Video Game Reviews
Title: Simpsons Hit and Run
Review rating: ***1/2
Platform/console: Gamecube, PC, Playstation2, Xbox
Release date: September 2003
Genre: Role playing/driving/adventure
Players allowed: 1
ESRB rating: T (Comic Mischief, Mild Language, Violence)
Production company: Vivendi Universal Games
If you love to laugh, this game has 50 fun-filled missions
full of comedy and references thanks to the popular game engine
used Grand Theft Auto. As in GTA, you get full experience
on foot or by vehicle. Even the title concept "hit
and run" (once your rage meter gets too high and you're
close to the cops, you get caught with a $50 fine) mirrors
GTA gameplay. One notable difference - characters automatically
jump out of the vehicle before it blows up from too much damage.
Set in Springfield, the storyline involves some conspiracy-like
activity involving mechanical bees and suspicious new "Buzz"
cola. These elements provide challenges, but aren't
very threatening, which eases the mind to keep your entertainment
level high. Don't worry, there's plenty of challenges
for serious gamers and fun for fans including plenty of great
dialogue, especially Bart, the narrator, who moans lines like
"Why did I agree to do this stupid tutorial?"
and "Violence is always an appropriate response in
the face of the unknown." The solid comedy comes directly
from the show's original writers and, of course, the original
voice talent of popular characters including Homer, Apu, Lisa
and Marge.
Of course, viewers and fans of the show will get a lot more
out the environments (downtown, the harbor and suburbs) gags
and jokes laced throughout the game. Unfamiliar players can
"bone up" on Simpsons trivia with the 49 hidden
collector cards containing trivia, quotes and other information
from specific TV episodes.
The gameplay satisfies with several extras, coins, time trial
races, bonus games and unlockable cars and you can always
check your level progress to see what elements you're missing.
The car controls are simple (as Bart says "Just like
every driving game ever") and smooth allowing players
to spin out and perform some amazing and challenging stunts.
You can acquire wrench icons to repair your ride. New and
different cars (many seen in the Simpsons Road Rage game)
can be bought from other characters and at the phone booths
scattered around town. Navigation assistance consists of the
GTA-like map icon in the right corner of the screen, but you
also get some blinking arrows right on the road which can
help you get to your objective, especially when time is running
out on your mission.
On foot, choice of clothing becomes an important element in
certain missions, but most of the threads should tickle your
funny bone and provide some nice variety. Familiarize yourself
with the basic jump, attack, jump-attack, double-jump and
jumping slam attack for more interactive fun and bonuses.
Would've liked to actually buy some food or play the
video games in the Qwik-E-Mart and see Scratchy blow up on
the right of the loading graphic at the end, but there's
so many more laughs and entertaining elements to this highly
recommended game. Lack of originality in the gameplay (borrowing
significantly from GTA) and a few graphic/clipping problems
represent the only miscues of this worthy game title.
Review by Michael Siebenaler
© Vivendi Universal
®
