The Simpsons Game review (X360)

Despite the massive merchandising push and multi-media invasion of Simpsons products, it’s difficult to find someone that doesn’t enjoy the Simpsons. Well written zany comedy lends itself very well to episodic television, not to mention the catchphrases (thankfully gradually phased out over the years) to have cuddly toys spew out when their bellys are squeezed, or whatever. The film has evidently been a success, which leaves the string of video games. With the exception of the classic Arcade game, I’ve never been a fan of Simpsons games, with the characters being thrown into very generic styles with little to attract fans except for the link to the show. Now we have ‘The Simpsons Game’, and with a definitive title like that it had better bring something special to the table.

Ignoring the Blu-Ray version of the film, The (Simpsons) Game is the first outing many of us will see of the Simpsons in High Definition and running on a decent HDTV brings out the vibrancy of the colours and styling. Perforated by a series of excellent animated cinematics, the game renders a beautiful vision of Springfield, practically all of its residents and some crazy new locations in a loving Simpsonian extravaganza. All of the characters look how they should in 3D, with the cell shading being simplistic enough to look like the show, but smooth enough to proudly stand in High Definition.

Is it funny?

Most will buy the game for the jokes; there can be no doubt of that. Indeed I wasn’t drawn to it for the hope of a good platforming adventure or gameplay innovation but the hope that the game would make me laugh out loud. As a matter of fact, it does bring a few new ideas to the mix but the gags are certainly amusing. Cinematics play out like a mini episode of the show and the gameplay elements have regular amusing comments from the characters and anyone who may be in the vicinity. One section puts you into a planetarium with one of those voices talking about the stars, planets and gazing into the future, until it starts getting bored and renaging you with amusing sound bites.

Fully voiced by the entire cast (as well as a few special guest stars that delighted me) the game keeps its lighthearted emotion based soundtrack style and a forgettable but fitting selection of sound effects to populate the world. You’ll feel, more than any game before, that you’re sucked into their world, and if you’re a fan will probably delight at the opportunity.

Tenuous links

Storywise, The Simpsons Game is incredibly self referential and self aware. Early on, Bart finds a copy of the manual to the game (yes, the one you’re playing) and learns of his special abilities. Without much thought as things get tougher the family find a cheat guide and use it to their advantage giving Bart a grappling hook, a gliding cape and general agile making abilities while Homer is given the chance to become big and powerful Homer-ball. Lisa gains powers that she can summon by meditating and controlling the environment with her ‘Hand of Buddah’ and Marge can control crowds and incite them into doing her bidding. The game gives you control of two of the aforementioned characters (preset for each level) and the puzzles are designed to be handled by the two of them, perhaps giving Marge a mob of characters to force to build a ramp to escape, while Lisa is moving the construction materials into place.

The plot allows for a series of connected but very varied levels. Some are entertaining slogs through hoards of enemies and some are less pleasurable slogs through areas (even including one of those annoying escort missions). While you have two characters with you at once, swapping between them is a button press away, and if one falls in combat, the other can resurrect them by approaching and hitting Y. Cleverly, another player can hit start and join in the fun as the other character instantly splitting the screen in two and allowing you to cooperate.

Collectables and challenges

While the main story can be rushed through in six or so hours, there seems to be plenty more to challenge yourself with once you’ve defeated all of the enemies, and played all of the minigames (in a tribute to other games there are even sections that replicate missile command, and even those addictive dance mat games). Each level has a number of collectables for each character that unlock extra power for your family’s special attacks. You can even explore the town of Springfield as a separate area to discover collectables, all referenced in a variety of predictable but well staggered achievements.

Once you’ve completed a level, you can go back and try to complete it in under the specified time as a challenge, or complete a separate challenge that takes place within the level (from destroying a set number of enemies within a certain time to collecting a number of items scattered throughout the level). It all adds up to a game that has obvious focus on the story but enough to keep completists busy for a while afterwards.

Does it benefit from being The Simpsons?

Arguably this very self aware game would have trouble existing without the humorous cast of characters, pre-existing stories and library of self referential comedy to throw upon us, and it does so well, despite the repetitive and quite generic standard gameplay afoot. It is an enjoyable romp through a world many of us will know and love, and while it’s impossible to recommend to Simpsons newcomers (they exist?), like the show, it’s hard not to find something to enjoy within The Simpsons Game.

That said, the self awareness of the game could be a theme that many might not get behind. Those that get the jokes such as Will Wright (creator of The Sims)’s cameo, video game parodies and general knowledge of the show seem to come in very handy; for example there is a level basically dedicated to Mr Sparkle. I enjoyed it as a mindless entertainment that kept me going through each level by incentivising the cinematics. You can too!