Review: South Park The Stick of Truth

G'day there guys and gals!

Massive draw-backs, company changes and controversial content. These are just a few of the issues South Park The Stick of Truth has had to face for quite some time since development. Australian gamers massively disappointed when content was removed and replaced with a crying koala. Even despite the missing content, mini games and occasionally swears, The Stick Of Truth continues to keep television to video game titles in the industry.

You are the New Kid, fresh to South Park after a mysterious happenings whispered by your parents occurred which has rendered you mute. Under threat of being grounded, your father forces you out the door to make friends in your new home, enter Butters and the game begins!
One of the personal touches about this game is after the opening cut scene, players will be able to make their own character. While gender is fixed to boy (Don't worry ladies, you'll get your chance later in the game), the customisation is fairly extensive. While not as large as many other games, there's still plenty enough to satisfy any gamer, with plenty more as you continue playing the game. There are a mass amount of costumes to wear, dye with crayons and tag different stickers that apply in-combat  changes such as higher defense, shields, attacks, elemental attack ect.

The controls and gameplay can only be described as "Old school FRP" or just standard Role Playing Game, much like the older Final Fantasy titles. Each character gets a turn to attack, defend themselves or eradicate/add in-game effects such as Bleeding, Grossed Out/regenerate PP ect. Attacks are situated to Melee and Ranged, with three standard attack forms such as Normal, Power and Magic, each having their own ability (Depending on the weaponry) with special abilities in regards with your class and magic ability. Classes in the game are drawn down to four: Fighter, Mage, Thief and in standard South Park style, Jew.

The story, by far, truly makes this game; newcomers or old fans will find something to love and enjoy over as they play. With the fleshed out map of most of the town, the game truly feels like one large episode of the show, even with the extensive side missions such as defeating  Mongolians for Mr Kim, finding Jesus (Which can also earn you an achievement as a specific class), on the hunt for ManBearPig and so many more. The script and voice actors are all from the tv show, Matt Parker and Trey Stone sparing fans no doubt that they've put in their fair share into the game's creation, with many throwbacks, jokes and collectable "Junk" referencing the past of the characters. With side missions, general exploration and personal time solving puzzles or buying new equipment, you can expect to play fifteen to twenty hours of gameplay and even at the end, it's still not over, with South Park and Canada open to you to explore and complete whatever side missions you have left, or simply sit back and enjoy your facebook wall full of jokes from the characters you've befriended.

Throughout the game, players can also have a main character from either side of the Humans or the Elves follow and assist through the game, each with their own special ability and attacks. With either Butters, Cartman, Stan, Kyle, Jimmy or the lovely Princess Kenny at your side, there are plenty of moments in game where a particular move may just have you on your knees weak from laughter.
Sound effects are what you can expect from the genre of Fantasy Role Playing, swords clash loudly and "magic" definitely humorous, the traditional South Park sound effects also fit in nicely into the world such as animals, walking ect. Musical score ranges throughout the South Park world, with large orchestra flourishes to standard South Park musical cues, and even expect a few modern ones to make their way in the game, but this is leaning dangerously close to spoiler territory.

South Park The Stick of Truth is a prime example at how Movie/TV titles that appear on our consoles/PCs should be, setting latest titles such as Thief and Rambo The Video Game to much shame. Dedicated to the fans and still have extra to newcomers. While there is no multiplayer, players should have no problem finding something to do or explore, with the Forbidden Forest hiding many dangers to find after your journey is through. This is a definite must buy, even for causal gamers/fans of the show, even if your country has censored many parts of the game, for the replay value is unimaginable.

Out of 10, I give South Park The Stick Of Truth a 9/10

+ Storyline is original & attractive, unable to put down
+Gameplay is simplistic but addictive
+Lore gives a lot to experience
+Musical score is fricking awesome!
+Extensive side missions
+Customisation is enjoyable
+Kenny-Hime no kawaii desu ne!
-Menu Navigation could've been cleaner
-Few game freezes/glitches here and there

South Park The Stick of Truth is out now for $80