When I heard Penny Arcade was going to step out of the critic's bubble and release an actual game, I expected a goofy title containing a surfeit of dick jokes, oblique Lovecraft references, and general oddity. Upon downloading On the Rain-slick Precipice of Darkness: Episode One, I was pleased to find that not only were the aforementioned qualities to be found in abundance, but that the game happens to be one of the most enjoyable I have ever played. Buy it right away.
The real key is the battle system. Rainslick uses a combo turn-based and real-time approach (like FFX-2 or FFXII) and features limit breaks, summons, and a quick-twitch block ability which cuts down on the unavoidable finger-drumming time. Much, much better than I expected from a $20 game.
Naturally, the art is going to be a major part of a title based on a webcomic. I would almost compare the experience to Okami, in that the sense of playing the comic comes through very well.
In addition, Rainslick seems tailor-made to avoid my pet peeves and tickle my pet fancies. For example, you can save anywhere. Screw that 'save-point' bullshit. There's stuff to unlock, stuff to find, stuff to upgrade. All kinds of stuff.
One note: many reviews describe the game as steampunk. This is not true. Zero steampunk. #1 - It's set in the 20's. #2 - None of the playable characters are scientists. #3 - No brass. #4 - Too many mimes.
And how does one not love a game that features the Fruit Fucker 2000?
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