There is a very convenient way of describing the degree of absurdity to which Goat Simulator 3 aspires: There is no such thing as Goat Simulator 2.
Coffee Stains's caprine and stuttering antics will likely recall the popular sandbox game from way back when: Youre a goat with a penchant for misbehaving, assigned to causing as much disturbance as possible. From headbutting civilians to sticking your tongue to everything in sight, the game is largely centered around complete and total bedlam.
Goat Simulator 3 is a fantastic sequel to Arkane, which is based on the same basic principles of chaos. What may strike people as surprising, however, is that it is a refined recreation of the game.
The game's greatest strength was always its deeply hewn mechanical structure. Bugs should have made Pilgor the goats an absolute nightmare to play, but due to its nature as a literal goat simulator, it just made it even more enjoyable to play.
Coffee Stain's development team was evidently aware of this as they worked on Goat Simulator 3. The sequel includes an online multiplayer feature that allows up to four players to compete in various minigames, including proprietary versions of golf, treasure hunts, and The Floor Is Lava.
Goat Simulator 3 is quite different in that it's not just a mess intended to engulf the Goat Illuminati, but it's also a story mode that aims to serve as a general guide to thread all of the individual instances of absurdity together. Each tower you visit will assist you in unlocking a magnificent and mysterious door that leads you to Goat Castle.
The main narrative in Goat Simulator 3sappeal isn't overly demanding. The fact that it generally asks little of you, leaving you to your own devices more often than not, has also been expanded and iterated upon.
The challenge of How bizarre can we make this game? was obviously a regular topic of discussion during the development of this game.
Play Goat Simulator 3 as a shark on a skateboard being ridden by an old lady with a rocket launcher.
Goat Simulator 3 is probably exactly what you want it to be, with tons of new features, most of which have clearly come from attentively observing the original features that appealed to players. The mobility is a little wider, the sandbox is more responsive, and the random achievements have a little more rhyme and reason to them. But ultimately, its still a silly game about being a really annoying goat. Theres a pretty low limit for how serious that can be.
Goat Simulator 3 is a great party game to play with friends, especially the people I wasnt in a lobby with for most of the time I was there. Its not deserving of special respect for its achievements in innovation, systems design, or anything else.
If you think you may be interested in Goat Simulator 3, you will be, and that's the most truthful thing anyone can say about it.
On November 17, Goat Simulator 3 will be available on PlayStation 5, Windows PC, and Xbox Series X.