DeathSpank

Let's face it, most RPGs take themselves way too seriously. Whether it's chasing down Satan, saving a kingdom, stopping evil corporations, or trying to battle against an invading force, with the exceptions of maybe a few nods in mission titles or dialog, most RPGs have no sense of humor.
 
DeathSpank decided that the world has had its share of serious RPGs. It's time to giggle while you save the world. From the opening cutscene explaining how DeathSpank's story involves "Steel and death and bacon" to the names and description of the armor and weapons, to the explanation of the final boss, DeathSpank will find something to make you smile. 
 
But a funny game doesn't always make a great game. Many hardcore RPG fans will probably scoff at an option to automatically equip the best armor, an option that I particularly enjoyed because it saved time on comparing this armor to that armor the whole game. Several will scratch their heads at an elemental rating on every item that doesn't seem to affect anything except ghosts (hint: use a weapon with nature damage). And I'm sure WoW fans will be angry that DeathSpank uses the same icons over NPC heads to start and complete a mission without bothering to show you a general location on the map to complete anything. But I don't care. I just wanted to keep playing even after the credits rolled (actually, I skipped them so I could start playing again sooner).
 
I will concede that the mission structure is a bit confusing at times. You'll often be tasked with something without any guidance as to how/where to accomplish it. But luckily, you can find fortune cookies that will provide hints as to how to proceed. There's not enough fortune cookies around to use them on every quest, but there's enough to get you through the most confusing.
 
I know what you're saying, though. OK, it's funny, and it has a few flaws in mechanics. But how does it play?
 
Well, controls aren't very complicated. Assign a weapon or potion to a button, and then hit that button to use it. It's nice to be able to have long distance weapons right alongside melee weapons and not have to switch between them. There is also Justice weapons that, after the Justice meter fills, will perform a specific attack based on the weapon you choose to implement. This is handy on large groups of enemies or on larger units. There are several types of potions to use, ranging from those that boost stats to those that physically affect you, like stealth. You will also pick up food products that require time to eat but restore a certain amount of health.
 
For most of the game, you'll have primary objectives that require several steps and will lead towards the end game. These are filed under "Important things to do" in the menu. Then, you will pick up side quests that help to level up and collect rarer weapons and armor. These are filed under "Unimportant things to do."
 
You'll also collect money, but it is virtually useless as anything that needs to be purchased for a mission costs a dollar. This is a Canadian game, after all. I only found the best armor in the game for purchase, though, and it cost $100,000 per piece. By that time, I had millions, though, so it was no problem.
 
Sure, this all sounds like a standard RPG, but I really don't care. DeathSpank is like an old sports car. The radio sucks, it has no CD player, fuel efficiency is measured in gallons per mile, and it always smells funny. But there is just something that is endearing about it that keeps you behind the wheel.