The Baconing

About The Baconing

Hothead Games released The Baconing in August 2011 as a quirky adventure RPG available on PS3, Xbox 360, PC, Mac, and Linux. You play as DeathSpank, a chaotic hero tasked with stopping the Anti-Spank from casting an evil shadow over Spanktopia. The game pits you against hordes of Cyborques while you search for the secret hidden within the Fires of Bacon. This single player title launched alongside its multiplayer mode on multiple consoles and operating systems. It brings a distinct sense of humor to the genre rather than focusing on serious storytelling or high-fidelity graphics. The premise relies heavily on satire and absurdity as you dispense justice in a world where bacon is central to the plot.

Gameplay

Sessions involve moving through various zones while hacking and slashing enemies with your trusty sword. You will encounter dialogue trees that often lead to sarcastic banter or ridiculous choices rather than serious narrative branches. Combat feels fast and loose, requiring you to dodge attacks from multiple Cyborques at once. The interface includes a standard RPG inventory system where you manage loot and upgrade your gear between fights. You can tackle side quests to find hidden items or progress the main story about defeating the Anti-Spank. Multiplayer lets you team up with another player to clear dungeons together without the usual difficulty spikes found in single-player mode. Controls are straightforward with basic combat inputs that work well across all supported platforms.

What Players Think

Reviewers and players have given The Baconing a mixed but generally positive reception with a Metacritic score of 63 out of 100. IGDB data shows an average rating of 65.2 based on 14 user ratings, suggesting moderate approval from the dedicated crowd. Community moods often highlight the game's humor as its strongest asset while criticizing the repetitive combat loops. Most players spend around 8 to 10 hours to complete the main story, though some linger longer to find all collectibles. Completion rates indicate that many finish the game due to the short campaign length. Review snippets frequently mention the quirky characters and funny writing as reasons to stick with it despite flaws. The 12 total achievements provide a modest goal for completionists who want to see everything the game has to offer.

PlayPile's Take

This title is worth buying if you enjoy satire and do not mind dated graphics. At a low price point on sale, it offers about ten hours of entertainment without demanding too much time. The 12 achievements are easy to grab for those who like finishing lists. You will appreciate the sharp writing but might get bored during combat encounters that feel generic after a while. It is not a deep RPG experience but rather a lighthearted romp with a specific comedic voice. Grab it when it hits a discount if you want to see DeathSpank in action without paying full price for a short adventure.

Storyline

You are DeathSpank, a hero and the ultimate Dispenser of Justice. You must defeat the Anti-Spank and his army of Cyborques, before they cast an evil shadow over Spanktopia.