The Simpsons Game (Xbox 360) Review
Posted by James McGee on 11.27.2007
Believe the hype: This is the best Simpsons game ever
Simpsons games don’t have the greatest track-record. Early buzz on this latest title heralded it as the family’s digital savior, and the controversy surrounding Rockstar Games’ hissy-fit over a Grand Theft Auto parody only helped fuel anticipation. So, does The Simpsons Game live up to that hype? Even though it doesn’t re-invent the wheel with its gameplay (in fact, that’s by far the least compelling element), the total package is a brilliant interpretation of the Simpsons universe. The story (which has TV’s favorite family breaking down the fourth-wall and becoming characters in a video game) parodies some of the industry’s biggest names and clichés with the show’s trademark wit. The look and sound design offer a near-flawless representation of the show. It’s a lot of fun, will have you laughing out-loud, and is a great title to convert non-gaming fans of the show into the cult…er…lifestyle of games. Believe the hype—it really is the best Simpsons Game ever made.
Sparkles > evil loggers
Gameplay
It’s probably best to get the negativity out of the way first, and the weakest link in The Simpsons Game’s chain-of-awesome is definitely the gameplay. That’s not to say it’s terrible, but it’s certainly a mixed-bag. For the most part, the game is a standard 3D platformer that has the player controlling a pair of Simpsons while solving various jumping puzzles, collecting a pant-load of do-dads, and engaging in light combat. As with any platformer, this all runs the risk of getting a little repetitive. One of the collectibles players try to seek out are “Video Game Clichés,” where Comic Book Guy will pop up and point out hackneyed conventions such as breakable crates and pressure pads. While I understand this is all part of the greater-joke-design of the game, pointing out clichés doesn’t make them any less cliché, so the game is always walking a thin line between facilitating its humor and offering a satisfying gaming experience. Most of the time, it gets the balance just right, but even the most forgiving player will likely be a little miffed by the repetition at some point.
There are also some balance issues in terms of difficulty. The majority of the game is very easy (which may be complaint enough for veteran gamers), but the last couple of stages are unevenly difficult by comparison. After trouncing countless weaker enemies, the game suddenly decides to throw waves of powerful baddies at you, along with some extremely devious jumping sequences. There’s even a joke about the difficulty, but just as with the clichés, pointing it out doesn’t make it less annoying.
The Simpson Game makes up for these small quibbles by offering a good amount of variety mixed in with the platforming. Each member of the family has wildly different abilities that make for some inventive puzzle solving. Homer can roll into a ball and launch off certain ramps. Bart can glide and grapple with the help of his Bartman paraphernalia. Lisa can utilize Buddha statues to manipulate the environment from a god-like perspective…There are a lot of different mechanics at work in the game, and just about all of them become useful at some point. You’re not given a choice as to which two characters you can bring along for each episode, so the game is pretty linear, with only one solution to each situation. However, the episodes are cleverly designed, so players’ lack of freedom never feels like an issue.
Another source of variety comes in the various parodies you’ll encounter throughout the game. In addition to spoofing the tone and look of other games, The Simpsons busts out some funny takes on classics like Space Invaders, Gauntlet, and Joust. There’s even a sprinkling of Japanese-style RPG in a couple of boss battles. With all of this variety, the good gameplay definitely out-weighs the bad. However, it would have been nice to see this most important aspect of gaming fall in line with The Simpsons Game’s overall brilliance.
Does this screenshot make me look fat?
Graphics
There isn’t much I can say about the graphics except that they’re nearly flawless. Whereas most modern cartoon-based games try to render their subjects in 3D (thereby ruining the endearing look of the characters), The Simpsons Game chose a 2D art style that really makes the game look like an episode of the show. The environments are a little more three-dimensional, so they sometimes look a little out of place next to the characters. During close-ups, the characters themselves look a little stiff, especially when butted up against the animated cut-scenes that precede and follow each episode. However, these are flaws of the most nit-picking order. The graphics play a big part in making The Simpsons Game a great overall experience.
Sound
There is actually less to find fault with in the audio than with the graphics. All of the familiar voices from the show appear in the game, and they are constantly chattering throughout each level. The one-liners do repeat, but not nearly as much as you’d expect, and there are a ton of situation-specific phrases throughout the game that you’ll only hear once. If you are a Simpsons fan, or even just have a reasonable sense of humor, you will laugh out loud while playing this game. Music and sound-effects are forgettable, but they do they’re job, and besides, look at what they’re competing against! The voice-work is simply some of the best you’ll hear in a video game.
Lasting Appeal
Playing through the main game will take you no more than six to eight hours the first time through, and that’s allowing for trouble with some of the more head-scratching puzzles. Many players will likely finish significantly quicker. After the main story is conquered, there are time trials to challenge, collectibles to gather, trophies to earn, and (in the Xbox 360 version), achievements to unlock. For those who found the main game lacking in challenge, all this stuff could provide something to shoot for. For others, there is enough to see and hear—and the gameplay is engaging enough—that you won’t mind going back through again. I guarantee you missed some gags the first time through, especially talking to all the characters mulling around the hub-world of Springfield, and in the Game Engine level, where the background is full of jabs at several games and game conventions (EA even has the decency to poke fun at itself). There’s a lot to like the first time through, and once you’ve figured out the controls and the puzzles, you’ll enjoy returning to explore the vibrant world at a more relaxed pace.
Look, it’s Grand Theft Auto…Oh, wait, this game has a sense of humor.
Fun Factor
If you haven’t guessed, The Simpsons Game will score high in this category. It certainly doesn’t shatter new ground with its gameplay, so this one leans heavily on the overall experience. But the experience is so good, I don’t have a problem with that at all. The game is full of the same self-referential humor, tongue-in-cheek philosophy, and out-right absurdity that has kept The Simpsons on TV for so long. While it may not be the most innovative game underneath all that, it’s far from boring, and does an admirable job of providing a framework for the important business of entertaining. Thank the Creator that The Simpsons Game is one of the dwindling voices reminding us that games should be fun above all else.
The 411
This one is definitely for the fans. The Simpsons Game is a little simplistic and repetitive in terms of pure gameplay, so non-fans of the show might not appreciate what’s on tap here. But long-time viewers will absolutely love it. It actually looks like the show, and all the familiar voices and trademark sense of humor help complete the package. If ever a game was more than the sum of its parts, it’s this one. Not only is it the best Simpsons game ever made, its one of the best licensed games as well.
Graphics
9.5
Great 2D art design that has the game looking just like an episode of the show.
Gameplay
7.5
Solid platforming with a bit of variety mixed in, but this is definitely the game’s weakest element. Repetitive and sometimes a little frustrating, but never enough to bring down the overall fun.
Sound
10.0
Even better than the graphics, the audio is hilarious and full of familiar voices.
Lasting Appeal
8.0
A short main quest, but tons of collectibles and time trials to lure you back in. Maybe too many for some to bother with, but there’s enough fun to keep it from being too much of a chore.
Fun Factor
9.0
This game is all about the total experience. All of the parts come together to make a great whole that is fun, funny, and fantastic.
