There’s one particular moment in the game, about three-quarters in, that I’d love to state – it so perfectly sums up the depth of inappropriate grossness this reaches, and the really bemusing references to real life people who will surely, surely want to try to sue over. I’m not going to, because it’s far too big of a reveal. Let’s just say “abortion clinic” and let your imagination roll on from there. It’s gobsmacking – and it’s so beyond offensive that it’s hard to be offended. Where I found problems were in the ideas that occur before this degree of shock. Where it’s just saying “rape” because “rape” is a shocking thing, eh?
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Anal rape, as it happens. And this is where that complicity really stands out. At one point, your actions cause someone else to be anally raped. And yes, in its context, and the reactions to it, were funny. But not that funny. Not funny enough for it to have felt worth it. And especially when, unlike most episodes of the show, without being there for a purpose. There’s no point being made. It’s just that they once had that anal probing episode, so there’s anal probing in the game. This wanton use of offensive ideas (and they are numerous) without there being a reason beyond their being offensive, is something that I found occasionally too icky. Your own personal levels of ickiness will vary. If you are at all sensitive to matters of sexual assault, racism, disablism, and so on, then yes, be advised.
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My personal position is that I have the right to be offended, and will fight for that right. How much I want to choose to take part in the creation of that offence is something I’ve yet to work out. The Stick Of Truth crossed the line for me a couple of times. Hell, just the use of worn swastikas and recorded Nazi audio being shouted by zombie attackers feels a bit shit, before that goes far, far further.
