In South Park: Snow Day!, the irreverent world of South Park collides with the chaos of a massive blizzard, resulting in a quirky action/brawling-focused co-op adventure that offers a departure from the series’ previous RPG ventures. Developed by Question and published by THQ Nordic, this multiplatform title invites players to join Cartman, Stan, Kyle, and Kenny in a three-dimensional romp through the snowy streets of South Park. Does it live up to the high quality of the well-received previous games though? We tested the PS5 version to find out.
Set against the backdrop of a town paralyzed by a blizzard, Snow Day! kicks off with a hilarious cartoon opening sequence, showcasing the absurdity of the situation as the residents grapple with the chaos. As the “New Kid”, players find themselves thrust into Cartman and Kyle’s ongoing fantasy war between loosely-themed wizards and elves, with the fate of South Park hanging in the balance. And while the gameplay that follows isn’t as narrative-driven as the opening suggests, the intro certainly managed to cement Snow Day as a South Park title by tapping into what has made the franchise so enduring.
One of the standout features of Snow Day! is its wave-based, co-op third-person action gameplay, offering both melee and ranged combat options. The combat mechanics, while rudimentary and ultimately underwhelming when you look past the South Park veneer, deliver satisfyingly chaotic encounters as players relentlessly dispatch enemies with a variety of weapons and abilities. The addition of power-up cards adds depth to the combat, allowing players to customize their playstyle and strategize their approach to each encounter.
However, despite its humorous premise and entertaining combat, Snow Day! falls short in some areas. The game’s environments feel relatively small and lackluster, with limited incentives to explore beyond the main objectives. Additionally, the difficulty can be frustratingly unforgiving at times, especially when faced with (intentionally) overpowered “Bullshit” cards that can be hilarious but can abruptly end a run.
While Snow Day! delivers on the South Park license with its charming characters and witty dialogue, the amount of content on display and its overall replay value may leave some players wanting more. With only five relatively short levels to get through, the game struggles to maintain long-term engagement, despite its humorous and nostalgic appeal. In all likelihood, even for most South Park fans, this is going to be a game you’ll only play once. That playthrough might be fun, but it’s the South Park flavor rather than the gameplay that you’ll remember.
In summary, South Park: Snow Day! offers a fun and amusing co-op experience that will appeal to fans of the series looking for a lighthearted romp through the snow-covered streets of South Park. However, its repetitive gameplay loop and lack of depth may leave some players feeling unsatisfied in the long run. Ultimately, while it may not reach the heights of its predecessors, Snow Day! delivers enough laughs and chaos to entertain for a few evenings of snowy escapades with friends – just set your expectations accordingly.
Score: 6.8/10
Press Play Media 