Penny Arcade's On the Rain-Slick Precipice of Darkness 3

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Penny Arcade's On the Rain-Slick Precipice of Darkness 3 is a single player role playing game with fantasy, comedy and historical themes. It was developed by Zeboyd Games and was released on June 25, 2012. It received mostly positive reviews from critics and positive reviews from players.

The Startling Developments Detective Agency springs into action as On the Rain-Slick Precipice of Darkness 3 begins, set in motion by a call from a mysterious source. The ever escalating perils on the Rain-Slick Precipice of Darkness will season our tender heroes to their very core! Expect cunning evil doctors, a series of unexplainable thefts, a mysterious book of power, enigmatic supernatural fo…

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Single-Player

Penny Arcade's On the Rain-Slick Precipice of Darkness 3 screenshot

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87%

Audience ScoreBased on 498 reviews

story58 positive mentions

grinding24 negative mentions

Unique and well-balanced turn-based RPG combat system with strategic depth and class customization.
Humorous and witty writing consistent with Penny Arcade's style, enhancing character interactions and enemy descriptions.
Classic 16-bit retro RPG graphics and nostalgic soundtrack that appeal to fans of old school JRPGs.

Major change in art style and gameplay from the first two games, which may disappoint fans expecting continuity.
Repetitive combat encounters and occasional grind, possibly making the gameplay monotonous or slow-paced.
Some issues with game interface and menu navigation, plus occasional bugs and lack of a quit option in-game.

story
193 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
30%
68%
2%
The story across the series starts as a classic Lovecraftian RPG and evolves into a much weirder, quirky narrative with dark humor and satire. While the plot is often described as convoluted, verbose, and sometimes difficult to follow, especially without prior knowledge of earlier episodes, it is praised for its unique humor, character development, and engaging progression. Fans appreciate the continuation and depth of the story, though some find certain entries less compelling or feel the storytelling is overshadowed by lengthy dialogue and a shift in style.
- “All four games follow the same story, which starts off like a fairly classic Lovecraftian RPG in episodes 1 and 2, but transforms into something much, much weirder in 3, and especially 4.”
- “The story is excellent, the monster names and attack names are all very punny, and the class system is very interesting.”
- “The story includes the end of the world, wicked dimensions, ghosts, demons, hobos, mimes and all the other darkest parts of all possible realities, spiced with a lot of sarcasm, silliness and fun.”
- “From an outsider's perspective, the setting, characters, and story all felt bland and poorly introduced.”
- “Not worth playing through for a story I've been given no reason to care about.”
- “The story is more nonsense about killing gods and the apocalypse and it is still as verbose as it always was.”
humor
175 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
98%
2%
The game's humor, heavily influenced by Penny Arcade's signature style, is widely praised for its clever, witty, and often absurd dialogue, enemy descriptions, and pop-culture references that deliver consistent laughs and charming banter. While some find the humor juvenile or overly verbose, most agree it enhances the nostalgic, old-school JRPG experience with a quirky, self-aware tone that remains enjoyable throughout the adventure. Overall, the humor is a standout feature that shapes the game's unique personality and appeals especially to fans of irreverent, lowbrow comedy.
- “All the shortcomings are forgiven for simply hilarious descriptions of the enemies (worth playing for this only!). There is also a bonus campaign, which is recommended to play after the main, but there are no spoilers in it, only a feeling of sadness or rather even lousiness, wow.”
- “Combining the creative power of Penny Arcade with Zeboyd's love for old-school role-playing games creates a package of hilarious weirdness and nostalgic vibrations (with a couple hints of modernity) that feels neither derivative nor stale.”
- “The dialogue and the enemy descriptions remind the player that this is a humor game, which is easy to forget because the gameplay is really solid.”
- “Totally unfunny and ugly graphics.”
- “Dry and unfunny.”
- “Unless you are a big fan (see also: lore god) of the universe of Penny Arcade's world of stupidly unfunny mundane Lovecraftian-wannabe (but nowhere near as good) storytelling, you will find this game extremely boring.”
gameplay
105 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
31%
60%
9%
The gameplay offers a polished, nostalgia-driven turn-based JRPG experience reminiscent of classic Final Fantasy titles, enhanced by strategic mechanics like speed-based action bars and interrupts. While generally enjoying solid combat depth and a satisfying class system, some players find the gameplay repetitive or overly easy, with mixed feelings about its linearity and pacing. Overall, it provides engaging, accessible mechanics that complement the game's humor and story, making it a strong choice for fans of traditional RPGs.
- “The changes are not all bad though: combat, while still turn based, has been enhanced by the addition of various classes and gives far more variety and depth to the gameplay than either of its predecessors managed.”
- “The gameplay is clever, the writing is hilarious, and the system is just simple enough to keep casual players from being overwhelmed, yet deep enough that us hardcore RPG fanatics won't be disappointed.”
- “With the exact same, if not even better quality of humor found in the Hothead games, awesome battle mechanics, a quirky cast of characters and monsters, and a well-written storyline, this game, like Cthulhu before it, puts Zeboyd on the top of the 16-bit realm.”
- “This title has no humour, the gameplay is just hours of mindless Final Fantasy-style fights, and there are no secrets to discover.”
- “Ugly retro pixel graphics, terribly shallow, lame JRPG gameplay (at least it's more polished than most RPG Maker games, since it's not using that engine).”
- “Resolution is fixed, and you can't alt+tab to escape the awful gameplay, which is a cardinal sin.”
graphics
87 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
28%
64%
8%
The graphics of this game mark a clear departure from the first two episodes’ 3D, comic-inspired style, adopting a retro 16-bit pixel art aesthetic reminiscent of classic SNES RPGs. While some fans find this shift charming and fitting for the game’s tone, others view it as a downgrade, missing the prior detailed art and visual characterization. Overall, the simplified pixel graphics are appreciated by those who enjoy nostalgic RPG visuals, though they don't appeal to everyone.
- “Graphically the game looks as it should - blocky, cutesy, and by dint of predating the worst of the 'pixel art' genre, not overblown.”
- “From what I can see the graphics took an oldschool sprite look compared to the previous games' more 3D look but that's fine as it only adds to the charm of the game.”
- “Nice 16-bit style graphics, very good writing, (hilarious at times), and top notch music.”
- “What an awful follow-up to a wonderful duology of games that were the first two episodes. It doesn't even really follow up on the original game's story, and the graphics are a straight downgrade. Gabe's art style does not work in the pixel format.”
- “The retro graphics don't really work either.”
- “First, graphics are your run-of-the-mill, RPG Maker junk, losing the style and feel from the first two (Hothead-designed) games.”
music
52 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
44%
48%
8%
The game's music receives mixed reviews, with many praising its catchy, fitting chiptune soundtrack and improvements over previous entries, especially highlighting compositions by Hyperduck and Alex Mauer. However, some criticize the repetitive looping, lack of variety between battle tracks, and occasional audio issues that detract from the experience. Overall, the music is considered a strong and enjoyable aspect that complements the retro style and gameplay despite some flaws.
- “Colosseum is fun the 2 times you clear it, and the music is 10/10.”
- “Breakdown: great music, writing, graphics, very in-depth combat system, and everything a die-hard Penny Arcade fan could ever want.”
- “The perfect blend of good programming and interesting writing, combined with amazing music by Alex Mauer.”
- “Actually an insult to call it music at all.”
- “The music here is better than the previous games in the fact that it actually has music, but they did a terrible job looping any of the songs and they just come to a stop and restart, which is very off putting.”
- “I had to turn off the sound on my speakers because there is no in-game option to adjust the music volume.”
grinding
26 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
4%
4%
92%
Grinding in this game is a mixed experience: while it lacks traditional random encounters and tedious farming due to restored stats and items after battles, many players still find the combat repetitive and grind-heavy, especially compared to previous installments. Some appreciate the tactical combat and optional leveling on easier difficulties, but others feel the overall experience becomes boring and tedious with prolonged grinding sessions. Intentional design choices reduce classic RPG grind frustrations, though the gameplay can still feel repetitive for some.
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “After enjoying the first two games with their fun dialogue, good JRPG combat and unique style, this third installment just feels way too grindy and a tad lackluster in execution.”
- “Looks like they took out the humour of previous episodes and replaced it with repetitive, grindy combat.”
- “While the enemies are more interesting and varied this time around, you find yourself fighting waves upon waves in a very grindy motion.”
atmosphere
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
75%
25%
Users highlight the games' strong Lovecraftian-inspired atmosphere that effectively evokes deep emotions, though some note a decline in atmospheric quality in later episodes compared to the first two. The unique setting and mood play a crucial role in their enjoyment of these RPGs.
- “These games evoke strong emotions and atmosphere, with a healthy dose of Lovecraftian horror.”
- “It has such a different atmosphere.”
- “Most RPGs I love are due to their story, setting, and atmosphere.”
replayability
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game offers limited replayability overall, but it provides enough challenge to keep players engaged for additional playthroughs.
- “There is not a ton of replayability, but certainly enough if you're looking to challenge yourself.”
- “There is not a ton of replayability, but certainly enough if you're looking to challenge yourself.”
- “Not much replayability.”
emotional
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game delivers a powerful emotional experience, combining nostalgic humor and deep strategy with a heart-wrenching ending that leaves a lasting impact. Players recall its profound grip even years later, highlighting its effective storytelling and emotional resonance.
- “Eight years on I can still recall how profoundly that game gripped me, and I am not an overly emotional person.”
- “A game that starts off as a humor-laced throwback to the SNES-era RPG, takes a right turn into some seriously solid character customization, party tactics and heavily rewards clever strategy, then the tracks end and dip the entire game off a cliff into a heart-wrenching ending that delivers on the fundamental promises of its narrative.”
- “"I'll play something better then!" and well... I tried it a few more times... it didn't work... after about a month without touching it, it... it... worked!”
character development
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Character development receives mixed feedback, with some praising its depth and integration with a compelling storyline, while others feel it takes a backseat to humor, prioritizing entertainment over substance.
- “A classic RPG with an amazing storyline; character development is superb, complemented by humorous details.”
- “There are some decent attempts at character development, however the priority is clearly on humor over substance.”
stability
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game suffers from significant stability issues, with users reporting frequent crashes and even failure to load. Overall, it is highly unstable and frustrating to play.

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80%Critics’ scoreBased on 1 critic reviews

Penny Arcades On the Rain-Slick Precipice of Darkness 3 review
Gamesradar.com
80%

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12h Median play time

11h Average play time

10-12h Spent by most gamers

*Based on 6 analyzed playthroughs

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Frequently Asked Questions

Penny Arcade's On the Rain-Slick Precipice of Darkness 3 is a role playing game with fantasy, comedy and historical themes.

Penny Arcade's On the Rain-Slick Precipice of Darkness 3 is available on PC, Mac OS, Phone, iPad and others.

On average players spend around 11 hours playing Penny Arcade's On the Rain-Slick Precipice of Darkness 3.

Penny Arcade's On the Rain-Slick Precipice of Darkness 3 was released on June 25, 2012.

Penny Arcade's On the Rain-Slick Precipice of Darkness 3 was developed by Zeboyd Games.

Penny Arcade's On the Rain-Slick Precipice of Darkness 3 has received mostly positive reviews from players and mostly positive reviews from critics. Most players liked this game for its story but disliked it for its grinding.

Penny Arcade's On the Rain-Slick Precipice of Darkness 3 is a single player game.

Similar games include Cthulhu Saves the World, Breath of Death VII, Cosmic Star Heroine, Chained Echoes, Epic Battle Fantasy 4 and others.

Penny Arcade's On the Rain-Slick Precipice of Darkness 3

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