DeathSpank: The Baconing Previews

DeathSpank: The Baconing flew a bit under our radar after it was announced at the end of May, until now – at least – since we’ve rounded up a fresh batch of previews for the humorous hack’n’slash.

GameSpot:

Hothead games asked for player feedback and learned that people didn’t want fetch quests. Quests do generally revolve around doing something for someone, but this time the developer wanted to make sure that each quest mattered and that if you were to run out and get something, it would have a purpose. Combat has also been tweaked; you can now use a shield to bash enemies away from you, stunning them momentarily while you swoop in for a crushing blow. The added protection can also repel arrows back toward the enemy when timed correctly. You’ll once again be able to collect a variety of weapons, each with different charged attacks, and some have special area attacks as well.

The setting is heavily rooted in science fiction this time around, so you’ll notice a number of references to pop culture icons like the Jetsons, Robocop, Star Wars, and Battlestar Galactica. You have seven unique environments to explore, and our demo began in the Blade Runner-style city of Spanktopia. We were also given a tour of the Forbidden Zone, the Forest of Tomorrow, and Rainbow’s End, which you can view in the gameplay demo above. The art style hasn’t changed drastically, but you will notice that there’s less of that 2D pop-up art effect. Another issue for players in the first couple of games was that they were getting lost in the world and would wander aimlessly. The Baconing follows a more traditional linear progression, giving the option to go back, but it will be more clear where you need to go next. We’ve been told that there are enemy AI improvements, and you can now use your surroundings to your advantage by hiding behind cover or targeting the ever-so-helpful explosive barrels.

Joystiq:

The Baconing picks up with Deathspank taking a breather inside his stronghold, bored after all his conquests. With the dullness too much to bear, Deathspank takes up the Thongs of Virtue — the items he sought after and acquired in the second entry in the series — and decides to wear all six at once. Naturally, over-thonging releases a gigantic, evil version of himself: the Anti-Spank.

In order to vanquish this evil version of himself, Deathspank has to destroy five of the thongs in the mystical bacon fires, leaving himself with one pair to battle the Anti-Spank. Makes sense, right? If I had a dollar for how many evil clones of myself I had to kill while wearing a thong … well, I’d probably be earning more than Hothead’s executive VP in charge of plot creation.

But narrative implausability and dark Spanks aren’t the only worry for our hero. Enemies won’t mindlessly fire at Deathspank from behind obstacles; they move about the battlefield and employ group battle tactics. Melee enemies will rush Deathspank and ranged enemies will fire from afar. “You’re not going to be able to go through this and tap the A button or tap the X button and make it through,” Inglehart told me.

GamePro:

I’m given to understand that DeathSpank was considered hilarious in certain quarters, which is fine. Absurdist superheroes and constant references to thongs have their place. All the transparent references to film and television of the 1970s and 80s? Been done, I’m afraid, and better.

From what I’ve seen, there are nods toward Spaceballs (the luggage joke), Star Wars, RoboCop Tron, The Godfather; and weirdly enough, the Jetsons (a twisted “family of the future) and the old “Simon” toy (a malevolent supercomputer that forces you to remember color patterns). As usual, when it comes to humor, your mileage will vary. But for a game that prides itself on being funny, the jokes are more than a little forced.

A+E Interactive:

ADDING DEPTH TO COMBAT: When it comes to gameplay, Hothead Games updates the combat, making it more strategic. Trying to avoid the button-masher trap, the developers added a shield bash that helps DeathSpank manage hordes of foes. The shield also sends projectiles flying back at enemies. Meanwhile, crossbows now have a charge attack. It adds more oomph to the projectile, but at the same time, DeathSpank can’t move while power the shot.

Thirdly, there’s a new series of Justice Attacks. They work similar to the special move in Final Fight, where using it takes away health. In other words, they’re uber-moves that have the potential to kill a large amount of enemies. All players have to do is know the proper situation to activate it. For example, they can use a drill attack, where drill heads erupt from the ground. If that weren’t enough, DeathSpank has access to a laser designated dragon strike. Overall, players can find up to seven Justice Attacks and each one can be powered up to three levels.