Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

How to be a Complete Bastard’s core mechanics thrive on creative mischief. You start at a high-society party and must outdo every guest by committing acts of escalating rudeness. From spilling drinks and shouting obscenities to setting off fire alarms and toilet pranks, you select items scattered around the rooms—masks, rotten food, prank devices—and unleash them at the perfect moment. The freedom to improvise your own brand of chaos is the game’s greatest draw, making every playthrough uniquely hilarious.

The status meters add an extra layer of strategic absurdity. You monitor your drunkenness, sobriety and even bladder urgency. Some actions force you sober mid-prank, while others leave you clutching your stomach, desperately hunting for a bathroom. The prospect of accidentally wetting yourself or unleashing a foul fart in the middle of a carefully orchestrated stunt keeps tension high—and laughter rolling.

The split-screen feature lets you monitor two rooms simultaneously, perfect for planning multi-room capers. You can taunt a guest in the library while sneaking up on another in the kitchen. Time your distractions so that staff run off-course, leaving guests unguarded. This dual-perspective gameplay elevates the prank strategy and rewards a watchful eye, ensuring that no jokey opportunity is missed.

Graphics

Graphically, How to be a Complete Bastard opts for a cartoonish, exaggerated art style that amplifies its comedic tone. Characters sport oversized expressions—eyes bulging in shock or cheeks puffing out mid-fart—so you always know when your stunt hits its mark. The color palette leans toward warm, lively hues, contrasting the refined setting with your crude antics.

The house itself is detailed without ever feeling cluttered. Each room has distinct décor: velvet sofas in the drawing room, gleaming chandeliers above the dining table, even a porcelain-filled bathroom ripe for sabotaging. Objects glint with a soft sheen when interactable, making item hunts quick and intuitive.

Animation is equally delightful. Physically simulated spills ripple across rugs, and NPC movements react realistically when startled or disgusted. Slow-motion replays highlight the exact moment a pie splats on someone’s face or when a stink bomb’s green fumes engulf a hallway. While not pushing console-level realism, the art direction perfectly supports the game’s offbeat humor.

Story

Derived from Ade Edmondson’s infamous book, this game captures the spirit of the “Complete Bastard” persona. You’re the uninvited guest determined to demolish every ounce of social decorum. As you navigate through sixteen unsuspecting guests—each with unique personalities and tolerance levels—you witness curious side-stories unfold: a prim neighbor’s meltdown, a gossip columnist’s rage when overhearing your insults, and more.

The lack of a conventional narrative arc is intentional. Instead of a hero’s journey, you’re thrust into escalating scenarios where the only plot is the worst behavior you can muster. Occasional audio snippets of Edmondson’s quips and observations tie back to the source material, adding an extra layer of cult comedy for fans of the book.

True to its roots, the storyline is anarchic and unapologetically rude, never shying away from gross-out humor or political incorrectness. While that might alienate some players, it’s precisely this tone that makes the game an unforgettable satire of highbrow gatherings and polite society.

Overall Experience

Playing How to be a Complete Bastard feels like hosting your own chaotic comedy sketch. Every session invites fresh experimentation—what if you lock the host in the pantry, or replace his champagne with flat soda? The sandbox nature of the party house ensures high replay value and countless unforgettable moments.

The learning curve is gentle, with tutorials introducing basic pranks before unleashing you into more elaborate setups. Achievements and unlockable prank tools reward perseverance, while difficulty levels let you dial up or down the NPCs’ awareness for slower-paced mischief or frantic hijinks.

Despite its odor-themed mini-games and lowbrow antics, the title remains surprisingly well-polished. Menu navigation is straightforward, the soundtrack offers jaunty tunes to underscore your shenanigans, and load times are minimal. It’s an ideal pick for players craving irreverent humor, mindless strategy, and the sheer joy of comedy mayhem.

In the end, How to be a Complete Bastard delivers a riotous blend of strategy, slapstick, and social satire. If you’ve ever wanted to watch a meticulously planned prank unfold in glorious detail—or simply revel in harmless anarchy—this game serves up a guaranteed good time. Just be prepared for the occasional chuckle…or an uncontrollable fit of laughter.

Retro Replay Score

6/10