Status:
Complete and Play Tested
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South Park: The Fractured but Whole (Xbox One) Review
South Park: The Fractured but Whole is a hilarious, irreverent RPG that builds on the success of its predecessor, The Stick of Truth. This time, the kids of South Park take on superhero personas in a story packed with satire, crude humor, and surprisingly deep tactical combat. Its a perfect blend of the shows trademark comedy with satisfying RPG gameplay.
Gameplay & Mechanics
| Feature | Description | Verdict |
|---|
| Combat System | Turn-based tactical battles with positioning, cover, and combos. | Strategic and engaging with solid depth. |
| Character Customization | Create your own superhero with costumes, powers, and abilities. | Extensive and fun customization options. |
| Exploration | Open-world South Park to explore, packed with side quests and secrets. | Rich and rewarding for fans of the series. |
| Progression | Level up, unlock new powers, and upgrade gear. | Well-paced and satisfying growth system. |
Combat balances humor with meaningful tactical choices, making each fight feel fresh.
Story & Writing
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Plot: The kids form rival superhero factions in South Park, embroiled in a mystery involving the disappearance of Coonstagram and other ridiculous conspiracies.
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Tone: Satirical, crude, and unapologetically offensive in true South Park fashion.
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Characters: All fan favorites return, plus new characters and hilarious sidekicks.
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Dialogue: Sharp, witty, and packed with the shows trademark irreverence.
The story is both a clever parody of superhero tropes and a solid narrative in its own right.
Graphics & Presentation
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Visuals: Faithful recreation of the South Park TV shows cutout animation style in 3D.
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Animations: Expressive and comedic animations that capture the shows spirit perfectly.
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UI: Clean and colorful, fitting the playful aesthetic.
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Cutscenes: Well-produced, full of humor and character moments.
Visually, the game nails the shows style down to every crudely drawn detail.
Sound & Music
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Voice Acting: Original cast returns, delivering iconic voices with spot-on performances.
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Sound Effects: Comedic and exaggerated to match the tone.
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Music: A mix of quirky tunes and licensed tracks that enhance the atmosphere.
Audio is an essential part of the games humor and immersion.
Pros & Cons
Pros
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Hilarious writing and sharp satire true to South Park
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Deep and tactical turn-based combat system
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Robust character creation and customization
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Faithful and charming visual style
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Plenty of side quests and secrets to discover
Cons
Combat can become grindy in later stages
Some jokes may not land for all players
Minor performance hiccups and loading times
Linear story with limited replayability outside side content
Final Verdict
South Park: The Fractured but Whole is a brilliantly funny and surprisingly deep RPG that successfully captures the essence of the beloved TV show. Fans will love the irreverent humor and rich gameplay, while newcomers may find its style an acquired taste. Either way, its a standout licensed game with genuine heart and strategy.
Score: 8.4 / 10 A must-play for fans of South Park and tactical RPG enthusiasts alike.
