Strong Bad's Cool Game for Attractive People Episode 1: Homestar Ruiner

 PC
Metascore
73

Mixed or average reviews - based on 29 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 16 out of 29
  2. Mixed: 12 out of 29
  3. Negative: 1 out of 29
  1. GamePro
    95
    Long time Homestar Runner fans will be pleased to see that all the major characters they've come to know (Marzipan, The Cheat, Coach Z, Pom Pom, etc.) are included along with many inside jokes.
  2. 1UP
    91
    At times like this, it's a wonder that adventure games ever went off the rails.
  3. GameShark
    91
    Barring minor technical errors, The Homestar Ruiner is a great start for this episodic game. It’s funny, inexpensive, easy to play, and has replay value from the mini-games.
  5. GameCritics
    90
    I came into Strong Bad's expecting quality adventuring, the unique comedic stylings that make me feel like I'm a kid watching Rocko's Modern Life again, and some good old fashioned The Cheat kickin'. That's exactly what I got, and there was virtually nothing throughout the experience that annoyed or dissatisfied me.
  6. GameZone
    85
    For Homestar fans, this is a no-brainer, but if they’re the only ones who play it, it’ll be a shame — the only thing you need to enjoy it is a sense of humor. It’s a great beginning to a longer adventure, and absolutely worth a download.
  7. Armchair Empire
    85
    With fun puzzles and a funnier story in yet another of its game series, Telltale Games has shown everybody that the success and quality of its Sam & Max franchise wasn’t just a fluke, and that any developer/publisher that is interested creating episodic gaming has only to look Telltale’s way on how to do it right.
  8. GamingTrend
    84
    Perhaps the only people who won't enjoy this game are those who don't understand or like the comedic style of the Homestar Runner universe.
  9. Game Over Online
    83
    If you liked the humor and structure of the Sam & Max episodes, then you’ll probably enjoy the Strong Bad episodes as well. The Strong Bad episode is also a much better “animated feature” than what just came out in theaters last week, and for about the same price.
  10. IGN
    81
    As a point-and-click game it doesn't do anything groundbreaking, but all of the window dressing is fantastic.
  11. Wired
    80
    Flawless presentation, funny dialogue, great puzzles.
  12. PC Gamer
    80
    Developer Telltale has built a sterling reputation on making smart, creative episodic games based on existing intellectual properties (see exhibit "Sam & Max), and Homestar Ruiner is no exception. [Nov 2008, p.75]
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  13. PC Zone UK
    80
    Excellent humour. [Nov 2008, p.76]
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  14. PC Gamer UK
    80
    Genuinely hilarious. [Nov 2008, p.80]
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  15. Jolt Online Gaming UK
    78
    As a result, this first game can be called 'pretty good', but it’s still a little short on awesomeness.
  16. Cheat Code Central
    78
    Unless you happen to be an enemy of all things cool and funny, the first installment of Strong Bad is where it's at. This new monthly series shows tons of promise, and the next episode, Strong Badia the Free, looks even more delightfully ludicrous.
  17. Just Adventure
    75
    Overall, despite its faults, Homestar Ruiner is a pretty enjoyable game, a lighthearted cartoon romp with a great sense of humor and an original flavor.

Awards & Rankings

65
#65 Best PC Game of 2008
95
#95 Most Discussed PC Game of 2008

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
7.5

Generally favorable reviews- based on 17 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 12 out of 17
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 17
  3. Negative: 2 out of 17
  1. CooterPatooter
    Feb 29, 2012
    9
    This game made me burst out laughing many times over, which is a huge accomplishment in my book. I enjoyed it from start to finish and I'mThis game made me burst out laughing many times over, which is a huge accomplishment in my book. I enjoyed it from start to finish and I'm not very happy with the mixed reviews it received. The puzzles are weird but make sense. The difficulty level is perfect and I finished it without so much as a glance at a walkthrough. My 9 yr old daughter then played it through with only a smattering of hints from her dad and loved it as much as we loved the entire Sam & Max series. This is Telltale at the top of its game.… Full Review »
  2. johnmorgan
    Aug 15, 2008
    8
    it isnt as bad as all the reviews are making it out to be, they seem to be forgetting the very nice price point, and buy the time you spendit isnt as bad as all the reviews are making it out to be, they seem to be forgetting the very nice price point, and buy the time you spend the $50 to get all parts the number of hours will have stacked greatly, sure its short, and mediocre, but its episode 1, made for the fans and newcomers alike, newcomers to the genre and fans of the show, its short but very very sweet, a little too easy though, even easier than sam and max episode 1 of both seasons, but still just subscribe to the full season of episodes now for $35 you wont be disappointed… Full Review »
  3. Steeldude
    Mar 29, 2015
    8
    I have never been a large fan of Homestar Runner, but I really like some Strong Bad e-mail episodes. This game basically takes that premiseI have never been a large fan of Homestar Runner, but I really like some Strong Bad e-mail episodes. This game basically takes that premise and puts it into a game perspective - you will be playing as Strong Bad, a villain character that thinks he's totally awesome and your objective in this adventure game will be to destroy the glory of Homestar, another character from the universe. Even if you don't know the lore, the characters are still wacky and funny. Like me, you will probably not get the full experience, but nevertheless the game is still loads of fun and is quite long (7 hours to 100%).
    There are also mini games to play such as creating your own comic or playing an arcade game - Snake Boxer 5 which is so unfair that you have to find hidden manual pages throughout the game in order to beat it.
    You can gain achievements (or trophies) for accomplishing certain task in the game, forcing you to play for a much longer time if you want to obtain every single one.
    If you like the character of Strong Bad, you will enjoy this game a lot. If not, it will probably just be a mediocre adventure game for you.    … Full Review »
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