The good and the bad - Freddy Pharkus Edition.

[Tawmis]

Every game has something good and something bad about it...

So what would you say is good AND bad about the following...

Freddy Pharkus -

[Rath Darkblade]

Freddy Pharkas... let's see.

GOOD:
- Nice depiction of the Old West
- Typical Al humour, flatulent horses and all
- Good music (not surprised, as Al is an accomplished musician).
- Decent graphics, excellent voices. Freddy + Narrator banter.
- Great Death scenes ... Have A Nice Death!
(Speaking of which, this death sure is fun).

BAD:
- The Native American depiction could definitely strike some as insensitive.
- Referring to the manual to make medicine is definitely anti-cheating mechanism, but it's not overdone (like in CotL) so it's no problem.
- Time-limited puzzles in Act II (Flatulent City, Stop the Fire) is not helpful.

[Tawmis]

Freddy Pharkas... let's see.
BAD:
- Referring to the manual to make medicine is definitely anti-cheating mechanism, but it's not overdone (like in CotL) so it's no problem.
- Time-limited puzzles in Act II (Flatulent City, Stop the Fire) is not helpful.

Would definitely agree with both of these.

The manual is why I've not replayed the game as often as other Sierra games, when I just want to relax my brain.

[Rath Darkblade]

Freddy Pharkas... let's see.
BAD:
- Referring to the manual to make medicine is definitely anti-cheating mechanism, but it's not overdone (like in CotL) so it's no problem.
- Time-limited puzzles in Act II (Flatulent City, Stop the Fire) is not helpful.

Would definitely agree with both of these.

The manual is why I've not replayed the game as often as other Sierra games, when I just want to relax my brain.

Hmm, on the other hand, I think you only need the manual for 3 puzzles in Act 1 and one (I think?) in Act 2, i.e. the water infection thing.

Also, I think I'm going to change my mind about about the depiction of Native Americans. *shrug* Yes, It's simple and unrealistic, but it's also a comedy game -- so the only reason anyone could be offended is if they WANT to be offended. Right?

I mean, it's not like "Freddy Pharkas" treats the Wild West or cowboys with any kind of reverence. For a realistic depiction, there are plenty of documentaries, and this isn't one (and doesn't pretend to be one).

[notbobsmith]

GOOD: The humor is pretty good at sending up old Western tropes. Freddy is more of a Dudley Do-Right than your typical brooding Western protagonist (Cam Clarke does a great job in the talkie version). The snail stampede. The school marm being the main villain.

BAD: The scatological humor could be a bit much for my taste.

Also, I think I'm going to change my mind about about the depiction of Native Americans. *shrug* Yes, It's simple and unrealistic, but it's also a comedy game -- so the only reason anyone could be offended is if they WANT to be offended. Right?

Are there any Native American's in the game? I thought the joke was that the one "Indian" was actually from India.

[Rath Darkblade]

Sigh. I replied to this, I know I did!! >: I even had pictures from Sierra Chest! Now I have to find them again! What a nuisance. >:

Let's try again ...

BAD: The scatological humor could be a bit much for my taste.

That actually never bothered me that much. I think there are only two examples of it (the horse-pie in the street which you put at Mum's, and the people queuing up to the toilet), so it's not as if the whole game is all about, er ... to put it politely, bodily emanations. (If it was, it would be aimed at three year olds. "Peeing and pooing, all the time!! Whatta game!"

Also, I think I'm going to change my mind about about the depiction of Native Americans. *shrug* Yes, It's simple and unrealistic, but it's also a comedy game -- so the only reason anyone could be offended is if they WANT to be offended. Right?

Are there any Native American's in the game? I thought the joke was that the one "Indian" was actually from India.
[/quote]

Yes, there are. Exhibit one is Dominic, a kind of parody of the old-style Native American wooden statues that used to be (and many still are?) outside and inside pharmacies and bars. He only has a small role, though.

I think I remember a second Native American at some point, but I can't remember his name. His role is even smaller.

Also, although he's not Native American, Exhibit 2 is Hop Sing, the Chinese cook at Mum's.

On first glance, these two (and also Srini, Freddy's helper!) may appear to be simple offensive stereotypes. But if you look closer, you'll realise that they are parodies of what racists think that Native Americans, Chinese people and Indian people look and sound like.

This, plus the above-mentioned 'scatological humour', may be why Freddy Pharkas has been compared to "Blazing Saddles", one of my favourite films.

And no, there's not that much scatology in Blazing Saddles, either. On the other hand, it has a heck of a lot of adult humour of all kinds, but hey! I'm an adult, I have a sense of humour (most of the time) -- so let's watch the film. (Plus, it really sticks it to racist a-holes, which is always a good thing).