The Stick of Truth: would Mr. Mackey approve?

Who does not love South Park? Four primary schools kids taking on the world and its many evils – such as Barbara Streisand and hippies – accompanied by a healthy dose of foul-mouthed profanity. What better way to celebrate the quartet than by picking up a copy of the series’ latest video game .

The initial reviews for The Stick of Truth have been overwhelmingly positive, and if you are a fan of the show the game has been touted as an absolute must buy.

Although the Grand Wizard Edition will not be available in South Africa, the standard Xbox 360, PS3, and PC version will be released on 7 March.

If you’re keen on the game, check out our pre-order roundup: South Park: The Stick of Truth SA pre-order prices

South Park: The Stick of Truth – Aggregate review scores (04/03/2014)
Platform	Metacritic
PC	84%
PS3	85%
Xbox 360	82%

Below is a roundup of review opinion from a selection of reputable websites:

GameInformer (PS3, Xbox 360, PC) 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.

Joystiq (PS3, Xbox 360, PC) 3.5/5

How you’ll feel about South Park: The Stick of Truth comes down to how you prefer the peanut butter to chocolate ratio in this weird little flavor mash-up. To get the most out of it, you have to buy into its world; you have to play pretend. More than that, you’re going to want to know the kids you’re playing with. 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.

PC Gamer (PC) 90/100 – Editor’s Choice Award

There are better RPGs out there, but no one’s buying The Stick of Truth just for that. You’ll probably buy it because you like, or at least are familiar with, South Park, and as an extension of that series it’s pretty much perfect. That it’s a decent game underneath it all too is a pleasant bonus. Above all, it’s just a wonderful piece of entertainment. It’s surprising, surreal, packed with jokes, and rarely frustrating. I didn’t get bored once across the 17 hours it took me to finish the story and most of the sidequests, and it kept me laughing consistently until the credits. If that isn’t worth 90%, I don’t know what is.

GamesRadar (PC) 4.5/5

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.

IGN (PS3, Xbox 360, PC) 9/10

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.

Eurogamer (Xbox 360) 8/10

A finicky combat system, a lack of challenge and few reasons to remain in South Park once the story is done – these minor disappointments hold The Stick of Truth back from greatness, but they don’t detract from the sheer audacious hilarity it delivers. In gameplay terms it may be soon forgotten, but there’s unlikely to be a funnier – or filthier – game any time soon.

Kyle is the King of Jews

Giant Bomb (PC) 5/5

I don’t know what else I can even say about The Stick of Truth without just spoiling the jokes for people, so let’s just call it right here. 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.

EGMR (PC) 90/100

This really should be a no brainer for fans of the South Park series, as it is easily one of the best uses of a license in gaming history. The attention to detail and the amount of love for this franchise is evident during every second of your adventure, and it will undoubtedly leave you feeling as though you’ve truly engaged with the characters in South Park, while experiencing your own little episode in its universe. Don’t miss out on this, not for a second.