The Wacky New Xbox Game That’s Dividing Gamers

adminsFeb 13, 2024

Video games let you get up to silly stuff. But Turnip Boy Robs a Bank, released on Xbox recently, probably takes the first prize for bizarre concepts. As the sequel to last year’s popular Turnip Boy Commits Tax Evasion, it increases the nonsensical comedy and quirkiness that made gamers talk widely about the original.

However, the sequel’s efforts to expand the formula sometimes fall flat. Some gamers will love the gameplay, while others will hate it.

A Different Kind of Action Game

Turnip Boy Robs a Bank is a “roguelike” game. This means it uses random generation and permanent death rules seen in other famous roguelikes like Hades and Dead Cells. But unlike most, here you play as Turnip Boy, who keeps raiding and stealing from a bank of the corrupt Vegetable Kingdom government.

Core gameplay involves using ridiculous guns, like those shooting cacti, to fight the bank’s security. Players smash into the bank, fill bags with as much loot as they can get, and try to escape before cops massively turn up when the timer ends.

If defeated, half the cash from that run is lost, so balancing between stealing more and staying safe is key. Cash can unlock permanent upgrades at Turnip Boy’s hideout.

More action, fewer puzzles

Credits: Xbox

Compared to the original Tax Evasion game, which focused on puzzles and exploration, Robs a Bank opts for faster run-based action, emphasizing combat over variety in puzzles or exploration.

Some fans may find the decreased scope disappointing. While there are treasures in the bank’s corridors, finding them feels repetitive. The bank’s security upgrades also mostly just block progress rather than provide fresh challenges.

However, rampaging through the cartoonish bank with expanding weapons can be fun. Blasting safes with lasers or throwing mines at guards fits the anarchic, rebel mood from the earlier tax-evading game. Robs a Bank trades complex gameplay for accessibility and pick-up-and-play enjoyability.

Turnip Boy commits tax evasion, focusing more on puzzles and exploration.
The sequel provides faster, combat-focused gameplay with less variety.
Fans of the original may find the repetitive gameplay disappointing.

Extremely Quirky Humor

The make-or-break factor for most is Turnip Boy Robs a Bank’s split-down-the-middle humor. While the first game had family-friendly jokes, this one channels chaotic internet meme energy—random and nonsensical.

Much of the attempted comedy involves making fun of gamer stereotypes or absurd contrasts, like serious bank staff suddenly acting like goofy caricatures. The oddly worded, randomly capitalized dialogue will either be hilarious or painfully awkward for readers.

Additionally, the game depends heavily on in-jokes, which only players of the first Turnip Boy will get. Silly weapons and places reference running gags that new players won’t understand.

The sequel attempts more chaotic, internet-style meme humor compared to the family-friendly original.
Relies on parodying gamers and absurd juxtapositions that may backfire for some
Full of references Only veterans of the first game will understand.

Love It or Loathe It

Credits: Xbox

As a result, Turnip Boy Robs a Bank showcases the kind of comedy that will either make players laugh uncontrollably or make them lose interest altogether. For gamers who like the chaotic meme style, it offers delightful gameplay tied together with wacky humor.

But for players who don’t enjoy the aggressiveness of the quirky style, the focus on shallow references and randomness instead of smart comedy wears thin over time. Skipping cutscenes instead of enjoying complementary humor becomes key.

In summary, Turnip Boy Robs a Bank provides exactly what the original did: a unique comedic style that will totally click with some gamers while leaving others stone cold. If you found the first Turnip Boy clever and interesting, you’ll welcome more of the franchise’s trademark craziness. But it does nothing fresh to attract new fans if the series’ oddity didn’t appeal before.

Extreme “love it or hate it” humor continues from the first game.
Fans will welcome the additional zany gameplay; others won’t.
Does little to attract new fans unconvinced by the original’s tone.

The action of robbing banks offers simple fun but gets repetitive without variety in gameplay, levels, or upgrades. Like the humor, breaking guitars in banks works at a surface level, even if it lacks depth.

So for gamers wanting short-term, eccentric fun over refined gameplay, Turnip Boy’s latest adventure provides that desired wacky thrill. But players seeking serious gameplay improvements or logical storytelling should check the wider Xbox catalog instead. Because ultimately, Turnip Boy Robs a Bank sticks to its weird roots in a way that will either delight or annoy, depending on your taste.