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

About

In Penny Arcade's On the Rain-Slick Precipice of Darkness 3, players control a team of three heroes in a comic-styled role-playing game. The game features a unique blend of humor, pop culture references, and challenging turn-based battles. The story continues from the previous games, following the New Arcadia police in their fight against bizarre and menacing foes, with new mechanics and an updated art style.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

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

86%

Audience ScoreBased on 488 reviews

story58 positive mentions

grinding24 negative mentions

Hilarious writing and dialogue that captures the essence of Penny Arcade humor.
Engaging turn-based combat system with a unique class system that allows for strategic gameplay.
Nostalgic 16-bit graphics that evoke classic RPGs while providing a fresh experience.

Gameplay can feel repetitive and grindy, especially towards the end.
The story may be confusing for those who haven't played the first two episodes.
Some players may find the linearity of the game limiting and miss the exploration aspect.

story
193 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
30%
67%
3%
The story across the four games is a continuation of a Lovecraftian narrative that evolves from classic RPG elements into increasingly bizarre and humorous territory, particularly in the later episodes. While some players appreciate the character development and witty dialogue, others find the plot convoluted and less engaging compared to the earlier installments. Overall, the series maintains a unique charm with its blend of humor and dark themes, though opinions vary on its execution and coherence.
- “The story, setting, and characters are just perfect, whereas the gameplay is a secondary concern.”
- “The story is strong, and you don't need to have played the first two games to fully grasp it.”
- “The writing is hilarious, the story is interesting, the art is great, and it's so full of charm and fun that I couldn't put it down.”
- “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 has always been overshadowed by the massive amount of near meaningless dialogue that we tend to get in these games and that continues here as well.”
humor
173 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
98%
2%
The humor in the game is widely praised for its quirky charm, clever writing, and the signature style of Penny Arcade, often delivering hilarious enemy descriptions and witty dialogue that resonate with fans of old-school RPGs. While some players find the humor to be hit-or-miss, with occasional verbosity and juvenile attempts at comedy, many agree that it successfully combines nostalgia with absurdity, making for an entertaining experience. Overall, the game is recognized for its ability to evoke laughter through its unique blend of humor and engaging gameplay.
- “Its quirky humor and unique art style add charm to the experience.”
- “The humor is top-class grade-A stuff.”
- “The writing is hilarious, the story is interesting, the art is great, and it's so full of charm and fun that I couldn't put it down.”
- “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 storytelling, you will find this game extremely boring.”
gameplay
105 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
31%
59%
10%
The gameplay of the game is a blend of classic turn-based mechanics reminiscent of old-school JRPGs, featuring a variety of combat systems and class options that add depth and strategy. While some players appreciate the nostalgic elements and humor, others find the gameplay repetitive and lacking in innovation, with certain mechanics feeling tedious or overly simplistic. Overall, the game offers solid RPG gameplay with a mix of familiar and unique features, though opinions vary on its execution and engagement level.
- “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.”
- “A combination of old-school nostalgia, but with mechanics evolved in every way to make for a great game that skips the annoying mechanics most of these types of RPGs have.”
- “However, its gameplay may feel repetitive for some players, and its niche appeal may not resonate with everyone.”
- “The mechanics did not stay fresh throughout the entire playthrough, but it was so fun at the beginning that I think it levels out.”
- “However, the gameplay itself gets tedious rather quickly.”
graphics
88 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
27%
65%
8%
The graphics of the game have received mixed reviews, with many players noting a significant departure from the 3D art style of the first two episodes to a more retro, pixelated 16-bit aesthetic. While some appreciate the nostalgic charm and humor that this new style brings, others feel it detracts from the overall experience, describing it as a downgrade that lacks the depth and character of the previous games. Overall, the visuals are seen as a polarizing aspect, appealing to fans of old-school RPGs but disappointing to those who preferred the original's unique art style.
- “Its quirky humor and unique art style add charm to the experience.”
- “Graphically, the game looks as it should - blocky, cutesy, and by dint of predating the worst of the 'pixel art' genre, not overblown.”
- “I really enjoyed the art style, which is similar to that in Final Fantasy VI, including the 'super-deformed' characters.”
- “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, not to mention that the graphics are a straight downgrade and 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
50 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
44%
50%
6%
The music in the game receives mixed reviews, with some praising it as catchy and fitting for the gameplay, while others criticize it for poor looping and a lack of variety. Many players appreciate the retro chiptune style, noting it enhances the overall experience, but some find it repetitive or forgettable. Overall, the soundtrack is seen as a highlight by some, while others feel it falls short compared to previous installments.
- “The music is pretty stellar as well, composed by the guys at HyperDuck.”
- “Gripping gameplay, an excellent soundtrack, and quality writing make this game an underappreciated masterpiece.”
- “Excellent retro experience with Tycho's usual sublime writing and a catchy as heck soundtrack.”
- “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.”
- “However, the game is not flawless, e.g. music is catchy at first but it becomes kinda annoying after a while.”
grinding
26 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
8%
92%
Reviews highlight a mixed perspective on grinding in the game, with some players finding it excessively grindy and tedious, particularly in comparison to previous installments. However, others appreciate the absence of random encounters and the tactical combat system, which alleviates some of the grind's monotony. Overall, while grinding is present, it is often described as less mindless and more manageable than in traditional RPGs, though it can still feel repetitive and drawn out.
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “Fights are a little different and classes are introduced, but that just means no grinding required.”
- “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.”
- “I keep trying to pick it up, hoping that I will like it if I try it out just one more time, but it's just so boring and grindy.”
- “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
25%
75%
The atmosphere of the games is often praised for its ability to evoke strong emotions and a Lovecraftian horror vibe, particularly in the first two episodes. However, there is some disappointment with the atmosphere in the latest installment, indicating a variance in quality across the series. Overall, the atmosphere remains a crucial element that enhances the storytelling and setting in RPGs.
- “These games evoke the same 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
33%
67%
The game offers limited replayability, primarily appealing to those seeking a challenge, but overall, it may not provide enough incentive for players looking for extensive replay value.
- “Replayability: 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%
Players highlight the emotional depth of the game, noting its ability to transition from lighthearted humor to a profoundly impactful narrative that culminates in a heart-wrenching ending. This emotional journey resonates deeply, even with those who typically do not engage with their feelings, showcasing the game's lasting impression and narrative strength.
- “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.”
character development
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
150%
Character development in the game shows a mixed approach; while some players appreciate the superb depth and humor intertwined with the storyline, others feel that humor often takes precedence over more substantial character growth.
- “A classic RPG with an amazing storyline; the character development is superb, along with humorous details.”
- “There are some decent attempts at character development; however, the priority is clearly on humor over substance.”
- “The characters feel one-dimensional and lack meaningful growth throughout the story.”
- “Despite the potential for deep storytelling, the character arcs are predictable and uninspired.”
stability
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
The game has significant stability issues, with users reporting that it fails to load entirely.
- “The game is a buggy mess; it won't even load properly.”
- “Constant crashes make it nearly unplayable.”
- “I experience frequent freezes that ruin the gaming experience.”