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Review - Strong Bad's Cool Game For Attractive People Episode 1: Homestar Ruiner

Aug. 11 12:16 AM by Terry Terrones

Its difficult to type while wearing boxing gloves but somehow Strong Bad, the most popular character on the Flash animated internet cartoon Homestar Runner, does it with flair. Fans of the site typically only get to be viewers of HR's unique brand of humor but now, with today's PC and Wii release of the first episode of "Strong Bad's Cool Game For Attractive People", they finally get to be active participants. Does Homestar Runner's transition from web cartoon to video game work? Let's put it this way, after playing this title you'll be lining up to the right to personally give the lucha libre mask wearer some high fives.

In "Homestar Ruiner", the first of five monthly releases of episodic content, players control Strong Bad, the resident blowhard of Free Country, USA. The game starts out with SB doing what he does best, answering emails. He's reminded that his nemesis, the dim witted Homestar Runner, is in need of a pummeling and sets out to do just that. In his quest to make Homestar's life miserable, Strong Bad trims hedges into the shape of a guitar, lights a float on fire and has his plans backfire when he ends up with an unwanted house guest.

The game play in SBCG4AP is sandbox style, which allows gamers to wander around the Homestar Runner world at their leisure. Aside from the main storyline, there is plenty to see and do with numerous side missions and hidden one-liners just waiting to be found. Collecting Teen Girl Squad cards, visiting Bub's Stand for some free chocolate covered organic packing peanuts and playing Snake Boxer 5 on the Fun Machine are just some of the things you can do. Even walking around and clicking on random objects will elicit a laugh and that's what makes the game so much fun. The nonsensical humor of the cartoon segues perfectly into the game.

Long time Homestar Runner fans will be pleased to see that all the major characters they've come to know (Marzipan, The Cheat, Coach Z, Pom Pom, etc.) are included along with many inside jokes. But even though each character has a unique personality and the title is set in a well established universe, there's plenty of content here for gamers unfamiliar with HR. The in-game comedy has wide appeal and the simple controls make it easy to pick up and play.

The path of the story can sometimes be tough to follow (clues help, but not always) and the dialogue will occasionally repeat. But considering how much fun you'll have playing the game and the added bonus of being able to send friends Strong Bad themed emails and pictures on the Wii, its a minor annoyance.

"Homestar Ruiner" is an impressive opening episode. Strong Bad is off to a great start.

Pros: Snort-milk-out-your-nose funny, smooth transition from web cartoon to game, easy to pick up and play

Cons: Story path can be tough to follow, some repeating dialogue

Sound: 4.0
Controls: 4.5
Graphics: 4.0
Fun Factor: 4.75
EDITOR'S CHOICE

The Info: Platform: Wii, PC, Publisher: Telltale Games, Developer: Telltale Games/Videlectrix, ESRB: T, Players: One, Price: 1000 Wii Points ($10)/$8.95 per episode or full subscription for $34.95 on PC

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