part where you have to face off Nazi Zombies. It’s quite powerful, but it’s something that’s not a wise investment of buying Mana Potions in the early stages of the game.
And you know what makes every game really epic? It’s the game’s soundtrack. Yes. The orchestra music brings out the most powerful instrumental emotion in the game. When you listen to main theme, the tone and melody of the music can give you goosebumps. With the matching trumpet, guitar plucking, and how the music is arranged, you can remember what The Elder Scroll’s: Skyrim offered.
After you finish the main quests of this fantastic and hilarious adventure of yours in South Park, there are a lot of things that is still quite relevant to finish in the game. There are full of side quests that you will find more funny and appealing as a game. It’s one of those games where you can spend your time in to have laughter and de-stress.
It was never a waste of time playing South Park: The Stick Of Truth. In all honesty, I barely finish RPG games because of the small patience I have in accomplishing a game. But this one is worth it. With all the toilet humor and the most stupid logical thinking of the townspeople in South Park makes The Stick Of Truth a fun game to still play today.
METACRITIC Score: 85/100
This review is based on a retail copy purchased by the author on Steam.