Game Info
GAME NAME: Stick it To The Man
DEVELOPER(S): Ripstone Games
PUBLISHER(S): Zoink!
PLATFORM(S): Xbox One
GENRE(S): Puzzle/Adventure
RELEASE DATE(S): August 28th, 2014
This was my second time playing through Stick it to the Man and it was just as enjoyable as the first. Zoink! Games and Ripstone have created many zany and memorable characters in this title. Stick it To The Man is a very unique and extremely original game that literally gives the platforming genre a new twist. Zoink! Games have already released this title on quite a few other platforms and have now finally it has graced the Xbox One with it’s AAA feel.
In this title, you play as Ray, who works as a hardhat tester and on a walk home is suddenly met with a painful and yet nifty surprise. Without getting into the story too much, the game focuses heavily on using this stringy pink noodle floating above your head to solve puzzles and even read peoples minds. Stick it To The Man has to be one of the funniest titles I’ve played in quite awhile and playing it a second time, I laughed just as much. The Xbox One version of Stick it To The Man has an exclusive art gallery to unlock. To unlock their original artwork for the game, you will have to achievement hunt just to see the art they have in store for you.
The controls are very well done in a platforming aspect, but using the right analog stick to direct the noodle like hand is frustrating at times if there are a group of people close together making it hard to hit the correct target. Even with that one complaint though, it won’t take away from the rest of the game’s flawless experience. Stick it To The Man has some very clever puzzles to solve, which almost always creates a hilarious outcome. Jumping along platforms to reach other areas is just as expected in any typical platforming game, with the exception of not punishing you for falling to your doom.
Stick it To The Man has one of the best art style presentations I’ve seen in a long time. Zoink! Games got it perfect with the paper/cardboard look and I strongly feel this is how Paper Mario should look from here on out. There are tons of colors and a huge variety of original character designs that you won’t seem to forget. I commend the artist who pushed the ideas of these characters and their personal looks that make them that much different from the next.
This game is 100% fully voiced and I have to say they did a fantastic job creating unique dialogue and character personalities. I still catch myself quoting lines from the game (Can’t stop this dance train!) for no apparent reason, which is great that they were able to make a memorable game such as this. The sound effects and ambiance are well done and fit the atmosphere and events perfectly without overdoing it.
The Recommendation
Stick it To The Man is possibly one of the best indie titles I have played in a long time and quite frankly better than some AAA titles. I have recommended this game to quite a few and plan on many more, simply because I feel this is a must play experience. Even though it is a very short game, it still holds a high place in one of the best titles I’ve played this year. For $9.99 it is a must have and I feel no one should be disappointed with this purchase, simply from the quality that has been delivered.
