South Park: The Stick of Truth - reviews of 'glorious' tie-in game
As funny, filthy and outrageous as the show, this 'fantastic' TV spin-off game hits it out of the park
What you need to know
A new role-playing video game based on the hit American animated television series South Park is released in the UK this week. The Stick of Truth is scripted by South Park creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone, who also provide the voices of the characters.
The game takes place in the town of South Park, with fantasy role-playing tropes explored through the characters' imaginations. A new kid arrives in town prompting a number of conspiracy theories involving the government, aliens and Taco Bell.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Players form pairs with South Park characters and take turns battling enemies, including Gingers, crazy homeless guys, and aliens.
What the critics like
Here is a solid action role-player and a fantastic South Park tie-in that's just "as funny and outrageous as the show", says Roger Hargreaves in Metro. Unlike most film or TV spin-off games, The Stick Of Truth manages to hit it out of the park.
"With a controller in your hand, you are almost literally – gloriously – playing a 14-hour episode of South Park," says IGN. It is funny, shocking, self-effacing, and pretty much everything you could ask for from a South Park game.
"It all adds up to a game that is a constant source of grubby pleasure for the duration of its story mode," says Dan Whitehead on Eurogamer. The show's 2D world is recreated superbly and there's unlikely to be a funnier - or filthier - game any time soon.
What they don’t like
The script and comedy are great, but underneath it is a slightly underwhelming RPG, very reminiscent of Nintendo's Mario & Luigi handheld series, says The Guardian. The lack of challenge in the battle system hints at one of the real issues with The Stick of Truth - "the game is much more simple than it looks".
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Today's political cartoons - November 10, 2024
Cartoons Sunday's cartoons - civic duty, uncertain waters, and more
By The Week US Published
-
5 ladylike cartoons about women's role in the election
Cartoons Artists take on the political gender gap, Lady Liberty, and more
By The Week US Published
-
The right to die: what can we learn from other countries?
The Explainer A look at the world's assisted dying laws as MPs debate Kim Leadbeater's proposed bill
By The Week Published
-
The Count of Monte Cristo review: 'indecently spectacular' adaptation
The Week Recommends Dumas's classic 19th-century novel is once again given new life in this 'fast-moving' film
By The Week UK Published
-
Death of England: Closing Time review – 'bold, brash reflection on racism'
The Week Recommends The final part of this trilogy deftly explores rising political tensions across the country
By The Week UK Published
-
Sing Sing review: prison drama bursts with 'charm, energy and optimism'
The Week Recommends Colman Domingo plays a real-life prisoner in a performance likely to be an Oscars shoo-in
By The Week UK Published
-
Kaos review: comic retelling of Greek mythology starring Jeff Goldblum
The Week Recommends The new series captures audiences as it 'never takes itself too seriously'
By The Week UK Published
-
Blink Twice review: a 'stylish and savage' black comedy thriller
The Week Recommends Channing Tatum and Naomi Ackie stun in this film on the hedonistic rich directed by Zoë Kravitz
By The Week UK Published
-
Shifters review: 'beautiful' new romantic comedy offers 'bittersweet tenderness'
The Week Recommends The 'inventive, emotionally astute writing' leaves audiences gripped throughout
By The Week UK Published
-
How to do F1: British Grand Prix 2025
The Week Recommends One of the biggest events of the motorsports calendar is back and better than ever
By Rebekah Evans, The Week UK Published
-
Twisters review: 'warm-blooded' film explores dangerous weather
The Week Recommends The film, focusing on 'tornado wranglers', stars Daisy Edgar-Jones and Glen Powell
By The Week UK Published