Gamers star in ‘South Park’

YouTubeGamers+are+able+to+customize+their+character%E2%80%99s+appearance+and+what+they+wear+in+%E2%80%9CSouth+Park%3A+The+Stick+of+Truth.%E2%80%9D

YouTubeGamers are able to customize their character’s appearance and what they wear in “South Park: The Stick of Truth.”

By Josh Alfrey

Prepare yourself for an epic journey of swords, magic and farts in the role-playing game “South Park: The Stick of Truth.”

Players become the new kid in town with a mysterious past in this “South Park” game. The characters of the neighborhood are dressed up in homemade knight and wizard gear like they’re in “Dungeons & Dragons.” But beware, around every corner is a clash of childhood imagination and the end of the world.

Character customization will be the player’s first stop on his or her quest. Being able to personalize clothing, hair and appearance gives players the ability to put themselves in “South Park.” The hardest decision after that may be deciding which class you want to be, including a fighter and mage.

Upon entering the game, the detailed graphics make it look like you are playing an episode of “South Park.” In every drawer and closet is a show reference that any casual fan could enjoy.

Trey Parker and Matt Stone’s writing is funniest when they poke fun at common video game tropes like the silent hero everyone seems to understand. Nothing is too obscure to be put in the game and the references will have you wanting to watch the series again to jog your memory.

Exploration in “The Stick of Truth” is encouraged with plenty of South Park to be seen. The scale of the game is something to be admired and leaves little room for boredom. Gear and consumable items are everywhere and will be useful going forward. Weapons made of duct tape and glue will quickly fill your inventory, which isn’t the easiest to navigate.

User interface is anything but friendly when hitting the start button. The screen is cluttered in tabs and pictures from the main character’s Facebook page. With little direction, sorting through everything can be difficult for new RPG players. While it may look polished, flipping through attributes and perks can be a pain.

Loading screens and repeated dialogue weaken the “The Stick of Truth.” As funny as a poop joke is to me, it loses its luster after the fifth use. On top of an incessant loading screen, the game’s flow is interrupted.

Despite some of its bumps, “The Stick of Truth” is an absurdly vulgar and hilarious game that can be appreciated as a gift to all “South Park” fans.