We, like many of you, we'd imagine, have been spending some time this week with Strong Bad's first WiiWare/PC adventure. On the whole, we've been really impressed by how well it captures the world of its cartoon source material (it's actually funny!) though we far too frequently find ourselves with no idea of what to do next. But what matters our opinion? Let's consult the internet hive mind for a giant slice of their style.
IGN(81/100): "Like most games in this genre, some of the solutions can be a bit esoteric. But that comes with the territory, and a little trial and error will get you past any obstacles."
Giant Bomb(60/100): "Based on the just-past-their-prime animated shorts found on Homestarrunner.net (it's dot com!), Strong Bad seems to demand a little more familiarity with the source material than Telltale's Sam & Max series did. As someone who went through a serious Strong Bad phase, I've found the initial experience to be amusing at best, and mildly pleasant at worst."
Gamervision(70/100): "I had faith, because Telltale has yet to let me down, but I was definitely skeptical about the game. Now, having played through the first episode, Strong Bad's Cool Game for Attractive People Episode 1: Homestar Ruiner, I am happy to report that they did a pretty nice job."
Man, I blazed through that game in one sitting, and it was totally worth it.
My only disappointment was that the Teen Girl Squad comics you could create lacked the "oompf" of the true ones. Though "Rats like metal!" mamde me laugh.
Agreed on it being hella short, though to its credit I didn't think there were any puzzles that were too difficult. (I only got stuck finding Homestar's clothes because I was kinda half-asleep at the time.) Overall, though, it was pretty damn good.
Although I haven't completed it yet, the game is hilarious.
If you're a fan of Homestar Runner, you WILL love this game. It really feels like the flash cartoons, and there are tons of little things to do and try.
Is it worth $10? I personally regret not getting the $35 PC bundle, since it would cost 30% less than buying the episodes on Wii. Though I wish it was on Steam.
I'm also glad to see Gamervision getting some press. The people there are REALLY awesome
I actually think that being a fan of HSR isn't exactly required; unlike the Penny Arcade game, this one manages to stand on its own merits as a really good point-and-click game, that just happens to be in the HSR universe.
I'll probably stick it out on WiiWare. Of course, each time a new episode is released, it will be a ritual to go into the system menu, point at the old episode, and shout, "BALEETED!". ($#@$! lack of storage...)
John, as a long-time HSR fan (although, I haven't frequented the site in ages), I don't think SBCG4AP's humor is immediately accessable to non-fans. You aren't introduced to the characters, or know why they react to each other as they do (granted, it's not like HSR toons have a deep, complex storyline or character development). You're just thrown into their world, expected to know all about them already.
In that sense, it's basically a fangame. Something by fans, for fans (I'm assuming Telltale are fans, since they took a lot of care in crafting such a great game with the Brothers Chaps). You won't really "get" it if you aren't already a fan. You might chuckle at some of the jokes, but most of it will go over your head.
Even the basic premise of Strong Bad answering emails would be missed if you didn't already know about how he regularly answers reader-submitted emails.
This is starting to get really annoying - the game's not out in the UK and I can't find any alternate release dates anywhere. I'm hoping it's just because our WiiWare updates on a different day to North America (presumably Friday) but I can't find any info about it.
Admittedly, there's nothing stopping me from just buying the PC version but it's still annoying.
Oddly enough, GameSpot gave the thing a 5.0. Which it totally doesn't deserve (7-8, IMO).
All I can do is wonder what the hell they were thinking. I mean, Christ, "pointing and clicking can get tedious" is one of the "cons" to the game - almost as if the reviewer is completely oblivious to the entire genre...
"Pointing and clicking can get tedious"? My god they must be the biggest idiots this side of the review circuit.
As for my opinion? Totally worth the ten bucks, although I hope they improve the TGS ideas for the next episode. Currently annoyed that I forgot that I could have gotten the whole set for $35 instead of ten bucks each on WiiWare. Well that and the fact that there's a game crash keeping me from talking to Coach Z in Extended Play mode.
PROTIP: "Professional" reviews are usually the opinion of ONE person. In the case of GameSpot's PC version review (there's no Wii review), Chris Watters. So, you can't say that all of GameSpot are idiots based on the opinions of one reviewer. However, complaining about the "tedium" of point-and-click games seems to show a bias against the genre...
I can say that the reviewer is an idiot, and I can say that the editor who approved the article is an idiot. I write reviews myself, and if I wrote something like "having to manage statistics is tedious" for an RPG game I think I would die of shame.
it is a good game, but it was to damn short! hopefully the next one is longer this one was so short i fell ripped off 3 or 4 bucks. but alas i will pobably buy them all regardless cuz of strongbad's awesomeness. this and megaman 9 make WiiWare look very promissing.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
PeterBeck @ Aug 14th 2008 8:56AM
Man, I blazed through that game in one sitting, and it was totally worth it.
My only disappointment was that the Teen Girl Squad comics you could create lacked the "oompf" of the true ones. Though "Rats like metal!" mamde me laugh.
John Z @ Aug 14th 2008 9:25AM
Agreed on it being hella short, though to its credit I didn't think there were any puzzles that were too difficult. (I only got stuck finding Homestar's clothes because I was kinda half-asleep at the time.) Overall, though, it was pretty damn good.
Dale @ Aug 14th 2008 9:56AM
Seriously, I logged 2 hours 50 minutes play time on the main quest, just gotta collect a few missing items in extended play and I'm done.
WiNG [Life in a Game] @ Aug 14th 2008 10:07AM
Although I haven't completed it yet, the game is hilarious.
If you're a fan of Homestar Runner, you WILL love this game. It really feels like the flash cartoons, and there are tons of little things to do and try.
Is it worth $10? I personally regret not getting the $35 PC bundle, since it would cost 30% less than buying the episodes on Wii. Though I wish it was on Steam.
I'm also glad to see Gamervision getting some press. The people there are REALLY awesome
John Z @ Aug 14th 2008 11:27AM
I actually think that being a fan of HSR isn't exactly required; unlike the Penny Arcade game, this one manages to stand on its own merits as a really good point-and-click game, that just happens to be in the HSR universe.
I'll probably stick it out on WiiWare. Of course, each time a new episode is released, it will be a ritual to go into the system menu, point at the old episode, and shout, "BALEETED!". ($#@$! lack of storage...)
BPM [MSN: BPMdotEXE @ hotmail.com] @ Aug 14th 2008 4:19PM
John, as a long-time HSR fan (although, I haven't frequented the site in ages), I don't think SBCG4AP's humor is immediately accessable to non-fans. You aren't introduced to the characters, or know why they react to each other as they do (granted, it's not like HSR toons have a deep, complex storyline or character development). You're just thrown into their world, expected to know all about them already.
In that sense, it's basically a fangame. Something by fans, for fans (I'm assuming Telltale are fans, since they took a lot of care in crafting such a great game with the Brothers Chaps). You won't really "get" it if you aren't already a fan. You might chuckle at some of the jokes, but most of it will go over your head.
Even the basic premise of Strong Bad answering emails would be missed if you didn't already know about how he regularly answers reader-submitted emails.
Corbo @ Aug 14th 2008 10:40AM
This is starting to get really annoying - the game's not out in the UK and I can't find any alternate release dates anywhere. I'm hoping it's just because our WiiWare updates on a different day to North America (presumably Friday) but I can't find any info about it.
Admittedly, there's nothing stopping me from just buying the PC version but it's still annoying.
WiNG [Life in a Game] @ Aug 14th 2008 11:33AM
Just get the PC version. It costs less and doesn't have a game-crashing bug.
Shadow Hog @ Aug 14th 2008 12:15PM
Oddly enough, GameSpot gave the thing a 5.0. Which it totally doesn't deserve (7-8, IMO).
All I can do is wonder what the hell they were thinking. I mean, Christ, "pointing and clicking can get tedious" is one of the "cons" to the game - almost as if the reviewer is completely oblivious to the entire genre...
KirbyMeister @ Aug 14th 2008 1:05PM
"Pointing and clicking can get tedious"? My god they must be the biggest idiots this side of the review circuit.
As for my opinion? Totally worth the ten bucks, although I hope they improve the TGS ideas for the next episode. Currently annoyed that I forgot that I could have gotten the whole set for $35 instead of ten bucks each on WiiWare. Well that and the fact that there's a game crash keeping me from talking to Coach Z in Extended Play mode.
Vegeta (aka Ska Oreo) @ Aug 14th 2008 2:04PM
meh. Sounds like the reviewer wasn't a fan of point and click adventures. I guess I can see why some people will find them tedious.
BPM [MSN: BPMdotEXE @ hotmail.com] @ Aug 14th 2008 2:28PM
PROTIP: "Professional" reviews are usually the opinion of ONE person. In the case of GameSpot's PC version review (there's no Wii review), Chris Watters. So, you can't say that all of GameSpot are idiots based on the opinions of one reviewer. However, complaining about the "tedium" of point-and-click games seems to show a bias against the genre...
Geist @ Aug 15th 2008 12:17AM
I can say that the reviewer is an idiot, and I can say that the editor who approved the article is an idiot. I write reviews myself, and if I wrote something like "having to manage statistics is tedious" for an RPG game I think I would die of shame.
wolffangalchemist @ Sep 2nd 2008 1:17AM
it is a good game, but it was to damn short!
hopefully the next one is longer this one was so short i fell ripped off 3 or 4 bucks.
but alas i will pobably buy them all regardless cuz of strongbad's awesomeness.
this and megaman 9 make WiiWare look very promissing.