Menu Close

DeathSpank Preview

Scheduled release date:
TBA
Publisher:
Hothead Games
Developer:
Hothead Games
Number Of Players:
1-4
Genre:
Action/RPG
Release Date:
TBA


If you didn’t get a chance to attend this year’s PAX event, you missed out on a few interesting pieces of information, including Ron Gilbert’s presentation of his new quirky adventure, DeathSpank . If you’re not familiar, Gilbert is the guy who was responsible for the popular and critically acclaimed Monkey Island titles, and let’s not forget about the lesser known yet still appealing Maniac Mansion . For those of you who have been grieving over the demise of the pure “Adventure” genre, you have likely played and enjoyed Gilbert’s brainchilds before, and you’ll definitely want to give DeathSpank a try. It will undoubtedly feature that patented Gilbert flair; lots of genuinely hilarious jokes and puns, plus an overall atmosphere and attitude that is specifically designed to put a smile on the face of the player. Heck, just taking a gander at the screenshots makes us grin.

The main character goes by the name of – yep, you guessed it – DeathSpank. He’s your standard over-the-top hero: cocky, square-jawed, Don Quixote-like delusions of grandeur, and of course, a sharp sense of humor that is bound to come across as somewhat abrasive to those who are too serious. He will encounter all sorts of eccentric characters during his travels and that includes the likes of Eubrick, who was on display during the PAX presentation according to IGN. This guy goes backwards in telling anyone with an ear about his courageous exploits, but at some point, we learn he was once known as “Sally.” …hmm…yeah, we’re laughing already. The artistic style of the game itself kinda reminds us of a cross between the Penny Arcade Adventures titles and the recently released Fat Princess ; it’s not meant to be flashy or technically polished, because the aim is to be amusingly appealing in all the right ways. This may be a vague prediction, but you get the gist.

Perhaps the screens don’t do the game justice but in case you need more in the way of description, you should know that it’s a 2D presentation that is akin to creating an entire world out of folded sheets of paper. The landscape is in 3D, of course, but the objects that inhabit this landscape – characters included – are all made of this 2D “paper,” which gives the entire game a very unique appearance. Once you consider the fact that DeathSpank is a colorful main character (complete with alternate costumes; if you wish to look like a pirate, so be it), you’ll understand that such a title should be aesthetically original and pleasing. Once they release some video previews of the game, we’ll be sure to bring them to you, but in the meantime, you have to admit that Hothead is definitely on the right track with this one. Really, if we’ve got the humor nailed down and the atmosphere is both unique and attractive in the eyes of many, all that’s left is to solidify the basic controls and make the gameplay accessible and perhaps even addictive.

One of the reasons we make the comparison to Fat Princess isn’t because this game is based on strategy (which it isn’t); it’s because there will be an absurd amount of violence superimposed over that apparently inoffensive and even cutesy exterior. DeathSpank will wander around with a cleaver – yes, a freakin’ cleaver – but there are many other weapons of slashing and bashing destruction to be found. And each of those weapons can be upgraded, so they can better deal with the marauding hordes of skeletons and spiders and, if you like, you can send in the…chickens on fire. We’re not sure what kind of danger fiery chickens pose to the denizens from the depths of hell, but it sure as hell contributes to the cacophony of insanity that will likely surround the crazy main character on a frequent basis. We’re talking about a hack ‘n slash style of gameplay that rivals most of the action/RPGs you’ve played in the past, so make sure you’ve got that mashin’ finger ready!

DeathSpank may be released later this year but for now, it only has a frustrating “TBA” as a release date. We’ll keep you updated.

Subscribe
Notify of
guest
14 Comments
Oldest
Newest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Banky A
Banky A
14 years ago

Wow, I like the graphics style.


Last edited by Banky A on 9/7/2009 11:07:23 PM

Scarecrow
Scarecrow
14 years ago

Same
Almost looks like those creative ps1 games. And that is not a bad thing, ps1 games where graphical marvels in its days, but more importantly experimented<—a very important concept

Will keep my eye on this

Jed
Jed
14 years ago

me too, it looks pretty cool

WorldEndsWithMe
WorldEndsWithMe
14 years ago

"2D presentation that is akin to creating an entire world out of folded sheets of paper."

If memory serves, that's how I spent every day in grade school.

Ben Dutka PSXE
Ben Dutka PSXE
14 years ago

HA.

Scarecrow
Scarecrow
14 years ago

Looks good, almost reminds me of Medevil

Banky A
Banky A
14 years ago

Almost reminds me of.. you avatar face!
Oh snap! Bitchtroot (pronounced beetch-troot)!

Jed
Jed
14 years ago

I would hate to have a deathspank, but this game looks promising. Please keep us informed.

___________
___________
14 years ago

LMAO thats officially the best name for a video game ever.
ah on second thought second.
the best still and always will be holy invasion of privacy batman what have i done to deserve this……
CLASSIC!
has anyone else noticed they took my favorite line out of batman AA?
in the demo where the goons shoot that guy, joker said "attention arkham inmates blah blah blah than and should be considered costumed and dangerous"
i was dying to hear that in the game, and after finishing the game and replaying that bit 12 times he does not say it 🙁
why rocksteady why did you take the best one liner of a video game out, why o what possessed you to do so.
but than "he may look like a idiot, walk like a idiot and sound like a idiot, but dont let that fool you he really is a idiot"
i guess that will have to do.

Titch1794
Titch1794
14 years ago

LOL, what a name fpr a game.

mick
mick
14 years ago

I like the graphics style – definitely has a Monkey Island/Fat Princess look to it. Gameplay looks "over the top" fun, too.

One thing I didn't see is if this will be a PSN release? From what little I've seen, this would be a good $15 title. Speaking of $15 titles, Ben are you going to share a review of Smash Cars with us?

Here's a link to a trailer – shows gameplay footage about halfway through:

http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/94486-DeathSpank-Trailer-Looks-Promising

LinTr
LinTr
14 years ago

Seems worthy of a buy. Awaiting more info…

LowKey
LowKey
14 years ago

lol it actually looks pretty cool

whooka
whooka
14 years ago

Sounds like the title of a Metalocalypse episode, though I guess that would be DethSpank.

14
0
Would love your thoughts, please comment.x
()
x