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If the idea of monkeys fighting robots doesn’t interest you, then we should just end this farce of a relationship right now.

Still here? Good.

Gabe and Tycho are back to kick evil where it hurts the most – in the juicer. As the next volume in their Nerd-onomicon, the steam punk detectives are back to their old ways and you are still without house.  Fans of the first game won’t be disappointed with their second serving of adventure, but newcomers might want to play catch-up before tackling this quest.

Coin Operated Entertainment

Ink and fake paper come back to life in this turn-based RPG that will keep your fingers moving even while you’re waiting. Gabe, Tycho, and your avatar are back at it to discover the sinister plot behind the flood of flagitious fruit fu… lovers appearing out of nowhere to cause general malice to fruit and people alike. This time around, our adventure leads us closer to the truth as we search the depths of an insane asylum, plunge head first into the toxic decedent that is posh society, and stir up some trouble in a science symposium. Each of the areas has its own style with plenty of places to search for extra goodies ranging from unlockables to items used in battle. As before, however, don’t expect too ransack too many areas as you look for items for Anne-Claire’s newest invention.

The humor here is easily one of the best features of the game – firmly placing tongue to cheek and then placing that cheek to a copy of Dungeons & Dragons v.3.5. Everything from the attacking enemies to the random people you talk to have that bit of nerdcore edge that Penny Arcade is most known for. Gamers just jumping in for the first time may miss some of the subtle jokes from the previous installment such as “Why am I always asking about a place to rent?” or “Why is this mime talking to me?” While Gabe and Tycho remain text only, the cutscenes and voice over work will keep a smile on your face for awhile.

Fighting the Social Disease

As before, Penny Arcade Adventure focuses more on the battle and less on the grind. Forget mana. This is time management. A quick roll of a D20 sets up initiative and the rest is a waiting game. Items light up first and allow you to use any number of heals, buffs, debuffs, and other odd assortment of items that you may pick up from the ground. There’s not a shop in site so if you want something, you’ll need to search every nook and trashcan to restock your supplies. Weapons light up next with a super attack coming in last. That last bit plays out like a minigame where hitting the buttons at the right time or in the correct order will do extra damage or break your adversary into a million bloody pieces.

Penny Arcade gets it right by going with this quick RPG model and avoids the grinding in a downloadable game. On the other hand, you never feel like you’re gaining on the ever increasing horde of adversaries since they always increase in power as you level up. Thankfully, health comes back after every battle so you can easily slide into the next rumble with metal fruit fu… fetishists without missing a beat. Battles are fun but they wear on you as you pull the same strategies on the same enemies. As an indication that they are going in the right direction, Episode 2 adds in more baddies to bash and a much needed block indicator.

Like Flipping Off a Box of Kitten – FUN!

Episode 2 follows the first with only a couple of extra bells and whistles but not enough to push it into that higher echelon. The drop in price easies the pain but a subscription service would have been a bit easier on the wallet. If you want to take this ride again, an extra Insane Mode has been added that will test you as well as reward those who dare make it through. You can also import your old character from Vol. 1 with a little bonus, but it’s not a deal breaker if you don’t have him. All of this is nice but not necessary. 

Don’t get me wrong, this is still a great game packed with just about all the humor, puzzle, and RPG-elements that an avid nerd could want from a downloadable title. Penny Arcade Adventures: On the Rain-Slick Precipice of Darkness Episode Two is the type of game that makes you want to dust off that green felt cloak and curl up with a sack of dice. 

Article by: Rob Manuel