The Preposterous Awesomeness of Everything

[b] The Preposterous Awesomeness of Everything [/b] is a weird but really fun game. It has a colorful, crazy style and a great sense of humor. Nothing makes much sense, but that’s what makes it interesting. Sometimes it’s funny, sometimes it makes you think. If you like unusual games that do their own thing, this one’s worth playing.

The Preposterous Awesomeness of Everything, developed by Joe Richardson and published by Akupara Games, is a quirky and satirical point-and-click adventure that defies traditional game conventions through its absurd humor, unique art style, and social commentary. Released in early 2016, the game immediately grabs attention with its offbeat premise: a primitive society ambitiously attempts to build a space rocket using only glue and tape. This outlandish setup serves as a backdrop for a larger exploration of themes like progress, politics, and human nature, all presented through a lens of irreverent comedy and sharp wit. Players guide a chaotic group known simply as the Majority of People as they transition from a state of disorder into a rough approximation of democracy, all while striving for the impossible goal of reaching outer space. Along the way, the story introduces a cast of peculiar and memorable characters, including the enigmatic Man with the Little Pencil, the oddly dressed Man in the Wren Suit, and the flamboyant Helen. These figures are more than just quirky personalities—they act as vehicles for the game’s satirical take on societal structures, bureaucracy, and the often absurd behaviors that define human civilization. The dialogue is peppered with humor that is sometimes subtle and other times overtly ridiculous, encouraging players to reflect on the underlying commentary even as they laugh at the bizarre situations. One of the most striking aspects of The Preposterous Awesomeness of Everything is its distinct visual presentation. Rather than adopting typical pixel art or realistic graphics, the game employs a collage-based aesthetic that feels raw and decidedly human. This patchwork style, composed of cut-out images and mismatched elements, reinforces the game's themes of improvisation and disorder. It feels intentionally unfinished, mirroring the chaotic and makeshift world the Majority of People inhabit. The interface itself refreshes the classic verb-based point-and-click style by adding playful and unconventional verbs such as “befuddle,” “disrespect,” and “pray-for,” which expand the ways players can interact with their environment and deepen the sense of quirky immersion. While the game’s humor and artistic vision are widely appreciated, it is not without its criticisms. Some players and reviewers have found the narrative to be somewhat lacking in depth and cohesion, with moments where the satire feels surface-level rather than deeply insightful. The gameplay, while creatively designed, can at times feel disjointed or less engaging compared to more traditional adventure games. This unevenness in pacing and storytelling has led to mixed reactions—some praise the game for its boldness and originality, while others feel it falls short of delivering a fully satisfying experience. Additionally, the abstract nature of the humor and the unusual art style might not resonate with everyone, making it a niche title that appeals mostly to those who appreciate unconventional storytelling and experimental design. Despite these drawbacks, The Preposterous Awesomeness of Everything offers a fresh and thought-provoking experience that stands out in the crowded adventure game genre. Its blend of absurd comedy and social critique invites players to look beyond surface-level entertainment and engage with the themes of progress, governance, and human folly in a playful yet meaningful way. For fans of Joe Richardson’s work or those seeking a game that challenges traditional narrative forms, this title provides a compelling, if unconventional, journey. Ultimately, it is a game that rewards patience and curiosity, inviting players to embrace its chaotic charm and appreciate the preposterous awesomeness woven into every aspect of its design. Rating: 9/10

I never played a Joe Richardson game before. Since his last game Death of the Reprobate came out last year (November '24), the adventure game community already started laughing with the anticipation of laughing with everything the game would have to offer. Instead of playing it immediately like everyone else seemed to have done, I decided to travel back in time (not literally) and play through ALL of Joe Richardson's games available on Steam, starting with The Preposterous Awesomeness of Everything. After playing for 9 minutes, I got tired of it. I knew the graphic style and character designs would need some getting used to. And yes, that was the case. Also, stupid me got "stuck" by not realizing the screen could sidescroll. So after I don't know how much time and other games went by, I decided to return and lo and behold, the game actually grew on me. I started to appreciate the social, political, anthropological, philosophical satire -- and of course the plain silliness of it all. Though is it really silly? I think a part of me really thinks it's brilliant. So you play a guy on an island, you find old rocket parts and you decide to engage everyone to build it up again. A couple of other islanders grab leadership, however, but don't really succeed in getting anywhere with society since they take turns in being elected and spend all their time nullifying all progress of their predecessor; basically the way actual politicians conduct their business today. The game is very short, I finished it in 97 minutes. It has some inventory puzzles, some dialogue puzzles, some main character trickery onto non-playable characters. It doesn't have a manual save function but autosaves whenever you make some progress. Its cutscenes are storybook-style text and pictures that are quite fun to read. Joe Richardson truly is a funny guy who gets his message across. So in the end, not a bad game at all, and I'm looking forward to the next one, Four Last Things... https://the-point-n-clicker.blogspot.com/2025/05/joe-richardson-time-preposterous.html

[h1] S***** parody adventure game you don't wanna play because it's that bad. [/h1]

overall alright.

Excellent little game containing many points of contemporary (capitalist) societal criticism that are of particular potency given the current geo-political situation we find ourselves in. Clever, genuinely funny, and thought provoking. Definitely worth a buy.

I'm so surprised by how much I loved this game - it was such a breath of fresh air! Super short but very charming. Nihilistic, silly, deep, dumb, wonderful. I was uplifted by it and I think that's the most important thing! This game is original, wonderful and most of all... really fun!

This humorous point-and-click adventure has something to say, and it isn't subtle when saying it. It's short and simple enough to at least warrant an honest shot. It is ugly as sin, however, and there are a surprising amount of typos considering the calibre of the writing. Steam Deck users with poor vision may struggle with the copious text boxes, not to mention one puzzle involving a camera. Protip: use touchscreen controls when you get there.

A game based on satire and absurdist humor, it can be 100%ed in a couple hours, gave me a couple of laughs, and deeply concerned my friends and family. All in all a wonderful experience.

Sincerely this game is absurd. I had not idea what I was getting myself into, but I am glad I muddled through that chaos. Reminds me of something that would have done NUMBERS on New Games or the like. Will eventually make it through the others by this developer.