Initial release date: March 26, 2024
Platforms: PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, GeForce Now, Microsoft Windows, Xbox Series X and Series S
Developer: Question
Genre: Action-adventure game
Engine: Unreal Engine 5, Unreal Engine 4
Composers: Jamie Dunlap, Exiquio Talavera
Publisher: THQ Nordic
South Park has had an unusual history with video games. However, with Stick of Truth and The Fractured but Whole, I believe we can conclude they have made amends for any previous misdeeds and can be trusted to give a great time in the world of South Park. Snow day! (Snow Day, from now on) is no exception. For the price and amount of content, every South Park fan should be enthusiastic about the next level of South Park gaming.
Snow Day is and is not a sequel to Stick of Truth and The Fractured but Whole. While the characters will refer to everything that has transpired in the previous two games, they make it obvious that this game is unique due to the transition from the TV show’s 2D style to a 3D animation that translates effectively. The South Park gang accuses the New Kid (your character) of destroying the last two games they played. Cartman’s mission now is to ensure that the New Kid does not become OP and ruin the game. Well…
For the early portion of my experience, I felt SEVERELY OP even when playing on normal mode with AI bots. While this game is designed to be played with people, you can also play it solo with the bots. While they aren’t the sharpest, I was able to complete the full game with only the bots. However, after chapter three, I found myself needing to lower the difficulty owing to the sheer quantity of adversaries spawning at once and the bots’ lack of knowledge to execute what was required, particularly in the final task.
The gameplay is simple to pick up. You have three melee and three ranged weapons that you can unlock as you progress through the main story. For melee, you have dual blades, a sword and shield, and a third weapon that I will keep blank to avoid spoiling the relevant quest. Ranged choices include a bow, a magic wand that deals AOE damage, and a magic wand that may be used as a Tesla coil or a flame thrower. Of all the alternatives, I chose dual blades and a flame thrower/tesla coil. This combination provides you range, which can be useful in close combat, and the bleeding effects begin to build as you progress through the game.
The South Park gang’s new gaming mechanics include ability cards, in addition to their weaponry. Each of these cards, like those in any TCG, may be obtained by playing the game. During a Pre-Battle Trial presented by the wonderful Butters, you will be given a random pick of these cards to assist you get started in the battle. After most regions, Jimmy will give you additional cards to add to your skills, which can either improve existing powers or introduce new ones. The Goth Kids provide a secondary set of skills, known as Dark skills, which can augment powers, replace powers, or provide extra income. However, there is sometimes a cost associated with these. For example, you could increase all of your other card abilities by one, but you would have to destroy one of your current powers. It’s a trade-off to ensure that New Kid does not become OP again.
The narrative appears to be a South Park classic. There is a random snowstorm that kills hundreds in the area, and Cartman starts the game waiting for school to be cancelled. Cartman urges all children to begin playing as many residents face power outages, freezing to death, a lack of food and water, and other issues. As the game progresses, you’ll face some of South Park’s most iconic characters, like Kyle, Stan, and Kenny, among others, which I won’t disclose. The most noticeable difference for me was not being able to include these people in my party like I had in the previous two games. Instead, the joke “why are there so many New Kids” becomes the focus of combat, while our favorite characters remain at Kupa Keep. There are five main chapters in Snow Day. Each took about 30 minutes to accomplish assuming I didn’t die, giving me a total of 5-6 hours to complete all five chapters and one side mission.
Don’t worry after the narrative is over. The arrangement of tasks within each mission changes differently each time you play it. The post-game also includes a “Pact” system, with Nichole playing a Warlock. It’s modest, but it adds replayability by providing Dark Matter as you complete the chores.
rear in the HUB world, you’ll be able to tour the street where New Kid and Cartman live, as well as the rear yards of several houses. The primary setting is the back of Cartman’s house and the next-door neighbor. Tweek and Craig will provide cosmetics, Tolkien will change your weapons or powers, and Mr. Hankey will provide you Dark Power. In Kupa Keep, you can also choose between assignments from Cartman or the Emo Kids, who will send you to a Dreamscape.
These Dreamscapes are called To Danse with Ravenous Shadows, and there are four primary missions in which you must overcome waves of more difficult monsters. Jimmy and the Goth Kids will reward you with goodies at every level, so keep checking back with them. These CAN be completed by yourself, but they are substantially more difficult than the plot, and the game advises you to play with friends if possible owing to the difficulty.
All of this Dark Matter is meant to enhance your powers with Mr. Hankey. A talent tree in a porta-potty will let you become the overpowered New Kid once more, with anything from increasing your health pool to adding damage to assaults.
I have yet to encounter any obvious flaws or issues with the game itself. The game works rather smoothly on the PlayStation 5, both online and in solo mode. The animation is excellent, and the option to switch from 2D to 3D and back again throughout the game was refreshing.
Multiplayer operates in one of three modes: playing with random players on another player’s server, playing with random players on your server, or playing with only friends on a private server. Playing with random players is fantastic in theory, but it’s not so great when those random players fail to continue through the objectives, either because they go AFK or aren’t paying attention. The majority of my Snow Day gameplay will most likely be with buddies or solo! Moving forward from launch.
If you’ve been a fan of South Park for any length of time, you’ll love the plot and find easter eggs throughout. Snow Day is very different from Stick of Truth and Fractured but Whole, but it maintains the momentum from the previous two games. The pricing is also just right at launch, at $29.99, given how much content you get. I had a terrific experience, and I believe you will as well.
Review Overview
Gameplay – 82%
Controls – 85%
Aesthetics – 90%
Content – 80%
Accessibility – 88%
Value – 85%
Overall Rating – 85%
VERY GOOD!
Summary: South Park: Snow Day! successfully captures the essence of the beloved TV show with its blend of humor, action, and strategy. The game’s visuals are spot-on, bringing the world of South Park to life in a way that fans will appreciate. While the gameplay is fun and the controls are accessible, some might find the content a bit repetitive over time. Nevertheless, this title is a worthy addition to the South Park franchise, providing plenty of laughs and entertainment for those who dive into its snowy chaos.
