South Park: Stick of Truth Review Round-Up
Everyone seems to love Obsidian's South Park RPG
In our review of Ubisoft-published South Park role playing game The Stick of Truth, we called it "a funny, involving and occasionally warm videogame" adding: "It's not just hilarious, novel and a new way to enjoy the world of South Park, it is complex, difficult and original."
Other reviews from around the web have been similarly positive about the game – which endured a disrupted production and numerous release date shifts.
"It is, in other words, an absolutely note-perfect adaptation of the legendarily scatological TV show into an interactive form. Previous South Park games have imitated the crass humour and borrowed the catchphrases, but missed the deeper layers of satire and the odd sweetness that binds the foul-mouthed whole together. Characters said familiar things, farts were farted, but the dirty, witty soul was missing."
"There's a suite of in-jokes, ranging from the collectable toys that ape Pokémon to more overt nods to Skyrim and even 8bit RPGs. Elsewhere, conventions are sent up gloriously. Repeating soundbites are excused by NPCs insisting they're being forced to stick to the script, while an inspired gag about audio logs only gets funnier the more you find.
"The jabs can be predictable, but they're delivered with an affectionate wink, and it's evident that Parker and Stone know and love videogames. So, yes, their irreverent take on the medium may have a few technical shortcomings, but you'll usually be grinning far too much to care."
"The Stick of Truth is the best South Park game by a country mile, but even removed from the franchise's dismal history with video games, it's also just one of the funniest games I've ever played. It pays tribute to the series' long history of memorably offensive jokes while also delivering an original story hilarious enough to stand on its own.
"Even more importantly, its gameplay is in no way an encumbrance to your enjoyment. Obsidian has fashioned an honest-to-god RPG out of the South Park universe, one with enough depth and longevity to hold your interest even when the comedy takes a breather. If the fantastically foul world of Stan, Kyle, Cartman, and Kenny still holds any appeal to you, The Stick of Truth is a game well worth your time."
Polygon noted a few bugs in the PC build they reviewed, but said: "It's a testament to The Stick of Truth that my enthusiasm for the game didn't dim in the face of those hiccups. Despite them - and the jokes that occasionally run out of steam - this is an experience that even the most casual fan of South Park is going to get something out of, and one of the truest translations from screen to game I can recall.
"At the risk of belabouring the metaphor I started with, other developers have painted Cartman's face on a stock car. Obsidian has ripped out the pistons and swapped in the still-beating heart of South Park. Other games treated the world Matt Stone and Trey Parker have crystallized over the past two decades as a prison they have to escape from. The Stick of Truth happily confines itself to that world, and manages to build a comfortable, hilarious home of its own."
CVG – 9/10
"That leads us to a brick-subtle conclusion: your enjoyment of the Stick of Truth is wholly reliant on how much you like South Park. If Lemmiwinks, super cereal and cows mean nothing to you, this is will just feel like a solid, workmanlike RPG. For everyone else, it's like getting your first Okama Gamesphere: it's the South Park game you've been waiting for since forever."
"The Stick of Truth makes one thing abundantly clear: I never want to play another South Park video game made without Trey Parker and Matt Stone's direct, intimate involvement. With a controller in your hand, you are almost literally – gloriously – playing a 14-hour episode of South Park. There's much, much more here for series fans than the uninitiated, but it's a light but good quality role-playing game in its own right.
"It is, in a way, Season 18 all by itself. It is funny, shocking, self-effacing, and pretty much everything I could ask for from a South Park game -- even if it's mostly a one-and-done experience."
"South Park: The Stick of Truth is not the second coming of role-playing games, so if you come seeking Jesus, you'll be disappointed by the veritable second-rate televangelist you find in His place. But it's as funny as the merry tune of Stratford, and more enjoyable than Butters' favourite game, Hello Kitty: Island Adventure."
"Stick of Truth is South Park's Arkham Asylum--a triumph of a licensed game that manages to fit in line with the franchise while paving new ground in gaming. In this case, the new ground is dick jokes, but--still--innovation is innovation."
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."
"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."
"Die-hard fans of South Park have waited an eternity for a good game, let alone a great one. The Stick of Truth makes you laugh throughout, but never forgets that it is a game, and engages you on that level, too. I had high hopes for this one, and Obsidian have fully delivered.
It's hard to stay mad at Ubisoft for the censorship, because you get the feeling that their quality assurance really helped this become the wonderful experience that it is. Don't be a conformist, grab this one and indulge in the stupid toilet humour and dick jokes that it possesses. One of the best games of 2014 so far."
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