How does this XBLA game stack up?
Do You like Fish sticks? Do you like to put Fish sticks in your mouth? What are you a gay Fish! South Park fans have been waiting for a South Park game to bring justice to possibly the greatest animated show since the Simpsons when it debuted in 1997. We have had a variety of SP games that “fell short” of there true potential. In 2009 South Park Let’s Go Tower Defense Play! was released for Xbox Live Arcade. It was the best South Park game released… until now.
Last Friday, South Park: Scott Tenorman’s Revenge was released exclusively on Xbox Live Arcade. It’s a throwback to the classic 2D side scroller games of the 80′s and 90′s. Any fan of the Original NES and the old school Mega Man and Super Mario Games will instantly feel at home with the game. Yet, still get that modern gaming feel as it allows 4 players Co-Op via Xbox live or just split screening (although it always is a full screen)
The basic story of the game is that Scott Tenorman, Cartman’s Evil Half Ginger Brother, has stolen Cartman’s Xbox External Hard Drive. Now he’s traveling through time in South Park trying to escape from the boys who are pursuing. But it’s not just that simple as Scott has created a Ginger Robot Army and some classic South Park characters (villains) have joined forces to stop the boys at all costs. Throughout the game, you travel through an almost endless stages of different places in South Park that fans from the show will all recognize. Places like: The Junkyard, Hell, Heaven, PiPi’s Splash town, and many others.
As I said earlier, in the game you can play all 4 main characters. Stan, Kyle, Kenny, and Cartman. All characters share the same basic moves like Run, Jump, and can also pick up different weapons in the form of bats, crowbars, Bubble Guns, water balloons, etc. to fight the Ginger Robot Army. In addition to just being weapons, these items can be used with secondary functions as well. Take the crowbar: it can be used to break open crates and boxes throughout levels to find different rewards inside. Much like Mario Brothers, Basic Jumping on the Ginger bots heads will eliminate them. But not all Gbots and enemies can be eliminated as easily. As you play through each level, you must collect time capsules in each level to unlock the next stage. Simply beating the level will not guarantee you can play the next level unless you have enough time capsules to open the portal. There is a ton of replay value in each level because of this. Also each character has a Special Move that can be used throughout the levels to access certain areas that could not be accessed otherwise. Cartman has Belly Barge where he can break through smaller walls. Stan has a football that he can throw to activate special switches. Kenny has a Mega Jump, and Kyle reveals his Ginger Jew Daywalking ability which scrambles the Gbots circuits, freezing them in place for a few seconds and opens up portals and force fields that the gingers use. Also each of the boys can turn into there alternate super hero personalities. Cartman as the Coon, Kyle as The Human Kite, Stan as Toolshed, and Kenny as Mysterion although I wont say what there powers are I will say that these powers are needed to access certain areas of the game as well.
South Park: Scott Tenorman’s Revenge the game is the most accurate portrayal of the show I’ve seen done in the gaming format. The graphics look just like an episode from the show. The humor and banter between the characters could only come from the genius that is Trey Parker and Matt Stone. Many classic characters return to help and stop the boys while on this quest to recover there Xbox hard drive. With more than 15 different levels, the need to use each character to access certain special areas and secret areas adds great replay value. Also being able to play 4 Player Xbox Live co-op helps tremendously as having all 4 characters playing at once can sometimes be hectic with so much going on at once on the screen it also is a god send to reach all the areas needed to collect the time capsule. This game is amazing whether you want to sit by yourself and relive the old school 2D plat former days or if you want to jump on Xbox live and take down Scott Tenorman with friends or strangers alike, and try to save Cartman’s Hard Drive.
Either way: Scott Tenorman Must Die!
South Park Tenorman’s Revenge will cost you 800 Microsoft Points ($10) to own. At that price, this game is a steal with hours of fun awaiting you.
