Publisher: Telltale Games
Developer: Telltale Games
System: PC
Minimum requirements: Windows XP/Vista
Genre: Adventure
Release date: Available now
Review by: Michael Smith

Telltale Games seems to have found the secret of episodic content. Ritual failed to make the Sin Episodes last longer than one installment, and Valve has stretched out its planned release of the entire Half Life 2 series from one year to more than four (with Episode 3 still in development). But Telltale is already in its second “season” of Sam & Max adventures, and has released the first of five planned monthly episodes of a new saga, Strong Bad’s Cool Game for Attractive People.

Strong Bad is the star of Matt and Mike Chapman’s web comic, Homestar Runner. Sporting a luchador’s mask, boxing gloves and a snarky attitude, Strong Bad lives with his brother, Strong Sad, a giant whining version of the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man who spends almost all of Homestar Ruiner in his bedroom, refusing to come out except to participate (reluctantly) in the game’s tutorial. They share their three-floor suburban home with a strange, orange-striped combination of Pikachu and Garfield known as The Cheat, who waits patiently at the dryer for Strong Bad to kick him into it.

Most of the other characters from the web comic make appearances. There’s Homestar (of course), who gets the action rolling by preparing to participate in the Free Country USA Triannual Race to the End of the Race, an obstacle course complete with a log-rolling trap, a pogo stick, a hurdle, a container of curdled milk and a giant turtle. The race is officiated by Coach Z, who holds the course record to be beaten in the event and there’s Marzipan, Homestar’s girlfriend, who’s planning a garden party to celebrate Homestar’s anticipated victory, but fails to invite Strong Bad, which triggers the shenanigans that follow.

Others contributing to the madness are The King of Town, a doddering old fool with an amazing appetite; Strong Mad, the King’s monosyllabic, mountainous henchman; and Bubs, concession-stand owner and Internet provider. Strong Bad passes through all of their respective orbits in his quest to be part of the big race (and the party afterward). He also visits his own private fiefdom known as Strong Badia, a patch of nearby grass and dirt with a flag and a strangely out-of-place fence; and a TARDIS-like photo booth that’s bigger inside than out, where he can dress up in a variety of costumes and pose for pictures (saved on your hard drive).