South Park: Snow Day! Preview: Multiplayer Mayhem with a Dash of Absurdity

South Park: Snow Day! takes a departure from the traditional RPG format of previous South Park games, offering a roguelike-inspired battle experience set in a 3D environment. Scheduled for release on March 26, this multiplayer spin-off transports players to the chaotic snowy streets of South Park, where they can team up with friends or AI bots for runs through different areas of the town.

The game features the New Kid as the main character, supporting up to four players and delivering a Hades-like experience with waves of enemies, challenging boss battles, melee and ranged weapons, special powers, and the humorously named Bullshit powers. The latter reset with each run, while perks purchased with Dark Matter and character cosmetics persist. Players can expect a frenetic gameplay experience, complete with screaming for health totems and contending with characters like Princess Kenny attempting to charm players with weaponized hearts.

One notable aspect is the slightly floaty feeling in the movement, which may require some adjustment. Bosses introduce challenging elements, such as Stan’s elf warrior alter ego utilizing a thorny vine attack to keep players at a distance. However, despite these challenges, the game promises chaotic fun, underscored by Cartman’s commentary and the authentic sounds of children engaging in heated battles.

Beneath its seemingly simple premise lies an extra layer of depth, delivered with the trademark South Park wit. Bullshit powers add a unique twist, involving spurious rules managed through Bullshit cards that grant overpowered but limited-use abilities. Before each run, players choose one upgrade card and one Bullshit card, ensuring variety and unpredictability. The game incorporates three types of currency: toilet paper, Dark Matter, and Platinum Pieces. Dark Matter holds particular importance, allowing players to purchase perks and enhance stats between runs.

South Park: Snow Day! immerses players in the South Park universe, featuring familiar characters like Professor Chaos and Wizard Cartman. The game’s setup involves Arctic conditions, providing the kids with time off school for Dungeons and Dragons-style battles. It offers a combat-focused experience suitable for repeated playthroughs with friends, and plans are in place to introduce additional content over time.

Despite the new 3D look and subtle character design changes, the game captures the quintessence of South Park, promising laughter and entertainment. Cartman’s altered appearance becomes normalized after a brief adjustment period. The game’s lasting appeal will become evident post-release, aiming to preserve the spirited essence of South Park in the gaming landscape.