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Macworld has published a new review of Hothead Games' Penny Arcade Adventures: On the Rain-Slick Precipice of Darkness, Episode Two. In the latest chapter in the series players rejoin Gabe and Tycho in a quest that moves ever closer to solving the mystery in the heart of New Arcadia. Macworld gave Episode 2 a score of 3.5 out of 5 mice.

I find it’s moments when you recognize characters from the comic, like Tycho’s inventor niece Annarchy, and Charles the Mac-addicted “friend,” that you really geek out and appreciate the subtlety perks of the game. Admittedly, a game that features fornicating robots isn’t exactly high on the subtlety meter, and players new to the series may be turned off by a seemingly unending parade of bizarre and shocking characters.

One of the biggest knocks on the series so far has been the combat system. While more approachable than many RPG systems, it’s shallow, tedious, and quickly becomes the most limited aspect of the game. You’re essentially limited to a standard attack, power attack (you unlock three power attacks per character over the course of the game) and the use of several items. There are side-characters that can be called upon (like Div the obsolete phonograph player, who will vomit on your enemies) and you perform defensive maneuvers by timing your blocks. The developers sought to break up the typical formula of RPG combat by introducing real-time actions in combat, like button-smashing mini games to perform power-moves. But by the sixth hour, the humorously named attacks lose their mirth and the timing of the power-moves becomes a chore.

Macworld: Penny Arcade Adventures Episode 2 Review

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Penny Arcade Adventures (add to watch list)

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