Review: Strong Bad’s Cool Game for Attractive…

Homestar Runner, the bizarre and eccentric brain child of Mike and Matt Chapman, was a perfect match for Telltale’s neo-point and click revival. As the internet cartoon relies on web and videogame in-jokes as the main source of giggles, Strong Bad and Homestar Runner were inevitably going to end up in a videogame.

You play the role of Strong Bad, a narcissistic jerk with a wrestling mask and boxing gloves, in a point and click adventure to explore the world of Homestar Runner and sabotage the titular character’s day.

While the game features a complete plot, with a 3-4 hour competition time and full voice work, ‘For Attractive People features the same intrigue as Virtual Springfield or the recently released LOST game. Outside of the main quest and the number of puzzles you must complete, players can explore the world, create “Teen Girl Squad” cartoons, play “Videlectrix” games and hunt for all manner of collectable doodads.

This game will no doubt strike a chord with every Homestar fan as all manner of characters are included, in-jokes are told and staples of the web show crop-up. It’s a little confusing to differentiate between the main game and the excess fluff, but it does provide challenge and extra excursions once the game is complete.

Strong Bad is exponentially easier than Sam and Max’s excursions; we completed the game without using a walkthrough once. Any tricky puzzles, most of which call on years of classic Point and Click design, are helped with the game’s variable hint system. Depending on its setting, characters will spout clues and thoughts at shorter and shorter intervals.

The point and click has a few leaps of common sense in line with the internet show’s irreverent humour, but your dilemmas, and your influence on the world, are communicated through both graphics and dialogue.

Cool Game for Attractive People offers an incredible treatment of the series. The Chapman’s influence is obvious as there really is little to discern between the game and the cartoon. Even Homestar’s jump to 3D is very organic and far from jarring.

I haven’t visited Homestar Runner’s webpage in years, but Telltale’s game is the ideal way to check-in to the lives of Homestar, Strong Bad and The Cheat. The title weaves flawlessly timed comedy and inventive puzzles into a tiny package, bursting at the seams with charm and character. For Homestar Runner fans, it’s a must buy.