Laughter therapy: nine really funny games

Humor is a subjective concept. Some people laugh their asses off at bearded anecdotes, while others only want complex English jokes and psychological stand-up. Even so, a successful joke is a universal way to instantly endear yourself to the viewer and the player. Masterful use of humor in the plot of the game can be safely called the pinnacle of game scripting. "Izvestia" collected several games with excellent humor and, of course, exciting gameplay.

Disco Elysium

Developer: Za/Um
Genre : RPG
Year of release: 2019
What to play on: PC, Mac, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, box One, Xbox Series X, Nintendo Switch

Disco Elysium is considered one of the best RPGs of the last decade. Unsurprisingly, it's also recognized as one of the funniest. Regardless of which starting characteristics the player chooses, the main character Detective Harry Dubois is a human catastrophe, getting into absurd and ridiculous situations time after time. It can be said that the philosophical mission of the player is not only to solve the murder together with Harry, but also to choose an ideological system through the prism of which he will judge this crime. Along the way, the hero gets into trouble dozens of times or hilariously says something out of place. All the player has to do is deal with the consequences and laugh at what happens.

The Yakuza/Like a Dragonseries

Developer: Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio
Genre: RPG, Action
Years of release: 2005-2024
What to play on: PC, Android, iOS, PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Nintendo Switch, Wii U

In the Yakuza (aka Like a Dragon) series, each installment tells the story of a former member of the Yakuza Mafia who struggles to find a balance between the underworld, the police, and ordinary life. These dramatic storylines are closely intertwined with the stories of hundreds of secondary characters and their comical and touching endeavors. For example, in the latest Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth, the main character's pathos-driven goal of saving Hawaii from a cult-headed maniac is overshadowed when he helps an aspiring musician rediscover his passion for heavy metal. And there are plenty of such side quests in every game! For nearly two decades, Yakuza's developers have been surprising with ironic, overtly comedic missions and many parodies, including games by other Japanese studios. The game includes a Pokémon parody and an Animal Crossing clone set on an island littered with garbage.

The Monkey Island series

Developers: Lucasfilm Games, Ron Gilbert, Telltale, Terrible Toybox
Genre: quest, point and click
Years of release: 1990-2022
What to play on: PC, Mac, Android, iOS, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, Nintendo Switch

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From 1990's The Secret of Monkey Island to 2022's Return to Monkey Island, the series has become the benchmark for point-and-click comedy games. This is largely due to Ron Gilbert, a master of puns and interactive storytelling, who has led the development of every game in the series. All Monkey Island games are capable of making even the dullest skeptic smile.

Hitman series

Developers: IO Interactive, Feral Interactive, Nixxes Software BV, Square Enix Montréal, Morpheme Wireless Ltd
Genre: stealth action
Years of release: 2000-2021
What to play on: PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Nintendo Switch

The self-directed suitcase alone deserves a spot on this list for the Hitman series. And it's one of the many ways the developers allow players to experiment creatively and find unconventional solutions to levels. Each offers challenging passage patterns and colorful characters. Sure, playing Hitman as a whole can be brutal, but at times the ironic tone, ridiculous weapons, and absurdity make for some very funny levels.

Overboard!

Developer: Inkle
Genre: point & click, detective quest
Year of release: 2021
What to play on: PC, Mac, Android, iOS, Nintendo Switch

This detective game starts with a brutal murder, but here the player is not trying to solve the crime, but instead must try to get away with it. Funny and colorful presentation make the story about the moral fall of the hero really interesting. The protagonist can, for example, seduce the captain by praising his hat, or strangle a grumpy old lady who knows too much. Each playthrough opens up new possibilities: you have to start again with a new baggage of knowledge and new goals.

Thank Goodness You're Here!

Developer: Coal Supper
Genre: Adventure
Year of release: 2024
What to play on: PC, Mac, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch

This game will definitely appeal to those who are familiar with the Monty Python show, but for others it can be an introduction to the world of British humor. The game was published by Panic Inc. studio, widely known for the hugely popular Untitled Goose Game. Thank Goodness You're Here is a comedy adventure game about a character who runs errands for the residents of Barnsworth, a fictional town in the north of England. The mechanics of interaction with literally the entire environment is built with the help of jokes. The dialog and script are wittily written, and the game also features a great voice cast, including Matt Berry, star of the vampire comedy series What We Do in the Shadows.

Paper Mario: Color Splash

Developer: Nintendo
Genre: adventure, arcade
Year of release: 2016
What to play on: Wii U, emulators

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Nintendo franchises are often filled with good jokes, "paschals" and self-parodies, but in the Paper Mario series, the developers and writers are having a blast. The greatest concentration of humor is in Paper Mario: Color Splash for the Wii U platform. In the game, Mario travels to Prism Island to confront color-stealing villains. On the island, Mario meets Huey, a sentient paint can, the main source of jokes and meta-commentary in the game. Color Splash features some great visual gags, there's breaking the "fourth wall" with barbed remarks about the Mario franchise and even humorous references to real high-profile scandals from the news at the time.

Trombone Champ

Developer: Holy Wow Studios
Genre: rhythm game, music simulator
Year of release: 2022
What to play on: PC, Mac, Nintendo Switch

Trombone Champ is essentially a samosmoking joke game. The entire gameplay here is built around the ridiculous sounds of a trombone. This parody rhythm game mocks the rhythm game genre itself by asking players to play popular tunes while faking. Despite being a simulation game, there's an inner story here - you can learn it by opening cards and finding out more facts about the mysterious baboons. The fan community has created hundreds of custom tracks, so you can foolishly "trombone" everything from children's songs to Lady Gaga hits.