Goat Simulator 3

Goat Simulator 3 is a physics-based sandbox game in which the player controls a goat in an open-world environment, with the primary goal of causing as much destruction and mayhem as possible. The game is intentionally absurd, featuring a variety of goat skins, including a unicorn, a giraffe, and a demon goat, each with unique abilities. The core loop involves completing quests, performing stunts, and interacting with objects to earn points and unlock new content. The world is set on the fictional island of San Angora, a parody of real-world locations, and includes a day-night cycle and dynamic weather. Unlike its predecessor, the game offers a full campaign structure with a narrative that satirizes video game tropes, though the focus remains on emergent, physics-driven comedy.

Coffee Stain North, a subsidiary of Coffee Stain Studios, developed Goat Simulator 3 as a follow-up to the original Goat Simulator, which had become a viral phenomenon due to its deliberately glitchy and humorous gameplay. The developers embraced the absurdity, expanding the game's scope with a larger world, improved graphics, and a dedicated multiplayer mode. The title's numbering is a running joke, as the original game was never followed by a direct sequel, and the number 3 is used to mock industry conventions. The game was announced in 2022 and released on November 17, 2022, for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S. A Nintendo Switch version, titled Goat Simulator 3: The Trident of Fate Edition, was released on March 14, 2023, featuring exclusive content.

Goat Simulator 3 received generally positive reviews from critics, who praised its humor, sandbox freedom, and the addition of multiplayer, though some noted that the gameplay could become repetitive. On Metacritic, the PC version holds a score of 73/100, indicating mixed or average reviews, while the PlayStation 5 version holds 74/100. The game was nominated for several awards, including 'Best Multiplayer' at the 2023 Steam Awards. It sold over one million copies within its first month, a testament to the enduring appeal of the franchise. The game's success led to the release of downloadable content, including the 'Goat City Bay' expansion in 2023, which added a new map and missions. The title has been cited as an example of the 'walking simulator' genre's evolution into more interactive and comedic forms.

Despite its name, Goat Simulator 3 is not the third game in the series; the original Goat Simulator was followed by a mobile spin-off, Goat Simulator MMO Simulator, and a VR version, but no direct sequel. The game's development was influenced by the modding community, with Coffee Stain North incorporating popular mods from the original into the sequel. The game features a hidden 'Goat of Duty' mode, a first-person shooter parody that is unlocked by completing a specific quest. The island of San Angora is filled with pop-culture references, including a parody of the 'Area 51' raid meme and a tribute to the 'Goatse' internet meme, which was removed in later patches due to copyright concerns. The game's physics engine is intentionally exaggerated, allowing for glitches that are often as entertaining as the intended gameplay. The soundtrack, composed by the band 'The Goat Herders', includes a track that was recorded using actual goat sounds.

Sandbox game

A video game that emphasizes player freedom and emergent gameplay, often with no linear objectives.

Physics-based

Gameplay that relies on realistic or exaggerated physics simulations to create interactive environments.

DLC

Downloadable content, additional content created for an already released game.