Strong Bad’s Cool Game for Attractive People- Episode 4: Dangeresque (PC) Review
Posted by Armando Rodriguez on 11.20.2008
It's time for more Strong Bad as the gang films a movie!
Strong Bad’s Cool Game for Attractive People- Episode 4: Dangeresque
System - PC
Developer - Telltale Games
Publisher - Telltale Games
Genre: Puzzle, Adventure
Players: 1
Also available for WiiWare on the Nintendo Wii
For those unfamiliar with the concept of Strong Bad, it is based on the Homestarruner.com website. The game, which is split into episodes, is being developed by Telltale Games, the same company that produced the acclaimed Sam & Max games (of which I am a fan). Similar to the model used in the Sam & Max series, the game is split into episodes that are made available at the developer’s official website (www.telltalegames.com) individually for $8.95 an episode or as a full season package for $34.95. Like the game’s title states, this is the fourth episode in the series. On to the review!
Gameplay:
Dangeresque follows the formula of the first three episodes and the Sam & Max games. It is a point and click adventure that empathizes puzzle solving and humor over all out action. Usually you are presented with a series of locations you can travel to and in those locations you need to acquire objects and talk to people, using the objects and the clues you get to solve the issue at hand and move the story along. It’s a genre that was very popular in the early days of PC gaming but that faded away with time and is now making a comeback.
Much like Sam & Max, Strong Bad is flat-out funny. I admit to not knowing anything about Homestar Runner or Strong Bad, but after playing this game I have become a fan. Strong Bad is every macho action hero tossed into one. He wears a mask like Spiderman, dresses like James Bond and behaves like any action movie hero from the 80’s. The game is an obvious parody of the action movie genre and a highly successful one at that.
So, what can I say about Dangeresque without spoiling the plot? Well, the basic plot premise involves Strong Bad filming a sequel to his “highly” successful films Dangeresque and Dangeresque 2. Of course, the movie is a backyard, home made style of movie, which means that it is full of cheap sets (backyard acting like a jungle, a kiddie pool as a shark tank, etc.) and really bad acting (on purpose). In spite of their obvious low production values, bad acting and cliché plot, Strong Bad and friends behave like the project is a truly epic masterpiece, which makes it really fun to watch unfold.
Like I said, the game involves a lot of talking and the voice acting is superb. Everyone sounds like their respective characters should and deliver their lines with laugh-out loud precision. In several instances you can choose between dialogue options for Strong Bad, which usually involves a “good” option (Strong Bad says he is lying and kissing up to get what he wants) or a “bad” option that fits more with Strong Bad’s persona. Since there is no real penalty for choosing the “wrong” option, I suggest players try both so that they can listen to the wacky banter that ensues.
The other main aspect of the game involves exploring, collecting and using items. This is essential to move the game forward. You can try to use any item on your inventory on anything else in the environment and see what happens. However, if you get stuck, Strong Bad will give you a hint of what to do, so that you don’t get overly frustrated with the game. The hint system can be adjusted in the options menu to high or low, which is very helpful. Newbies to the genre can set it to high; while more experienced players can set it to low and try to figure everything out themselves.
To extend the replay value of the game, there is a “hidden” mini-game you can play called Space Circus Catastrophe, which is a simple 2-D space shooter. Too simple I think and not worth more than one or two plays. You can also collect clothing for the photo booth, interrogate people with Strong Bad’s trusty nunchuck-gun and find some hidden items, but even with these diversions, the game won’t last you longer than 3 hours or so.
Graphics:
The visuals are cartoony and well done. It looks like a real cartoon and there is no slowdown or graphical deficiencies that I could find.
Sound:
The voice acting is killer. I could not picture any other voice for any of the characters in the game. Strong Bad definitively steals the show.
Lasting Appeal:
Here is where the game really suffers. The game is short and chances are that by the time you beat it once, you won’t want to play it again for some time. You might want to play it again to get all the hidden items and clothes, but I don’t think this added goodies is reason enough to play it again. The game is so funny and well done; however, that I am sure everyone will want a second or third play through as time goes on. But this is not a game that will keep you busy for weeks.
Fun Factor:
Dangeresque is a really fun game to play. I had never played the series or heard about Homestar Runner, but I got instantly hooked with the game and would not stop playing it until I finished it. I suggest you sign in for the entire season since it offers more bang for the buck.
The 411:
Dangeresque is really worth the $9 and a sign-up for the entire season. It is fun, flat out funny and shows that as long as there are creative minds out there like the people at Telltale Games, the point-and-click adventure genre will not die.
Graphics
9.0
Great cartoony visuals, no notable graphical problems.
Gameplay
8.2
Simple point-and-click interface, funny dialogue, well developed characters.
Sound
9.3
The voice acting steals the show, it is truly superb.
Lasting Appeal
4.5
After the initial playthrough, there is not much to come back to.
Fun Factor
8.5
The game is flat-out funny, the characters are well developed and the game uses a true and tested formula of sucess.
