South Park™: The Fractured But Whole™
" Humorous RPG with strategic turn-based grid combat but plagued by bugs and connectivity issues "
South Park™: The Fractured But Whole™ Review
South Park™: The Fractured But Whole™ delivers a strong sequel to The Stick of Truth, blending turn-based tactical combat with the irreverent humor fans expect. The game introduces a grid-based combat system that adds strategic depth and an improved upgrade and multiclassing system, making battles more engaging. The storyline continues the South Park tradition with plenty of pop culture references and character-driven jokes, though some players found the story less impactful than the original.
However, the experience is marred by technical issues, including bugs, occasional soft locks during combat, and frustrating Ubisoft Connect DRM that requires constant internet connectivity, which has led to many players being unable to access the game. Despite these setbacks, the game offers a lengthy and enjoyable campaign with worthwhile DLC expansions that add new classes and missions. Fans of South Park and tactical RPGs will appreciate the humor and gameplay, but the Ubisoft platform requirements and bugs detract from the overall experience.
Highlights
Players praised the strategic turn-based combat on a grid, which adds meaningful positioning and tactical choices. The upgrade and multiclass systems were seen as improvements over the predecessor.
The game’s humor and references to South Park episodes up to season 20 were well received, maintaining the show’s signature irreverence. The storyline, while not universally loved, provided a solid narrative experience.
Graphically, the game faithfully replicates the South Park art style, delivering an authentic visual experience. The DLCs, especially 'Bring the Crunch' and 'From Dusk Till Casa Bonita,' were highlighted for adding enjoyable content and new classes.
Criticisms
Common criticisms focus on technical and DRM issues. Many players experienced soft locks and combat freezes that required restarting the game. Ubisoft Connect’s always-online requirement frustrated users, especially those with unreliable internet, making offline play impossible.
Some found the story less compelling than The Stick of Truth and felt the ending was abrupt with limited side quests. The artifact system for character upgrades was seen as random and sometimes disappointing. Controller support is lacking on PC, forcing some players to use keyboard controls.
Overall, bugs and Ubisoft’s DRM detract significantly from the otherwise fun gameplay and humor.
Pros
- • Turn-based grid combat adds strategic depth and meaningful positioning choices.
- • Improved upgrade and multiclass systems enhance character customization options.
- • Authentic South Park humor with numerous show references and character interactions.
- • Graphically faithful to the South Park art style, providing visual consistency.
- • DLC expansions add valuable new missions, classes, and story content.
- • Lengthy main campaign with engaging tactical gameplay and humor.
- • Combat is more interesting and varied compared to the first game.
Cons
- • Ubisoft Connect’s always-online DRM causes frequent access and connectivity issues.
- • Soft locks and combat freezes disrupt gameplay and require restarts.
- • Bugs and glitches reduce immersion and can prevent game completion.
- • Lack of controller support on PC frustrates players preferring gamepads.
- • Story considered weaker and less memorable than the original game.
- • Artifact upgrade system feels random and sometimes underwhelming.
- • Ending feels abrupt with limited side quests and replay value.
Rating Criteria
From the creators of South Park, Trey Parker and Matt Stone, comes South Park: The Fractured But Whole, a sequel to 2014's award-winning South Park: The Stick of Truth.