Exploring the Slaps and Beans Series: A Mixed Bag of Fun
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Introduction to Slaps and Beans
Have you ever wished to engage with a captivating modern pixel art rendition of Italy’s beloved action comedies? If so, the Bud Spencer and Terence Hill: Slaps and Beans series, along with its sequel, might pique your interest. While these games boast stunning visuals and a heartwarming charm, they are also marred by inconsistent execution that can detract from the overall experience. I recently played through both titles and found myself torn; the beautiful animations and quirky humor were overshadowed by simple mechanics, awkward storytelling, and some strange gameplay choices in the sequel.
The series also suffers from uncomfortable racial stereotypes that are poorly justified by the outdated context of the source material, which is troubling.
A Brief Overview of Bud Spencer and Terence Hill
If you aren’t familiar with Bud Spencer and Terence Hill, they are renowned international action stars celebrated for their quirky, lower-budget action films featuring them slapping many adversaries and consuming copious amounts of beans. Their unique charm makes them fitting candidates for comedy brawler video games. For those interested in learning more about their legacy, diving into their filmography or exploring the YouTube rabbit hole can be enlightening. A concise video essay by HatsOffEntertainment serves as an excellent introduction.
Narrative and Gameplay: A Bumpy Ride
My fondness for the arcade brawler genre stems from nostalgia for classics like Double Dragon and Final Fight. The original Slaps and Beans game made a strong initial impression with its exceptional pixel art, straightforward two-button attack system, cooperative play, and an unexpectedly rich narrative focus. Unfortunately, the narrative falls flat, particularly for those unfamiliar with the films it references. The game stitches together elements from several of the duo's eighteen films without a coherent storyline, leading to disjointed transitions between settings and awkward pop culture references that feel out of place.
The visual presentation nearly compensates for the disjointed storytelling, showcasing beautiful character designs and backgrounds, along with delightful licensed music. However, the gameplay lacks the engaging flow and combo mechanics characteristic of classic arcade brawlers, leading to a quickly diminishing sense of enjoyment.
Cultural Sensitivity and Stereotypes
The charm of the artwork is overshadowed by the game’s problematic use of racial stereotypes, which the sequel exacerbates. While these adaptations draw from older films that reflect a different cultural context, there’s a pressing need to approach such content with greater sensitivity in today's climate. Despite being released in 2017 and 2023, the games do not address their use of stereotypes with any critical commentary, resulting in uncomfortable portrayals that detract from the humor.
The Sequel: Ambitious Yet Flawed
The sequel, Slaps and Beans 2, unfortunately, does not live up to its predecessor. It attempts to expand beyond a simple brawler by incorporating various minigames, dubbed "Party Games," that shift focus away from the core gameplay. From a poorly executed rhythm game to various sports and card games, none manage to capture the excitement of the main brawling experience.
While the sequel introduces slight changes to the action mechanics, such as requiring both attack buttons to utilize the meter, it still falls short of delivering the satisfying combo flow reminiscent of the genre. The game also experiments with voice acting to enhance narrative delivery; however, most performances miss the mark, lacking the comedic timing necessary for effective storytelling.
Despite the numerous flaws, the sequel does feature a few memorable moments, such as an enemy who operates a transforming hot dog stand that turns into a helicopter. Moments like these remind players of the fun potential that the first game offered, even if the overall execution falters.
Final Thoughts on the Slaps and Beans Series
While I appreciate the existence of the Slaps and Beans games, I find myself enjoying them more as cultural artifacts than as commendable gaming experiences. If approached with the right expectations—acknowledging the stilted dialogue, simplistic mechanics, and outdated cultural references—you may still find enjoyment in the first installment. However, the sequel feels like a misstep, losing sight of what made the original appealing.
The small development team at Trinity Team clearly has talent, and I would be eager to see their potential realized in an original pixel art brawler rather than being confined to the legacy of these two iconic characters. Their artistic execution blends classic pixel art aesthetics with modern techniques, resulting in visuals that could elevate a new title in the genre.
If you’re a fan of Bud Spencer and Terence Hill's films, you may have already experienced these games. If their legacy is unfamiliar to you, the first game serves as a decent introduction, while the sequel unfortunately squanders its potential. Though it may seem ungracious to hope for an end to a series, I believe it would be wise for the developers to consider moving on after the first entry.
The first video, "Bud Spencer & Terence Hill - Slaps and Beans 2 - Review," offers an insightful look into the game's design and execution.
The second video, "Bud Spencer & Terence Hill: Slaps And Beans 2 Review - Bud Light," dives into the nuances of the sequel and its shortcomings.