South Park: The Fractured but Whole
Rival superhero franchises go to war in South Park: The Fractured But Whole.
While 2014’s magnificent The Stick of Truth skewered Tolkien, Skyrim, and high fantasy, The Fractured but Whole is an anarchic send-up of superheroes—from comic book cliches to endless money-spinning movie franchises. You play as the mute New Kid, whose heroic deeds in the previous game are forgotten because, well, the kids are playing a different game now. Tutored by the Coon (alter ego of Eric Cartman), you begin your adventure as a lowly sidekick, and must earn the right to establish your own superhero brand and potential Netflix series. Yet no matter how hard you work, he’ll still always refer to you simply as ‘Buttlord’.
The Fractured but Whole (named as a reaction to retailers refusing to stock a game with the word ‘butthole’ on the cover) is an accessible RPG with a wonderfully fun turn-based combat system. The fighting in Stick was cool, but lightweight. Now it’s deeper, richer and more strategic, with some brilliantly designed battles that require genuine tactical thinking. There are buffs, debuffs, elemental magic, and summons, as well as dramatic, superbly animated ultimate attacks. And a new grid system adds extra complexity, with chain attacks, knockbacks, and powers that force you to think about where characters are positioned on the battlefield.
Environmental hazards mix things up further, with exploding chemical barrels, pools of lava (actually piles of red Lego), and a dad with the power to freeze (well, ground) your party forcing you to think carefully before each turn. It’s one of the most enjoyable combat systems I’ve ever encountered in an RPG, and honestly, who expected that from a South Park game? There’s a hell of a lot of combat, but it’s so varied that I never once got bored with it.
The story concerns two rival superhero franchises: Coon and Friends, and Freedom Pals. Your stablemates include Super Craig, The Human Kite, Fastpass, and the Coon himself, who each come with their own unique abilities. The Human Kite can buff allies with a protective shield, while Super Craig’s powerful punches will knock enemies back a few squares on the grid. On the other side are Mysterion, Doctor Timothy, Tupperware, and Toolshed, who you fight in Civil War missions. This rivalry is the focus of much of the storyline, although a greater evil emerges that raises the stakes and threatens both groups.
When you’re not fighting you’re probably exploring the streets of South Park. Getting to wander around the town, entering buildings and talking to people, is a thrill for any fan of the show. And there are countless items, puzzles, jokes and sidequests to discover, which makes poking around in every house and store worth it. I also love how customizable your character is. As you explore, you find bits of costume that you can mix and match and recolor, to create your own distinctive superhero.
FRIEND REQUEST
Establishing Coon and Friends as South Park’s foremost superhero franchise involves becoming popular on Instagram-spoofing social network Coonstagram. When you meet someone, the option to take a selfie will sometimes appear. Take the snap, and they’ll follow you back, although some people will ask you to do something for them before they agree to a photo. It’s a strangely compelling distraction, and an opportunity to meet some of South Park’s vast cast of characters.
Because The Fractured but Whole is so full of surprises and unexpected twists and turns, I have to avoid talking about some of its best features and moments. But if you love South Park, it’s another faithful adaption of the series. The story is the only real weak link, with the pace occasionally grinding to a halt, satire that, surprisingly for South Park, lacks bite, and a general feeling of stale predictability—bar a few moments that are South Park at its crude, anarchic best. You may also find everything outside of the combat a little too familiar if you played The Stick of Truth. Otherwise this is a streamlined, imaginative, and enormously entertaining game.
It’s so varied that I never once got bored of it