One of the keys to South Park 's long success is its rudimentary animation. It's why the creators could put a show together at little expense; episodes can be turned around fast enough to include relevant, topical jokes; and it's the reason a videogame can look and sound exactly like the cartoon without breaking a sweat.

You play New Kid who moves to the famous Colorado town and befriends Cartman, Kenny & co and then gets dragged into a fantasy backyard game and a quest for a magical item that rules all . . . the Stick of Truth.

What this amounts to is a role-playing game played by kids with toys, sticks, stones and homemade weapons. The idea of an RPG as a kids’ fantasy is genius, and it’s perfectly executed, working extremely well as a conventional game as well as an interactive episode of the show itself.

You can choose to be a "fighter, mage, thief or Jew" and you're introduced to the other kids, including Scott, "who has the power of diabetes". The Stick of Truth has all of the trappings of a traditional, well-constructed RPG – extensive menus, maps, fast travel, levelling up, exploration and combat. The turn-based fights are surprisingly polished and exciting – more satisfying and effective, in fact, than in many more serious RPGs.

South Park creators Trey Park and Matt Stone are heavily involved in The Stick of Truth , lending their vocal and writing talents to the project and adding their signature cocktail of clever satire and puerile gags, though some jokes have been censored in many territories (including Europe).

Still, The Stick of Truth delivers everything you could want in an RPG – plus fart jokes. ubi.com