After the disappointing and boring Strong Bad episode that was Baddest of the Bands, I admittedly was concerned about what the follow-up would be like. Will this fourth installment have the same lackluster feeling? Mercifully, my concerns were unwarranted. In fact, this latest trip to the Homestar Universe surpassed even my (previously) favorite episode, Strong Badia the Free.

Dangeresque 3: The Criminal Projective is actually a game within a movie. Amateur filmmaker Strong Bad has finally finished the long-awaited (by real-life fans too, who have waited five years for this!) sequel to his Dangeresque series. As everyone in town gathers around the TV to watch his magnum opus, you’re propelled through the boob tube and enter the movie’s world. The familiar faces are all there, but are playing various characters in Strong Bad’s movie.

Like many classic detective tales, it begins with a damsel in distress. Cutesy Buttons’ (Marzipan) top secret formula to save the rainforest has been stolen and was last seen in the deadly jungles of Strongborneo. Never one to back away from, well, danger, Dangeresque (Strong Bad) and his partner Renaldo (Coach Z) are on the case. Their adventure takes them to exotic locales, including Venice, Tokyo, and even the sun. Naturally, the duo also runs into a few villains such as the wily Sultry Buttons (Marzipan, but in a black wig) and the dastardly Perducci (King of Town). But who is the mysterious Craig?

If you love cheesy, action-infused detective and spy films, you won’t cease to laugh your head off while playing this game. Nearly every clichéd character, plot device, and storyline you can think of is featured and comically well-executed. For example, at Renaldo’s retirement party, the guest of honor remarks that he plans to retire to Sidekick Island, where he can’t ever be killed off. As another example, Dangeresque often shakes his fist and screams a William Shatneresque “PERDUCCI!” when bested by his portly, puffy-bearded arch nemesis.

However, it doesn’t stop there, as the game also parodies amateur movie making. First of all, the folks of Free Country aren’t skilled thespians. They forget their lines, deliver them without aplomb when they do remember, and refuse to cooperate during a scene. Bubs would take the opportunity to shill merchandise for his store. Meanwhile, Homestar would say a line several times to determine the best delivery – while the camera is already rolling. Second, the quality of the movie isn’t the greatest. After all, Strong Bad doesn’t exactly have a $100 million production budget. Crude cardboard props are the norm. Special effects aren’t the greatest either. For example, during a high speed car chase scene, Strong Bad is sitting in an unmoving car while to simulate movement, the Cheat is running around the car with a tree branch.