For years many people have been visiting Penny Arcade to read the thrice weekly comic about the various adventures of Tycho and Gabe. One of the main reasons this comic is so popular is not because of the intricate art style by Mike “Gabe” Krahulik, or even the witty writing by Jerry “Tycho” Holkins - it is the circumstances the characters find themselves in which many gamers can relate to, or have even day-dreamed about. Penny Arcade Adventures: On the Rain-Slick Precipice of Darkness (Episode 1) has finally been released on Xbox Live, and the question remains will this game cater only to fans of this comic or will all audiences enjoy it.Penny Arcade Adventures: On the Rain-Slick Precipice of Darkness is a diverse mixture of assorted genres. First off, there are classic RPG elements such as turn-based battles and leveling up the characters. Next is the adventure element; a throwback to point-and-click games, such as Kings Quest, where many objects users can interact with and get humorous responses. Finally, this game adds in small puzzle/quest elements that players go through to push the story forward. The combination of these gaming elements makes the game attention-grabbing and fun to play.
The real gem is the story for this game. A giant fruit-loving device has crushed the player’s home and mimes are flooding the streets. The only people capable of handing such a menace are the dynamic duo of the Startling Developers Detective Agency: Gabe and Tycho. Once players load the game they will be able to create a customizable character. Options include various facial expressions, features, and your choice of outfit.
After the creation process is done, players are immediately thrown into the fray with their first battle. The combat commences in a turn-base battles all in real time. At first this will prove to be overwhelming, but eventually players will become more accustomed resulting in enjoyment. As always, there is no shortage of humor to be found during battles from the vast array of enemies that players will face, to the attacks that they must endure. Mostly, players will enjoy the action commands which help prevent the battles from becoming too mundane. When an enemy is attacking, players can strike the right trigger before an enemy attacks, and if timed right they will block or counterattack the foe. On offense, players will be able to add some additional power to their attacks. This adds more layers and depth to the game which keeps players active and helps prevent repetition.
After the creation process is done, players are immediately thrown into the fray with their first battle. The combat commences in a turn-base battles all in real time. At first this will prove to be overwhelming, but eventually players will become more accustomed resulting in enjoyment. As always, there is no shortage of humor to be found during battles from the vast array of enemies that players will face, to the attacks that they must endure. Mostly, players will enjoy the action commands which help prevent the battles from becoming too mundane. When an enemy is attacking, players can strike the right trigger before an enemy attacks, and if timed right they will block or counterattack the foe. On offense, players will be able to add some additional power to their attacks. This adds more layers and depth to the game which keeps players active and helps prevent repetition.
Penny Arcade Adventures: On the Rain-Slick Precipice of Darkness is one of the finest looking Xbox Live Arcade games currently out. Fans of the comic will be pleased because this game stays true to the comic’s art style and direction. This is really a feat accomplished since the game takes place in a 3D world, with cel-shaded characters. Players will absolutely be attracted to the unique cut scenes, which look exactly like the Web-based comic strips. While the environments are a tad static, they are oozing with detail. This encourages players to anxiously inspect every inch of their surroundings in order to see what surprises lay in store for them. The character animations and special effects are impressive and make the world feel alive.
The developers at Hothead Games really captured the essence of the 1920s with the choice of music and various sound effects. Players will enjoy hearing the various musical elements in the game as it helps create the illusion that the game really takes place in this time period. While the game relies mostly on text bubbles, there are a few nicely done voiceovers. The only criticism is that they are not put to better use. It is a shame that the narrator is not utilized more. His dialogue is fresh, witty, and really helps with the story pacing.
Penny Arcade Adventures: On the Rain-Slick Precipice of Darkness is rated Mature.
The developers at Hothead Games really captured the essence of the 1920s with the choice of music and various sound effects. Players will enjoy hearing the various musical elements in the game as it helps create the illusion that the game really takes place in this time period. While the game relies mostly on text bubbles, there are a few nicely done voiceovers. The only criticism is that they are not put to better use. It is a shame that the narrator is not utilized more. His dialogue is fresh, witty, and really helps with the story pacing.
Penny Arcade Adventures: On the Rain-Slick Precipice of Darkness is rated Mature.
