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

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8.4 User Score:

Generally favorable reviews

Based on 23 critic reviews
How did we calculate this?

Based on 58 votes
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Game Info

Publisher: Hothead Games

Developer: Hothead Games

Genre(s): Adventure, Role-Playing Game

Players: 1

ESRB Rating: M (Mature)

Release Date: May 21, 2008

Summary

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]

Cheat Codes & Hints: Cheat Code Central

Also On The Web: Official Website

What The Critics Said

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.

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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.

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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.

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Jolt Online Gaming UK

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

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Games Radar (in-house)

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.

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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.

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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]

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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.

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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.

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Pelit (Finland)

Respectably faithful to the Penny Arcade style. The battle system is fun, but otherwise the lack of meaningful content brings the game down; a story-based game should have a story that grabs you and won't let go. [Sept 2008]

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.

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1UP

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

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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.

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PC PowerPlay

The kind of eccentric humour and senseless attention to detail makes this worth a look, even if it can seem somewhat short, repetitive and claustrophobic. [Aug 2008, p.61]

PC Format

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

Total PC Gaming

A great accompaniment to the Penny Arcade canon, but ultimately feels a little thin on its own in the RPG field. [Issue#9, p.54]

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]

What Our Users Said

The average user rating for this game is 8.4 (out of 10) based on 58 User Votes

Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.

Tim B gave it a9:
Hilarious dark dialog and a brilliant take on adventure gaming. The cell shading is bright and suits the mood perfectly and I would recommend this to any one who can appreciate the Penny Arcade sense of humor. Not for everyone, but this game is for sure in my Top Ten ever.

meh meh gave it a7:
For the cheap price tag, Penny arcade delivers a funny and refreshing RPG. I use the term RPG loosely as there isn't that much depth to character creation, but the game is simply fun.

Ryan D gave it an8:
This game was better than I expected. It looks exactly like the comic, especially when it comes to characters. Voice acting would have been appreciated but it is still a fun but short game.

David F gave it a10:
I liked the demo so far. I'm going to unlock the full version today. The game play has elements not found in other adventure games.

James C gave it a9:
This is easily the best game I have played in a long time. The story is entertaining and humorous; the characters are detailed and likable; and the combat is simple, yet challenging. Though it was somewhat short for $20, every minute was enjoyable, making it the best 8 hours I've ever had for $20. My only complaints are that the controls weren't always intuitive (it took me until half way through the game to realize when I should block) and the story-based nature doesn't lend itself to replay or exploration. I absolutely loved playing this game and can't wait for the next episode.

Robert T gave it a9:
I enjoy PA, and I enjoyed this game. It's somewhat old-school rpg, in that you wait until you can preform an action (item, attack, or special attack) and you get to watch as each ability "recharges" The story is funny, the gameplay takes a little while to get used to, and the achievements they have are a fun diversion (though a couple of them are quite hard to achieve...no healing items on the last fight, or never letting anyone in the party die...those are pesky little tasks) I like it, it looks nice, plays well, and is a fun story.

Kevin Z gave it a9:
A truly delightful and addicting game! I bought this not expecting much, but I was drawn in after only 15 minutes. There is a great deal of humor, and you don't really need to be familiar with the comic to get it. Combat, while simple, is very fun and I didn't get bored of it. Unfortunately, there are relatively few puzzles that require only brain power. However, great game and well worth the 20 dollars and 6 hours required to play it!

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

Game Info

Summary

What The Critics Said

What Our Users Said

Upcoming &
Recent Releases