Thank Goodness You're Here Review - Propa Bri'ish

As a huge fan of quirky and absurdist games, I was absolutely thrilled when I stumbled upon Thank Goodness You’re Here! This delightful little gem, developed by Coal Supper, had me hooked from the moment I answered “A’tha from Tarn?” in the game’s unique northern English accent. The immersive experience of a fictional town in Barnsworth, with its distinctly British humor and charming art style, transported me back to my childhood days spent watching Wallace and Gromit and reading classic British comics like The Beano, The Dandy, and Viz.


In the game “Thank Goodness You’re Here!,” your initial job is to respond to the query, “What’s that from Tarn?” The response you give will influence the language used in the game’s menus and subtitles. If your answer doesn’t already give it away, “Thank Goodness You’re Here!” is likely one of the most British games ever created, focusing on northern England and the fictional town of Barnsworth, which is close to Barnsley. Developed by Coal Supper, a duo who grew up in the post-industrial area, this absurd comedy “slapformer” is an uproarious adventure. Not every person will find it appealing, but few games have left me with such delight on my face.

A young supporter of Barnsworth’s football team greets you warmly by exclaiming “I’m Glad You’re Here!” as you enter a kitchen decorated with red and white scarves and team photos. He’s seated at the dining table, sipping dark tea, and asks for your help in fetching milk since he’s too frightened to go get it himself due to his fear of milk. Therefore, you embark on a journey to the local farm where Bessie the cow requires a bag of chips as an incentive to give milk. You head to Marge’s Chippo for the chips, but find the queue lengthy after their recent deep fat fryer repair. Consequently, you must travel further across town, encountering more amusing distractions before finally obtaining the coveted milk.

Thank Goodness You're Here Review - Propa Bri'ish

In essence, Thank Goodness You’re Here is not just about completing simple errands. You assume the role of a small traveling salesman in Barnsworth, eagerly awaiting your meeting with the mayor. Instead of idling away time in the waiting room, you embark on a journey through town, where the residents are more than happy to assign you a string of bizarre tasks. As you navigate Barnsworth’s quirky streets and assist its eccentric inhabitants, your actions leave a lasting impact, unlocking new areas for further exploration as you tackle increasingly unusual jobs.

In simpler terms, you’ll encounter 2D platforming sequences interspersed with expansive 3D environments where you can roam freely and tap everything and everyone around you. The term “tapformer” could be used instead, as tapping is the primary means of interacting with objects and characters. You may find yourself hitting people over the head to initiate conversations or tapping inanimate items like postboxes, pigeons, doors, vegetables, and traffic bollards. Occasionally, you’ll destroy what you tap, while other times you might uncover a joke or the way forward. It’s somewhat similar to Untitled Goose Game, but with more defined objectives for causing mischief in Barnsworth’s town.

Navigating between different parts of the map can be a bit confusing at first. You advance by moving right, which leads you in a circle around the town. This means taking steps forward also involves going backward. It may seem counterintuitive initially, but with practice and observing how areas transform upon revisits, it becomes clearer (similar to descending into a well to reach the fish market). Still, I’d appreciate having a few more locations added to expand the town and provide additional gameplay.

In this game, its unconventional structure is hard to challenge given its constant supply of humor. The absurdity and surrealism are prevalent in every joke, such as swimming through beer with a chatty bottle or shopping at the extended Price Shaggers supermarket with a bedridden owner whose hand stretches for miles. Although it may seem irrational, its effectiveness lies in its roots – a relatable starting point in a small Yorkshire town.

British comedy has the power to cross cultural boundaries, but not all of it does. Thank Goodness You’re Here! falls into the category of those that manage to please a wider audience. While some jokes may be lost on those unfamiliar with UK culture and specific Yorkshire folklore, there are plenty more that will leave you laughing no matter your background. The humor in this game is reminiscent of Wallace and Gromit’s quirky approach, but with a more mature twist and a dose of the absurd and dark. The visuals add to the hilarity, with a style that combines elements of Adventure Time and classic British comics like The Beano, The Dandy, and Viz. Characters and their designs are as amusing as the writing itself, and there’s no shortage of visual gags to discover.

Thank Goodness You're Here Review - Propa Bri'ish

Each member of the voice cast brings the residents of Barnsworth to life in a remarkable way. For instance, Matt Berry brilliantly voices Herbert, the unfortunate gardener, who is found fiddling with a hose when you enter his space and mutters, “I’ve been at this pipe for days now, just about finished then I can go home to my puzzles.” A litter picker in a hi-viz jacket shares his enthusiasm for puzzles as well. The Scottish handyman, Jasper, is always misplacing his tools and blaming theft. Witness the blossoming romance between Florence, the meat-counter girl at Big Ron’s Big Pie shop, and the Mother Megg’s Buttery Goods delivery boy. When you return to find the pub owner still pondering the “today’s special” sign, you later observe that he has settled on the simple yet effective label: “Drinks.” From the voice acting to the writing to the character designs and environmental elements, Coal Supper has created an exceptionally immersive atmosphere that endures even amidst chaos.

Growing up, I was a huge fan of classic cartoons and comics. They brought me endless hours of entertainment and joy. So, when I heard about Thank Goodness You’re Here!, a game that promised an absurd adventure with a nostalgic twist, I couldn’t resist. And let me tell you, this game didn’t disappoint!

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2024-07-29 20:09