Video Game Series Review - Deathspank

Many years ago, I wanted to join the hardcore gaming side of things having previously (at the time) played games on a few Nintendo platforms and PC (which can be seen as both casual and hardcore, but its debatable). So I bought myself a PS3 after saving up for it and bought some games for it like you do. I then spent a lot of time buying games on their online store and among those games was a comedy series of games known as DeathSpank which just by reading this review, you might think its the name of something pornographic or generally kinky. With three games in the series and reviewing the Steam ports, let's get playing:



DeathSpank

Set in an unamed fantasy medieval world, our titular hero (voiced by Michael Dobson) has spent most of his life finding an item known as "The Artefact" and teams up with a wizard to do just that and rid the land of evil. But evil gets the better of him and so DeathSpank sets out to complete various side quests to become better at fighting evil to get the Artefact. The game is an action based RPG with elements of graphic adventure games. It also takes some influence from the Diablo series for combat purposes, the Monkey Island series for dialogue options that also include advanced options and Super Mario Galaxy for having a planet like world to explore. Game is like most RPGs with equipping weapons and armour with additional attributes. Once enough hits having been done, DeathSpank can unleash a powerful attack on his foes. There's plenty of quests to do and in quite a rare way, no load screens which is nice. Its a very funny game, though that is to be expected just from the name of the game. Its well presented, has a lot going for it. But where it lacks in innovation, it makes up for using common elements seen in some of our favourite games. Great fun all around. 9/10

Thongs of Virtue

Following from the last game, DeathSpank begins a new quest to find the titular "Thongs of Virtue" and destroy them to bring order back to the land. It pretty much carries over what the last game had in keeping things consistent which is good I'd say. In addition to all of that, the game also brings in some sci-fi elements too including automatic firearms as weapons and aliens as new enemy types. As fun as before with almost the same stuff as before, its another good game even if it has very little new things added. 8/10

The Baconing

So interestingly the developers originally intended for the series to be two games. But things started happening and so we got a third game, but with DeathSpank not in the title. So after removing all evil from the land, a bored DeathSpank takes on an evil version of himself and must destroy the Thongs of Virtue to do just that. Same gameplay as before, but the game can be played alone or with a friend at any one time. Fetch quests are a thing of the past following feedback from fans and shield bashing is a thing. Although as funny as ever, the third game shows that the series is ready for the end as its more or less the same as before, but does manage to bring in a few new things. But it probably isn't enough to give it any rave reviews at that. 7/10

So after playing these three games, they are pretty good. They are quite funny, have elements from much beloved games and are worth at least one playthrough each. They are unlikely to win any awards, but its a good time waster if nothing else.