South Park: The Fractured But Whole
- October 16, 2017
- Ubisoft Studio SF / South Park Studios
South Park balances ample fan service with gameplay that stands on its own merits and an engaging story. It won't make you a fan if you weren't one already, but it's hard to imagine a better-realized adaptation.
In South Park: The Fractured But Whole, players step back into the shoes of the New Kid and join Cartman's superhero group, Coon and Friends, to save South Park from crime and chaos. This sequel to The Stick of Truth offers a new and outrageous RPG experience, filled with familiar characters and mature humor. The Gold Edition includes the base game and the season pass.
Reviews
- The game is highly enjoyable for South Park fans, featuring humor and references that resonate well with the show's style.
- Both codes included with the Gold Edition work, allowing access to The Stick of Truth and additional content.
- The RPG mechanics have improved, offering more variety in combat and character customization, making for a fun gameplay experience.
- The game feels less expansive and engaging compared to its predecessor, The Stick of Truth, with some players finding it rushed and lacking depth.
- There are issues with missing content, such as the Towelie bonus, and some players experienced glitches that affected gameplay.
- The humor and satire may not hit the mark for everyone, with some feeling that the writing lacks the sharpness and creativity of the original game.
- story16 mentions
- 31 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 19 % negative mentions
The game's story is a mixed bag, with some praising its top-notch storytelling and voice acting that captures the essence of a South Park episode, while others feel it lacks the depth and humor of its predecessor. Critics note that the narrative sometimes feels disjointed and politically toned down, leaving players wanting more cohesive and impactful content. Overall, while the story has its entertaining moments, it doesn't quite meet the high expectations set by earlier titles in the series.
“To say more about the story would be a disservice to those who haven't played the game, because the top-notch storytelling and voice acting, akin to being in a South Park episode, is the main draw here.”
“Great story, dialogue, and voice acting.”
“Good game with a funny story.”
“The story is okay but there’s not as much to it as the previous game’s.”
“Not only that, but there are several encounters that felt like they were added on a storyboard, but the team forgot to add the connecting pieces, so it feels arbitrary.”
“But the game's story was rather lame.”
- humor12 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is widely praised for its hilarious and engaging nature, closely mirroring the comedic style of the South Park cartoon. Players appreciate the abundance of in-jokes and references, making it particularly enjoyable for fans of the show. Overall, the humor is described as a standout feature that enhances the fun and replayability of the game.
“This game is hilarious and very fun to play.”
“Tons of references to the show and extremely funny!”
“I have spent hours just exploring every inch and the whole map is packed with in-jokes and the humor of Trey and Matt.”
- gameplay4 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The gameplay is primarily appreciated for its RPG elements, though some users noted that the fighting mechanics are not the main draw. While the new combat system has received mixed feedback, a few glitches were reported that affected the overall experience.
“I'm thoroughly enjoying the RPG gameplay as well.”
“New fight gameplay.”
“The fight aspects are different, but no one played The Stick of Truth for the fighting mechanics.”
“I really liked the game, but I encountered a few glitches throughout that impacted gameplay.”
- grinding1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
Players note that while the game offers numerous fast travel options, the need for extensive walking around town can become tedious, especially during trophy cleanup after completing the game. Additionally, some recommend starting on the hardest difficulty to enhance the overall challenge.
“The only complaints I have about the game are its overall lack of difficulty (I recommend playing on the hardest difficulty setting from the outset) and the fact that even with numerous fast travel locations, you'll be doing a lot of walking around town, which, while appreciated at the outset (there's a lot to see), can be tedious once you've completed the game and are looking to find any missed items for trophy cleanup.”
“Grinding for levels and items feels more like a chore than an engaging part of the game. It often detracts from the overall enjoyment.”
“The repetitive nature of grinding in this game makes it feel like a job rather than a fun experience. It can be exhausting and takes away from the story.”
- music1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The music in the game is celebrated for its nostalgic appeal, resonating with fans of South Park and JRPGs while incorporating a variety of pop culture references that enhance the overall experience.
“This game is a love song to fans who love South Park, JRPGs, and all the pop culture references.”
“The soundtrack perfectly captures the essence of the game, blending humor and nostalgia in every note.”
“Each track is a delightful homage to classic gaming music, making every moment feel like a celebration.”
- stability1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
While players generally enjoyed the game, several reported experiencing glitches that affected their overall gameplay experience.
“I really liked the game, but there were a few glitches throughout that impacted gameplay.”
“The game crashes frequently, making it hard to enjoy the experience.”
“I encountered several bugs that disrupted my progress and made the game frustrating to play.”
- graphics1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The graphics are highly praised for their remarkable fidelity, closely resembling the original show.
“The graphics are extremely close to the show itself.”
Critic Reviews
South Park: The Fractured But Whole review
South Park balances ample fan service with gameplay that stands on its own merits and an engaging story. It won't make you a fan if you weren't one already, but it's hard to imagine a better-realized adaptation.
90%South Park The Fractured But Whole Review
A well written slick action RPG that is full gross-out humour but lacking the layers of the South Park jokes and laugh out loud moments we loved from the original.
80%South Park: The Fractured But Whole Review - Farts Are The Key
South Park: The Fractured But Whole is South Park at its best backed up by gameplay that would stand on its own in any other game.
90%
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