Penny Arcade Adventures Epsiode One: On the Rain-Slick Precipice of Darkness (pc: 2008): Reviews

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Penny Arcade Adventures Epsiode One: On the Rain-Slick Precipice of Darkness


8.4

based on 20 reviews
Read critic reviews
How did we calculate this?

based on 54 votes
Read user comments
Rate this game

Cheat Code Central

Official Website

Based on the popular comic strip Penny Arcade, On the Rain-Slick Precipice of Darkness is an episodic RPG/Adventure where you join with Gabe and Tycho of the Startling Developments Detective Agency to solve strange mysteries lurking in New Arcadia. Set in the 1920s, the game places the familiar Penny Arcade protagonists in an alternate pulp horror setting reminiscent of the works of H. P. Lovecraft. [Hothead Games]

PUBLISHER:	Hothead Games
DEVELOPER:	Hothead Games
GENRE(S):	Adventure, Role-Playing Game
PLAYERS:	1
ESRB RATING:	M (Mature)
RELEASE DATE:	May 21, 2008

All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...

100

Just Adventure

On the Rain Slick Precipice of Darkness, Episode 1 exists in somewhere in the hinterland between casual game and serious RPG, and it’s a very comfortable position indeed. As a palate-cleanser between playing larger games, or simply as an opportunity to experience Penny Arcade in a fresh way, it’s easy to recommend the game.

Cheat Code Central

The short-length and other minor nitpickings aside, Penny Arcade Adventures: On the Rain-Slick Precipice of Darkness: Episode One is absolutely worth every cent of its $20 price tag.

PC Zone UK

The dialogue is effortlessly hilarious and seriously crass. This game is the crudest in recent memory. [July 2008, p.72]

Worth Playing

While there could have been more variety in the enemies, and the sound definitely should have been better, I was left thoroughly pleased with the game. It may seem a bit expensive at 1,600 Microsoft points ($20), but if you are looking for a few good laughs and an interesting story line packed into a five- to eight-hour package, you really won't find anything better than this.

Jolt Online Gaming UK

If you're a Penny Arcade fan then Episode One is an enjoyable if overpriced and short-lived experience.

Thunderbolt

As a first episode, Rain Slick succeeds in leaving you wanting more, and anxious to drag your party and stats on into Episode 2. Sure at its core, it’s an extremely light weight JRPG, but if you’re playing this game for ingenious game design then you’re missing the point.

GameSpy

The good news is even those who've never seen the comic strip can enjoy the fun combat system and great artwork. And if the storyline is only moderately interesting to those not familiar with the series' in-jokes, it's serviceable enough to hold the game together for its roughly six-hour play time.

PC Gamer

Fans of Penny Arcade will get a good laugh out of playing alongside Gabe and Tycho, but the game is a little more than interactive comic strip fun. [July 2008, p.82]

GameZone

While the light RPG elements aren't suited for more hardcore RPG fans, the game's humor and wit make it worth a look for fans of the web comic.

Games Radar

Of course, the real star of PAA isn’t the gameplay, but the humor. It’s a lot like playing a comic strip, and should be approached as such.

Play (Poland)

The fights in this adventure are quite rewarding, but the best part are the hilarious dialogues, biting humor and absurd jokes. Finding all the easter eggs and little winks will keep fans of the webcomic busy for hours, but one can enjoy this game without even knowing about the existence of Penny Arcade. [July 2008]

Gamer 2.0

This game just cannot be recommended to everyone for that price, but your decision should be based entirely on the demo itself.

PC Gamer UK

An excellent piece of fan-service, but the actual game part doesn't stand up to much dispassionate scrutiny. And now, if you're not a Penny Arcade fan, you can't criticize it for that. It's not for you. [June 2008, p.74]

Gaming Target

But for those of us who are members of the PA cult, Penny Arcade Adventures: On the Rain-Slick Precipice of Darkness Episode 1 is just what the doctor (Dr. Raven DarkTalon Blood that is) ordered.

IGN

To its credit, the Penny Arcade team doesn't attempt to pimp its own website and nothing about this smells of marketing tripe. It's a smart, fun game that would have been truly great with a wider range of enemies and environments and a touch more depth to the gameplay.

GameSpot

Penny Arcade Adventures is slick with rain, hobo stew, and all sorts of awesome, but it's for fans of the comic's brand of humor only.

1UP

Well, yeah. I think it's pretty darn fun.

Wired

$20 might seem like a bit much for a little over five hours of gameplay, although there's a lot of content packed into this first installment: Four largish 3-D environments, a dozen or so main characters, and reams of funny dialogue.

PC Format

A frustrating experience. [June 2008, p.106]

Edge Magazine

With the episodic development cycle all but demanding that structure and form be locked down in the first instalment, with content added thereafter, the series' future looks precarious at best. [June 2008, p.90]

The average user rating for this game is 8.4 (out of 10) based on 54 User Votes
Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.

Bob bananas gave it a1:
Piecee of crap, horrible game should not play even if you get it for free.

James S. gave it an8:
Was a fun game took me 8 hours to beat the game with every secret found so if your looking for a solid 7-8 hours of gameplay I would buy this.

Brandon D. gave it a10:
Never has such a minimalistic game delivered so much pure joy. The writing was fast, witty, and as slick as the aforementioned precipice of darkness. After finally figuring out the block aspect of the game, around 10-20 min in, I was in awe of the storyline that's depth mirrors an iceberg. You think, clowns, have to punch them all, and then you get engrossed in a conflict versus the Gods themselves. Flashy comic book style graphics, simple yet satisfying controls, and hilarious writing give this game all you need, even for a beginner. The only downfall is that its in episodic format so you only get about 6 hours worth of millage out of it. I for one will be spamming F5 to refresh their page so as not to miss episode 2.

Matt gave it a9:
A well thought out game that truly touched the core of "what used to be" in the gaming industry. The experience is entertaining, challenging, and humorous. The fighting is well balanced and isn't the lame one button clicking that more recent games have become. The episodic approach is nice, but I know some will not like this approach. The benefit for the creators is a more open time table and the ability to put more thought and detail into the experience. The downside is you are not buying a "whole game" in the classic sense. The fighting is good, and there is a range of enemies with both specific strengths and weaknesses. There's a lot of classic Final Fantasy feel. It might not be as dynamic as some folks would like, but it's GOOOOD, more so than I was even expecting. The boss battles are tough and require everything you've got. About the only thing I'd like more of is adventuring. The game play is rather linear and straight forward. Part of the classic adventure architecture is the open ended game play, roaming, just adventuring. The game is more exact and straight forward. You are always told what to do next, if not directly, in hints. There was little guess work. This is my only real gripe with the game.

Master gave it an8:
It' not a serious game, but its worth playing! As a break ,when playing serious game, its great!

Jacob B. gave it an8:
Combat seems impossible at first but gets playable and fun....definitely addicting.

Jesse S. gave it a10:
Excellent gameplay, hilarious writing, crisp and colorful 2D/3D artwork. Everything a fan of Penny Arcade or Adventure RPGs could ask for.