This first installment of the episodic role-playing adventure game series is set in the highly stylized 1920s universe of New Arcadia filled with bizarre characters, outrageous combat, and adult humor. Create and develop your very own character to participate in this adventure called Penny Arcade Adventures Episode 1: On the Rain-Slick Precipice of Darkness. Penny Arcade Adventures keeps the fun going with new material released regularly, with pick up and play capabilities from any episode, and the ability to carry over your character’s appearance, stats, and inventory from episode to episode.
The turn-based combat system features over-the-top animations and team-up moves during enemy battles. The classic adventure-style gameplay combines with RPG elements for a mysterious and puzzling good time. The crazed geniuses behind Penny Arcade promise a thrilling and wild ride, with story and dialogue written by written by Jerry “Tycho” Holkins and art by Mike “Gabe” Krahulik. Working with Gabe and Tycho of the Startling Developments Detective Agency, it will be your job to resolve the chaos and solve the mysteries of New Arcadia.
The boys have been known to put many a game on blast in their web comic, and now we’ll see if their own game is worthy of such praise. Find out in this Penny Arcade Adventures Episode 1 video review.
Key Penny Arcade Adventures features include:
* Create-A-Player system: Create and develop your very own character to participate in the adventure.
* Episodic content: Penny Arcade Adventures keeps the fun going with new material released regularly, with pick up and play capabilities from any episode, and the ability to carry over your character’s appearance, stats, and inventory from episode to episode.
* Dynamic combat: The turn-based combat system features over-the-top animations and team-up moves during enemy battles.
* Role-playing adventure: The classic adventure-style gameplay combines with RPG elements for a mysterious and puzzling good time.
* Twisted goodness: The crazed geniuses behind Penny Arcade promise a thrilling and wild ride, with story and dialogue written by written by Jerry “Tycho” Holkins and art by Mike “Gabe” Krahulik. Working with Gabe and Tycho of the Startling Developments Detective Agency, it will be your job to resolve the chaos and solve the mysteries of New Arcadia.
To quote the video review: “More Lovecraft than Warcraft, Penny Arcade’s gamer-centric material may have taken a turn for the occult but the brand’s trademark flair for quirky humor and snappy quips is in full effect. What’s more is that players can inject a bit of their own smartassery into the mix with SCUMM-inspired dialogue trees. The sort of choices and responses you make in the game don’t have a visible effect on the game’s outcome, but exploring the various hilarious permutations in conversations is definitely a lot more entertaining than most in the genre.
While Penny Arcade: Episode One is no doubt a hopeful introduction into the world of New Arcadia, it’s hard to find the franchise’s bravado for monsters and mischief enough for a game relatively high in price and low on content. On the other hand, players with a soft spot for old-school RPG battles, adventure games, and Gabe and Tycho’s online misadventures will certainly find something to appreciate.”
Story — 8.3
Design — 6.0
Gameplay — 7.7
Presentation — 8.1
Overall — 7.2