Welcome to This Is Not A Review. In these articles we discuss general impressions, ideas and thoughts on any given game, but as the title implies, it’s not a review. Instead, it’s an exercise in offering a quick recommendation (or dismissal) after spending enough time to grasp the ideas and gameplay of a thing without necessarily playing it from A to Z.
The subject of this installment: What the Dub?! available on PS4, XBO, Switch, and PC. Developed and published by Wide Right Interactive.
One of my all-time favorite TV shows is Mystery Science Theater 3000. It’s the timeless story of one guy and two robots trapped in a space station who are forced to watch cheesy movies, thanks to an evil scientist. As the only middle-schooler in the world who owned a boxed set of the show, it meant a lot to me and has undoubtedly shaped my sense of humor. What the Dub?!, from Wide Right Interactive, aims to combine the antics of modern party games with the ‘comments from the audience’ style of humor ripped straight from MST3K.
After launching it on the console of their choice, players use smartphones to connect via web browser and are shown clips from old movies ranging from low-budget fare to public domain, PSA-type stuff. They’re then prompted to type something out within a time limit. The clip will play and the players’ responses are read one by one via text-to-speech. Players then vote on their favorite of the round.
I played with three other people, with all of us sitting on a couch trying our damndest to come up with the funniest things we could. Very few games make me laugh, so seeing the ridiculous responses from my family was great. Unfortunately, no one responded as well as I had hoped to my jokes. Regardless, it was an enjoyable time and even better, it can be streamed to allow others online to join in.
While I liked what I played of What the Dub!?, it’s definitely lacking variety — it’s engaging, but it should include other modes like most party games do. Still, with over 300 clips and a low cost of entry, those hosting a game night will definitely not be disappointed here. Fans of shows like Mystery Science Theater 3000 or games like Jackbox might have another great title to add to their rotation here.
He has a knack for talking about movies and games he‘s passionate about. If anyone ever needs an expert on Jim Jarmusch, Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater, Donkey Kong Country, or Kanye West, he’s your guy. Don’t say we didn't warn you, though.
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