Let’s be real for a second. If you’re playing a South Park game, you aren’t just there for the turn-based combat or the questionable social commentary. You're there to play dress-up. But it’s a specific kind of dress-up—the kind that involves wearing cardboard boxes, literal trash bags, and stolen kitchen utensils to look like a budget superhero. South Park the fractured but whole costumes aren't just cosmetic fluff; they are the soul of the game’s "Coon and Friends" vs. "Freedom Pals" aesthetic.
Most people think you just slap on a cape and call it a day. That’s a mistake. The layering system in this game is surprisingly deep, allowing you to mix and match base suits, hand-wear, and headgear to create something that actually looks like it belongs in an episode of the show.
Why Your Superhero Look Actually Matters
In The Fractured But Whole, your character—the New Kid—is a blank slate. While your powers come from your chosen class (like Speedster, Blaster, or Cyborg), your identity is tied to your threads. Ubisoft San Francisco and South Park Digital Studios went to painstaking lengths to ensure these costumes felt "authentic" to the DIY spirit of the show.
You’ll notice that many items have visible tape, staples, or rough edges. This is intentional. The game wants you to look like a kid who raided a garage. If you look too polished, you’re doing it wrong. Honestly, the best part is how the town reacts to you. Walking around South Park in a full-blown "Tupperware" or "Mysterion" knock-off outfit feels different than just wearing the default pajamas.
It's about the roleplay. You’re building a brand. Whether you want to look like a gritty vigilante or a flamboyant chaos agent, the costume sets the tone for your entire playthrough.
Finding the Rarest Gear in the Game
You can’t just buy the best stuff right away. A lot of the iconic South Park the fractured but whole costumes are tucked away in chests, hidden behind environmental puzzles, or locked inside the houses of your favorite characters.
Take the Assassin Costume, for example. It's a blatant nod to Assassin’s Creed, and it’s one of the coolest sets in the game. You have to go to the Photo Dojo and buy the recipe. But wait—you can't just craft it. You need the specific components, which means you’re going to be hunting for scrap and biohazard containers for a while.
Then there’s the Cyber Warrior set. It looks like something out of a low-budget 80s sci-fi flick. You find parts of it in the storage lockers or hidden in the back of the school. Tracking these down is half the fun. Some costumes are rewards for finishing specific side quests, like the Raisins Outfit, which you get after dealing with the Raisins girls at their restaurant. It’s pink. It’s loud. It’s humiliating. It’s perfect.
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The Crafting Grind
Crafting is the primary way you’ll expand your wardrobe. You’ll find recipes everywhere. Some are sold by vendors like Vendor-O-Mat or at the various shops in town like Sloppy 2nds.
- Recipe Cost: Most basic recipes are cheap, but the "Legendary" versions require serious exploration.
- Materials: You need tech, scrap, and occasionally "special" items. Don't sell your junk until you're sure you don't need it for that one helmet you've been eyeing.
- Artifacts vs. Costumes: Remember, costumes are purely visual. They don't change your stats. Your "Might" comes from Artifacts. This is a blessing because it means you don't have to wear an ugly helmet just because it has good stats. You can look however you want.
The Best Costume Sets and Where to Grab Them
If you want to look like a pro, you need to know which sets are actually worth the effort. Everyone starts with the basic spandex, but that’s for losers.
The Netherborn Look
For the goths and the edge-lords. The Netherborn costume is part of the DLC, but even in the base game, there are "dark" alternatives. It features heavy blacks, purples, and a general "I hate my parents" vibe. It pairs incredibly well with the Plantmancer or Assassin classes.
The Amazonian Set
This one is a classic. It’s a nod to Wonder Woman but with that distinct South Park jankiness. You can find pieces of this scattered in chests around the more affluent parts of town. It’s sturdy, looks great in cutscenes, and the headpiece is iconic.
The Supernova
If you want to lean into the cosmic, space-hero vibe, the Supernova set is your best bet. It has these glowing accents that really pop during the night missions. You’ll usually find these recipes later in the game as you start uncovering the more "extra-terrestrial" elements of the plot.
The King Set
A carry-over from The Stick of Truth. If you want to remind everyone that you were once the King of the fantasy realm before everyone decided superheroes were cooler, this is the way to do it. It’s a bit out of place in a superhero game, but that’s exactly why it works.
Customization: Beyond the Preset Sets
The real magic happens when you stop wearing full sets. The game lets you change colors for almost every individual piece. Want a neon green Batman look? Go for it. Want to look like a discount version of Captain America with a colander on your head? You can do that too.
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I’ve spent hours just messing with the color sliders. The "New Kid" can have different skin tones, hair styles, and facial hair, all of which interact with the headgear differently. Some helmets will hide your hair entirely; others will let your mohawk poke out the top. It’s these little details that make South Park the fractured but whole costumes feel like a personal expression rather than just a skin.
Also, don't sleep on the "Makeup" and "Facial Hair" sections. Adding a bit of "Heroic Dirt" or some "Intense Scars" to your character’s face can make a goofy costume look surprisingly badass. Or you can just give yourself a monocle and a handle-bar mustache while wearing a bikini. The game won't judge you. In fact, it encourages it.
The DLC Costumes: Are They Worth It?
Ubisoft released several DLC packs like Danger Deck, From Dusk Till Casa Bonita, and Bring the Crunch. Each of these brought new costumes to the table.
If you’re a completionist, the Bring the Crunch DLC is essential because it introduces the Final Girl class and some horror-themed outfits that are legitimately some of the best-designed assets in the game. The "Mintberry Crunch" inspired gear is also a huge hit for fans of the show’s deeper lore.
Is it worth the extra cash? If you love the game's combat and want more challenges, yes. If you just want the clothes, maybe wait for a sale. But honestly, the "Final Girl" aesthetic—think 80s slasher movie survivor—is such a vibe that it's hard to pass up.
Common Misconceptions About Gear
A lot of players get confused about how gear works. Let’s clear some stuff up.
First off, there is no "best" costume. Since they are 100% cosmetic, the "best" one is simply the one you like looking at for 20 hours.
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Secondly, you don't lose your costume if you change your class. Your class dictates your moves, but your "brand" stays the same. You can be a "Blaster" who looks like a medieval knight if that’s what you’re into.
Lastly, don't forget the "Title" system. While not a physical costume piece, your title (which you earn through achievements and exploration) appears on your character sheet and affects how the world sees your "Hero." It’s the final touch on your custom persona.
How to Maximize Your Collection
If you want to unlock every single piece of South Park the fractured but whole costumes, you need to be thorough.
- Punch everything. Seriously. Mailboxes, bags, boxes—if it can be broken, break it. Many costume recipes are hidden in everyday objects.
- Check every closet. Most of the kids’ houses have walk-in closets. Use your "fart" powers to reach high places or clear obstacles to get to the chests hidden inside.
- Buy every recipe. Even if you don't like the look of a costume, buy the recipe. It counts toward your crafting rank, and increasing your rank unlocks even better recipes.
- Talk to everyone. Some NPCs will give you clothing items after you complete a selfie with them or finish a minor task.
Final Insights for the Aspiring Hero
The costume system is a love letter to the fans. It rewards you for exploring every nook and cranny of the map. By the time you reach the end of the game, your wardrobe should be overflowing with capes, masks, and weirdly specific accessories.
Don't be afraid to look stupid. The funniest moments in the game often happen during serious cutscenes where your character is standing in the background wearing a giant cardboard shark head and a tutu. That’s the South Park experience.
To get the most out of your game, start by visiting the Photo Dojo early to see what’s available for purchase. From there, make it a point to explore Stark’s Pond and the U-Stor-It facility; these areas are goldmines for unique gear. Keep your crafting materials stocked, and never pass up a chance to loot a purple chest. Your superhero legacy depends on it.
Next Steps for Players:
- Check the Toy Store: Go to the "Tom's Rhinoplasty" area and check the nearby vendors; they often rotate stock for basic headgear.
- Master the TimeFart: Use "TimeFart Pause" to grab chests that are guarded by traps before they can close or reset.
- Focus on Costumes during Day 2: Once you unlock more buddy powers (like Captain Diabetes’ strength), go back to the starting areas to reach previously inaccessible chests containing "Rare" tier costume sets.