When Matt Stone and Trey Parker took the stage during Ubisoft’s E3 2016 press conference, we knew that meant more details on the upcoming follow up to 2013’s South Park: The Stick of Truth, couldn’t be far. Alongside the announcement of a December 6 release date, the debuting trailer shows how much the game has changed in the past year.
Much like the South Park TV show, it’s clear that the upcoming Ubisoft RPG, The Fractured But Whole, had its story thrown together in a few weeks based on its latest trailer. As anyone who watches the show can tell you, that’s far from a bad thing since the results are often hilarious. But seeing how the conflict in this trailer has not only completely changed from last year’s reveal, but how the town has now includes locations and references from its most recent season, such as SoDoSoPa and the returning PC Principal, (who Cartman apparently has locked up in a storage unit,) it’s clear that most of these revisions have to be recent. A quick look at the trailer shows how the town will have gone through quite a few changes since the last time we visited it, setting a perfect stage for the boy’s own super hero civil war.
Spoofing Marvel and DC’s multi-film universes, the kids of South Park split off into two factions as their super hero personas after they can’t come to an agreement on how they will release their own film universe. From here, all hell breaks loose, which is clear from the footage of the boys fighting each other, Kyle siding with Cartman, your characters fighting with a drunk Randy, and other lunacy that we’ve come to expect from the quiet mountain town.
The game play is also getting an overhaul to match the town, which was detailed in the game play segment of the presentation. Instead of a strict turn based battle system, The Fractured But Whole uses a grid based movement system somewhat reminiscent of the Mega Man Battle Network series. Attacks can move enemies from one space to another, resulting in extra damage when they’re pushed into cars or tables for example, while elements like summoning popular characters for one off attacks, special abilities for each hero and unique classes make their return. All in all, this more involved battle system makes the game look like an interactive episode even more so than before.
Even better news for digital purchasers, is that for those who digitally pre-order the game, they’ll get a free download for PS4, Xbox One or PC versions of The Stick of Truth right now! So if you missed out on it the first time or just want to play it again, it’s a pretty strong incentive. Physical copies will also include vouchers for the game at select retailers on a future date.
With new characters, locations and powers, including the ultimate reveal of PC Principal, my excitement is through the roof for The Fractured But Whole. That December release date also means it won’t be delayed for four years this time either! Watch the trailer below and share your highlights with us, but make sure you check your privilege before you do.