A funny South Park sequel that almost surpasses its predecessor
The South Park: The Fractured but Whole game is a side-scrolling 2D game, but do not let that put you off. It is a wild ride, hilarious, and probably one of the most varied games ever made. The Stick of Truth put the player through a massive amount of scenarios, from watching a streaker run around while Kenny’s back story is being told, to finding Jesus and then rejecting him like a bad date at the prom. The Fractured But Whole game seems to go further, but in a more pointed way.
Why doesn’t it surpass The Stick Of Truth game?
Many people will argue that the South Park: The Fractured but Whole game surpasses the Stick of Truth, but the fact is that both games are equally good, equally fun, and equally exciting. The only difference is that when the first was released, people legitimately said they have never played a game like this before–but they cannot say the same for the sequel. Is that a flaw? No it is not, but it is certainly something that the first has and the second doesn’t. The game is a really good RPG game. The side quests are bags of fun, and the non-stop gags, jokes and references are simply hilarious. Even if only one out of ten jokes hits home, you will still be laughing every ten minutes. They have squeezed a lot of content from their shows into the game, and as you can see by the trailer, they have also referenced a great deal of content from the Marvel and DC movies and production companies.
Do you have to be a South Park fan to love it?
You do not have to be a South Park fan to love South Park: The Fractured but Whole, to understand it, or to play it. Every single joke stands on its own, and each reference is as applicable to fans as it is to people that have never heard of South Park. For example, non-South Park fans will understand references to comic book movies and how they are produced. The only benefit that South Park fans enjoy over non-fans (besides the novelty) is that they will get the jokes faster. For example, a person that has never heard of South Park may not know what PC principle is, but once he has told his first gag or done his first funny thing, any and all players will understand it and get it. The graphics are very sophisticated, despite the fact it is a 2D side scrolling game, and much of the scenery and environment is either destructible or partially destroyable. The game has an 18 rating because despite the fact that it is clearly a cartoon, there is still plenty of sex, violence and bad language. This is not a game for kids, and most kids won’t understand the adult themes and references either. The production values are far higher than what hardcore gamers have come to expect, both with the game and during the cut scenes.
Conclusions – as good as the first and just as much fun
After the Stick of Truth, people were crying out for more, and that is exactly what Matt, Trey, and Obsidian have given them. The game is just as funny, just as well made, just as exciting and just as amazing as the first. The storyline is probably the best of any game of the last 10 years, even if it is not the most sophisticated. They have genuinely put the entertainment value back into gaming because you will be entertained throughout.
