E3 2012: South Park: The Stick of Truth Preview – THQ’s Saving Grace

52
Dan Webb

Traditional turn-based RPGs seem to have fallen by the wayside in recent years, which is an interesting turn of events seeing as the Final Fantasy series of yesteryear made a name for itself with its turn-based antics. When we heard that Obsidian Entertainment and THQ’s upcoming South Park RPG was to be turn-based, we were intrigued. When we heard that Matt Stone and Trey Parker were heavily involved, we were almost sold. Having had chance to see the collaboration in process at this year’s E3, we’re ready to hand our cash – and social lives – over now.

Instead of jumping into the shoes of one of South Park's four main characters – Stan, Kyle, Kenny and Cartman - The Stick of Truth throws you into the shoes of one of the new kids on the block and it’s your job to build his reputation and rise in the popularity ranks. We pick things up in the opening moments as the young fledgling moves into his new South Park home.

“What do you say we blow off the kid and go bless the new bedroom, if you know what I mean?” says the protagonist’s father. “Mommy and daddy are going to go upstairs and wrestle, darling, why don’t you go out and make some new friends?” follows up the mother. “Yes, I’m sure there’s a lot of great kids in this town, go meet them!” utters the father as the door slams in his face.

“GO MAKE SOME FRIENDS!!” shouts a half naked father out of the upstairs bedroom as the protagonist tries to get back inside the house. Noticing a group of young townfolk play-fighting outside their new home, the main character – who you can name whatever you want and we’re going to call Jim for the purposes of this preview – tries to interact with them, only to get shot down as he wasn’t cool enough. Being a bit of a social outcast himself, Butters is your way into the inner circle of the town’s cool kids and tells Jim that the Wizard King wants to see him. Cartman is, of course, the Wizard King.

Cartman’s base actually consists of a backyard, fresh with stables – with a cat defecating in them – and various clan members dotted around, most notably Scott, whose special power is the power of diabetes. “The power of diabetes is mostly a gift and a curse,” notes Scott. “But mostly a curse.”

It even has a ‘pool of vision,’ which if you interact with Cartman will scream at you. Interact with it enough and Cartman will scream out for his mom. It’s a good indication of the level of detail Obsidian has put into the game. It’s worth noting that Cartman looks, sounds and acts exactly like he does in the TV show. In fact, the cutscenes are like watching an episode of South Park.

Cartman’s first act with Jim is to ask him his what his name is and regardless of what you enter, he remarks, “you entered douchebag, is that correct?” Clicking “no” resulted in the following response, “Are you sure you want to keep the name douchebag?” Again, putting “no” resulted in the following: “Very well, douchebag.” It wouldn’t be a clan without an initiation either, which believe it or not, is to go out and get Cartman some Kung Pao chicken.

It’s a class-based and turn-based RPG, so players can choose between four classes: cleric, fighter, mage and thief. There’s an incredible amount of customisability also, with players able to choose not only the usual stuff like weapons, headwear and body gear – with there being a plethora of options – but you can give them freckles, bizarre hats and even amusing facial hair. All of the armour and weaponry, as you’d expect, have different attributes and accompanying items, as well as those items having perks, so it’s a fully-fledged RPG experience.

Before you can get going to pick up the Kung Pao chicken, the “Elves” attack and come in search of the Stick of Truth. After exiting Cartman’s tent, you’ll not only see a kid urinating in the ‘pool of vision’ but you’ll see the Elves going to town on Scott and the others. It’s time to step in.

Like I said previously, it’s a turn-based game, but there are timed elements involved too. So after initiating the battle to save Scott from the beating of his life, the game descends into a turn-based affair. A perfect block – a button press at the most opportune time – when an arrow is approaching can reflect damage, while using the ‘assault & battery’ move for instance lets him hit baseballs at their foes; again, with a timed element to maximise damage. It’s traditional turn-based stuff, but with humour, and of course, you’ll be rewarded with XP, items and money if you’re victorious. In ridding the base of danger, Jim levels up to the rank of “Butthole.”

Jumping forward a few hours, we find Jim with Cartman – who’s now in his party – at the South Park Cemetery to take on the Goths and a bunch of high-levelled vampire kids. Using some bottle rockets to enter the church and walking past a memorial for Miss Choksondik – who died in “The Simpsons Already Did It” episode – the boys are ready for a more intense battle.

Armed with a Vibroblade from Cartman’s mom, which is laced with some toxic lube, which acts as a poision, the boys take on the Goths. The group that the boys take on use a lot more strategy than the standard fare in the aforementioned fight. With an Elder Vampire – who can summon reinforcements – and a healer – who sits in the second row whilst healing allies and throwing ninja stars – you really have to use your head. It’s a matter of taking down the healer as quickly as possible and then destroying any healer reinforcements the Elder summons, all while chipping away at the vampire mini-boss’s health.

Each move is even a nod to various South Park lore and is all part of the juvenile fun. You can Rochambeau foes – kick them in the balls, essentially – get Cartman to use his Burning Cloud move – which is effectively a lit fart – and of course, the pièce de résistance is the Wrecked ‘Em move – where Jim summons Mr Slave to come in and swallow the Elder Vampire with his ass, just like he did to Paris Hilton in the 'Stupid Spoiled Whore Video Playset' episode. A brilliant and perfect example of all the nods Obsidian has made to the show's subject matter in the game.

South Park: The Stick of Truth has all the makings to be not just one hell of a licensed game or one hell of an RPG, but also, just one hell of a game. The early signs are that Obsidian’s turn-based affair – which won our RPG of E3 2012, incidentally – is as close to you being in a South Park episode that you’re ever likely to get. It’s got the humour, it’s got the visuals, it’s littered with nods to the TV show, and the turn-based gameplay seems to suit the franchise perfectly. If you love South Park, you’re sure to love this. If you love RPGs too, you’re guaranteed to be in heaven. It’s early doors yet, but for ailing publisher THQ, The Stick of Truth could be somewhat of a saving grace. We’re excited to see more of what Obsidian has up its sleeves.

South Park: The Stick of Truth is scheduled for a Q1 2013 release.

Comments
52
  • The amount of want Is growing with every preview I see.
  • Simpsons already did it. :P
  • Summoning Mr. Slave is going to be freaking hilarious.
  • antonio banderas
  • you will respect my authoritah! can't wait for release date. :)
  • I believe THQ said this needs to sell 2.5 million copies to break even. While I'd like it to sell waaaay more than that for Obsidian's sake who also isn't doing that well, it's not going to happen.
  • I love South Park but I haaate RPG's.. just sayin
  • RPG and South Park. Yup, it sure does sound like heaven.
  • Ectoplasm everywhere.
  • @#6 - I believe it's 2 million, besides, it's South Park, it has mainstream appeal.
  • I'm just glad it does not have an unwanted Multiplayer mode unlike most games these days.I hope it does well and can be supported with Dlc post launch.
  • It's such a massive shame it's out next year.. =/
  • awesome.. glad its turn based
  • Finger Bang! Bang, Bang, Finger Bang, Bang. . Bang. . . Bang. . . I'm Going to Finger Bang, Bang you into my life South Park: The Stick of Truth!
  • what seems to be the officer problem --- cant wait 4 this game
  • what seems to be the officer problem --- cant wait 4 this game
  • Day one purchase for me!!! Loved South Park since season one, and it looks like this will be a game for both the fans of the show as well as anybody that likes turnbased rpg's... Just announce a sweet collectors edition and let me throw some money at you guys!
  • @11 There will be DLC, actually. From what I remember reading, there will be three pieces that are timed exclusives to the 360, and there's one more piece that is completely exclusive to the 360, which is based on Mysterion (and I assume the rest of Coon & Friends).
  • God I need this game so much
  • I don't think I have ever been as excited for a game as I am for this one! Can we please get pre-order Chinpokomon dolls?
  • I would be absolutely jumping on this game... if it weren't being made by Obsidian. I've been so burned in the past by them, I'm tentative.
  • What's this? An honest to god turn based RPG? Man, when's the last time we got one of these on 360? By my count it's been since Lost Odyssey. (For the nitpicky, I am not counting strategy RPGs like Agarest War, and Resonance of Fate crossed a little too far into action to make the cut.) I may not be the hugest South Park fan, but the allure of finally getting a real RPG again is intriguing. I'll keep an eye on this one.
  • Sooooo, it's basically Mario RPG with South Park? That sounds .... actually pretty fucking fantastic!
  • @6. I think it will sell well over 2.5 million. Some people will buy it because they like RPG's, some people will buy it cause they like South Park and some people will buy it for both and if you put those people together I think this game will do pretty good.
  • I want to preorder this game, but part of me feels like it will be very short or too easy or have little replayability. Turn based RPGs are what I grew up on and south park as well, but the length is the only thing that might worry me.
  • In love with South Park and turn based RPGs. Day 1, without question. I BROKE THE DAM!
  • This is definitely a day 1 buy. If they make a special edition they won't be able to take my money from me fast enough...
  • I'm too mature for this shit!
  • I'm not. Day 1, unless this comes out within 2 weeks of Bioshock.
  • "lu lu lu i got some apples, lu lu lu you got some too, lu lu lu lets all make some apple sauce, take off our pants and lu lu lu. March 5th can't come soon enough!
  • Sounds amazing! Can't remember the last time I was so excited for a game. "My power is to have all the powers I want..."
  • I hope they do better DLC than they shat out for Saints Row TT.
  • I for one love southpark and rpg's gettin more excited bout this everytime I see a review can't wait for this
  • Like 10 said this is south park it has the potential to make silly amounts of money if they market it right =)
  • A vibroblade laced with poison.... Yep this is my birthday gift. And it will piss off my mother to no end :p
  • @28 "Too mature" for South Park, but not for The Gunstringer, Kinect Rush: Snapshot, Fruit Ninja Kinect, Battle Stuff, Kinect Adventures, Kinect Sports, Googly Eyes, Avatar Kinect, Bobble Head, Build A Buddy, Kinect Me, Avatar: TLA: TBE, Where's Waldo, etc... OR maybe, just maybe, South Park is too mature for you? OP: Ive loved the South Park games back on the 64 and on. So this may be a D1B for me.
  • turn based fighting =/ not gonna buy it. I hate those type of games
  • Squee! A turn-based RPG, pretty sure FFX was the last good, pure TBRPG. Just worried about Obsidian developing it. Did see on the wiki that Obsidian is making a Wheel of Time game too! So, if SP:SoT is great, I will have ridiculously high hopes for that game too.
  • I hated turn based RPG's my whole life until I played Lost Odyssey and now I love them! I also am a huge South Park fan so this is great.
  • now when you get the game...just top it off with a little...creme fraiche
  • sold
  • Stan's dad That is all :)
  • This is one of the must-buys of next year! At least in my book!
  • I am buying this for my Okama GameSphere. "I have no idea what's goin on...."
  • As long as you get to fight ManBearPig
  • Sounds good, big fan of south park and RPGs.
  • @46 it's some sort of pig bear man
  • Sweeeeet
  • its half man, half bear, half pig.
  • Always found turn based RPG's boring, but I'm a South Park fan. Right now I'm like 80% buy, and 20% not buy. I'll make my mind when I see some gameplay of these turn-based fights; if they're not excessively boring, then it's a definitive purchase...and actually, it'd be my first RPG purchase ever.
  • @51 - I feel the same way about turned base. Except more on the extreme side, I cannot stand to play turned base, and now I have to wait to see how good this game is, to know if I'm going to have to suffer through, just to play the game.
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