We’re continuing our adventures in the second installment of Badge of Carnage as Detective Inspector Hector, hot on the trail of the local terrorist of the town of Clapper’s Wreak. Or rather trying not to get executed on the spot by the clever evil mastermind who tricked us into helping his agenda just to get away and ask for more. Yes, ALL THAT we had to go through with Hector in part one was just the beginning. While it’s not strictly necessary to play through the first episode (and there’s an amusing re-cap of events), it is highly advisable, as the series continue exactly where the first part ended. This time Hector and his faithful doofus of a sidekick Lambert will attempt to get out of exploded building (where they may or may not have caused another explosion), infiltrate local church (that may or may not hide something more sinister), discover the very VERY strange food delivery system (that may or may not have something to do with internet fame) and, most importantly, try and get Hector out of the bad date. Knowing Hector’s standards – imagine said date yourself. You also may participate in a quick “organs for money” scheme. Some things just always come in handy.
As in the case with the first episode, the cartoonish, simplistic graphics full of caricatures perfectly highlight game’s raunchy, violent, and hilarious world. Classic point’n’click gameplay lets you progress via logical (to the lewd universe of the game that is) inventory puzzles and exhausting dialogue option, some of which are there just to add the comic value but are totally worth exploring. In the already established style of Badge of Carnage – if the possible solution you thought of makes you scrunch up your face in a “No…No, this can’t possibly be it” manner in anticipation of something gross or crude – you are most likely correct. If you didn’t come up with anything like that, that’s on you, not on Hector.
Just like in real estate it’s all about location, location, location, in Badge of Carnage series, it’s all about writing, writing, writing. Hector’s quips and one-liners plus Lambert’s lamentations and the general NPC responses to all that silliness are undoubtedly the strongest part of the game. This solid, dry British humor thoroughly peppered with crassness and vulgarity won’t do for easily offended but will absolutely please the audience that’s into nothing-is-off-limits jokes. The plot, by the way, while full of absurdities, is tightly written and yet again manages to complete a full story within the episode, skillfully leading a player to the third and final part without any cliffhangers or unresolved feelings. This considerable feat is easy to miss in a comedic game like Badge of Carnage but is unquestionably a mark of great writing.
If you played the first episode of “Hector: Badge of Carnage. We Negotiate with Terrorists” then you know what to expect from “Senseless Acts of Justice” and will not be disappointed. More carnage, more crudity, and more Hector – what’s not to like? If that’s your first foray into the world of the game – peek at some “let’s plays” to see if this kind of humor is your cup of tea. It seems that at this point you can only buy all three episodes together (at least on Steam), and while $15 is more than a fair price to pay for hours of entertainment you’ll get out of it, the entire bundle quite often goes on sale for $5. Hector would still most likely grump about that price even for a game with himself in it, so grab it guilt-free; after all, you’re may or may not be paying to see conscientious and highly progressive nun on a stripper pole.
