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Review: Strong Bad Episode 4

Nov. 17 8:01 PM by Terry Terrones

Magnum PI meets James Bond meets Shaft with a pinch of Scooby Doo. That's the most appropriate description for Episode 4 of Strong Bad's Cool Game for Attractive People - "Dangeresque 3: The Criminal Projective". Every time a new episode of this series comes out gamers can always count on two things, its going to funny and a new theme will take the HomestarRunner characters in a completely new direction. This latest offering is no exception, and thanks to a more streamlined storyline, Strong Bad is starring in his best game yet.

For gamers unfamiliar with HomestarRunner history, Dangeresque is a dirty cop played by Strong Bad in home movies he makes with other Free Country USA residents. They're essentially low budget rip offs of popular action flicks with numerous pop culture references and more clichés than a soap opera. If you've seen it done in an action movie - dramatic close-ups, car chases, goofy villain names, cheesy dialogue, non-sensical plot twists, jumping off of buildings for no good reason - it'll be parodied.

In this episode gamers play as Strong Bad, who's in character for almost the entire time as Dangeresque. The plot is an International House of Pancakes web of intrigue that lead gamers to save a chemical formula that protects the rain forest, rescue two kidnapped "babes", and travel the globe finding clues so you can save your partner from the clutches of an evil henchman by raiding his base on the Sun. Throw in a car equipped with gadgets straight out of Spy Hunter, a Nunchuk gun, and a lead character with Daddy issues that never get resolved and you have a game that manages to squeeze in every single plot twist from the "How to Make an Action Movie" manual.

If this sounds just a bit over the top, it is, and that's the point. What makes Dangeresque 3 different than most parodies is that its always in on its own joke. The production value is low so gamers are constantly aware of the home made special effects and poor camera work (seeing characters who just died walking around in the background is my personal favorite). The game is essentially a parody of a parody and because it never takes itself seriously, its always funny.

Dangeresque 3 offers up everything we've come to expect from this series - great point and click humor, a title that's easy to pick up and play and a unique theme. But what makes this episode better than its predecessors is its smooth storyline. This is something that has hampered past episodes, with gamers sometimes struggling to figure out what to do next. This isn't a problem in Episode 4 and because of that gamers get a better overall experience.

Every episode of Strong Bad's Cool Game for Attractive People has offered up some great fun. If you've already paid your full subscription, get to downloading Dangeresque 3 right now and enjoy the best episode yet. If, for some strange reason, you are on the fence about committing to this series, this is the episode that will hook you.

Pros: "More special effects than a Jessica Tandy Joint"

Cons: Still not on XLBA or PSN

Sound: 4.5
Controls: 4.5
Graphics: 4.0
Fun Factor: 5.0
Editor's Choice

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

Related Links: Strong Bad Episode 4 gameplay video, The reviews for Strong Bad Episode 1, Episode 2, and Episode 3

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