Strong Bad's Cool Game for Attractive People Episode 3: Baddest of the Bands Review
04 December 2008 | By JanaLee Stocks
What do you do when the fun machine game system breaks? Take it to Bub’s of course
Weeeeellllcommme baaaack! It is so much easier to rock out when you have a good microphone, which is an important tool as Strong Bad returns to the adventure game scene with Strong Bad’s Cool Game for Attractive People: Epidoes 3, Baddest of the Bands. I’m fairly sure they choose titles based on how long it takes to type it.
If you’re not familiar with the earlier episodes here’s the quick and dirty low down. Tell Tale Games, the innovators behind the first two seasons and upcoming third season of the episodic adventure game Sam and Max, teamed up with the folks behind Strong Bad and thus was born Strong Bad’s Cool Game for Attractive People. There are five episodes scheduled for this season, so we’re just past the half way point here.
Episode 3 picks up chronologically a bit after episode 2. If you haven’t played the earlier episodes, not to fear, all of the information you need will be revealed in episode 3 and the only thing you miss out on is a few jokes which refer back to the previous happenings and some of the props may seem out of place, but they’re carry overs.
If you are totally unfamiliar with the Strong Bad universe there are a lot of jokes and characters who will be a complete mystery to you. My suggestion is to watch a couple of the Strong Bad email skits over at Homestarrunner.com or just trust in the game and jump on in with both feet. The information you really need will be defined as you go.
Storywise I enjoyed this one a lot. It was fun to see Strong Bad both poke fun at and become part of the American Idol type mania, all in the name of fixing his precious Fun Machine. Everyone has a role to play and the tie in with the Albino Lithuania Bats cracked me up just as much as the bands and Strong Bad’s obsession with the long haired Limozeen!
The technical aspects of Episode 3 are not really changed much from the earlier episodes of the game, maintaining a high level of excellence. The background tracks work well for each of the scenes and the voice acting is spot on. Graphically the style matches perfectly to the source materials and the animation has a smooth flow to it which is pleasant to watch. Using the map to go instantly between scenes is still one of my favorite features along with the attitude of Strong Bad options which allow you to insult everyone you come across or pretend to be as much of an angel as SB is capable of.
The puzzle pieces of this episode never stopped me for too long. I like the hint feature, though it only came up a couple times, mostly when I was idling to get pizza and the game decided to give me a helping hand. So I’d say it stays with the average play of about four to six hours, definitely a good return on your investment. Much like Sam and Max the Strong Bad universe is perfect for this style of game because there is so much depth to explore and stretching the boundaries of the everyday is pretty much the definition of the everyday.
If you’re not familiar with the earlier episodes here’s the quick and dirty low down. Tell Tale Games, the innovators behind the first two seasons and upcoming third season of the episodic adventure game Sam and Max, teamed up with the folks behind Strong Bad and thus was born Strong Bad’s Cool Game for Attractive People. There are five episodes scheduled for this season, so we’re just past the half way point here.
Strong Bad’s singing voice is…kinda a shouting voice. | Please hit him with the guitar again? |
Episode 3 picks up chronologically a bit after episode 2. If you haven’t played the earlier episodes, not to fear, all of the information you need will be revealed in episode 3 and the only thing you miss out on is a few jokes which refer back to the previous happenings and some of the props may seem out of place, but they’re carry overs.
If you are totally unfamiliar with the Strong Bad universe there are a lot of jokes and characters who will be a complete mystery to you. My suggestion is to watch a couple of the Strong Bad email skits over at Homestarrunner.com or just trust in the game and jump on in with both feet. The information you really need will be defined as you go.
Storywise I enjoyed this one a lot. It was fun to see Strong Bad both poke fun at and become part of the American Idol type mania, all in the name of fixing his precious Fun Machine. Everyone has a role to play and the tie in with the Albino Lithuania Bats cracked me up just as much as the bands and Strong Bad’s obsession with the long haired Limozeen!
The technical aspects of Episode 3 are not really changed much from the earlier episodes of the game, maintaining a high level of excellence. The background tracks work well for each of the scenes and the voice acting is spot on. Graphically the style matches perfectly to the source materials and the animation has a smooth flow to it which is pleasant to watch. Using the map to go instantly between scenes is still one of my favorite features along with the attitude of Strong Bad options which allow you to insult everyone you come across or pretend to be as much of an angel as SB is capable of.
The puzzle pieces of this episode never stopped me for too long. I like the hint feature, though it only came up a couple times, mostly when I was idling to get pizza and the game decided to give me a helping hand. So I’d say it stays with the average play of about four to six hours, definitely a good return on your investment. Much like Sam and Max the Strong Bad universe is perfect for this style of game because there is so much depth to explore and stretching the boundaries of the everyday is pretty much the definition of the everyday.
Even Strong Mad takes a turn going solo. | The King of Town is not the King of Rock. |
STRONG BAD'S COOL GAME FOR ATTRACTIVE PEOPLE EPISODE 3: BADDEST OF THE BANDS VERDICT
Overall the games feel and story continues to impress and wins my seal of approval. It’s a good balance between casual gaming and still offering a challenge. Baddest of the Bands is fun to play and the writing is consistently strong, making for a good series. I’m not so sure about seeing the Cheat in a bikini, but when you’re recreating the coolest album cover ever and you need a hot blond…well…Marizpan will just hit you in the head with a guitar.
TOP GAME MOMENT
Watching Marzipan hit Strong Bad in the head with a guitar… It’s the simple things in life that count and anyone beating on Strong Bad is funny.