The Simpsons: Hit & Run review

1-800 How's My Driving

The Simpsons have always been a taboo subject in the video games industry. When we see games such as The Simpsons Skateboarding and The Simpsons Wrestling, you can almost imagine that more effort, care and thought went into making the developers lunch, than actually went into the product itself. However, Vivendi’s long partnership with veteran developer Radical Entertainment seems to have paid off, as The Simpsons: Hit & Run has eradicated our lack of faith in the license and after you’ve read this, it may just well lift yours too.

The idea of Hit & Run is by no stretch of the imagination original, like all Simpsons games before it. Although this time around, the winning formula is that of Rockstar Games’ Grand Theft Auto series, which have alone sold over 5 million units just in Europe. Due to the nature of the game a virtual Springfield has been created by the team, which is brimming with life. You’ll notice as you explore Springfield, that there are hundreds of references from the TV show and oodles of familiar faces that you’ll recognise. These signs alone indicate that the game has been crafted in the hands of people who not only wish to bring you a Simpsons experience you’ll remember, but that they also enjoy the show themselves and have studied the series hard to include as many comical references as possible for you to look out for as you play through the game.

Virtual Springfield

Adios Amigo!

Although based around the concept of Grand Theft Auto, Hit & Run does have many differences and may seem a bit too watered down for some. Obviously the morality of the game has been taken down a more comical route, so instead of killing pedestrians you bowl them over in your vehicles. While getting into vehicles you ‘borrow’ them, rather than ‘steal’ them. Such touches keep the game from becoming certificated by the BBFC. You will however find that many of the missions on offer are generally driving missions, with some platform style missions, which help break up the flow of play just nicely. While on foot, players will be able to explore buildings, alleyways and rooftops in search of bonus items and coins, which you can later use to buy new clothes and cars for each of the five playable characters: Homer, Bart, Marge, Lisa & Apu.

There certainly won’t be any awards going to Hit & Run graphically though, since the design of the game stays very true to the TV series. Many may feel that this makes the game look bland and dated, or might worry that the PS2 simply couldn't manage any better, but if you take a step back and look at how Springfield looks, Radical have really made a fantastic job of re-creating it. You have to wonder what made Radical go for 3D pixels however, as a cel-shaded approach would have been far more interesting and appealing to the player. The lighting effects on offer are very limited, while the car crashes can seem very dull, as you are treated to basic particle effects as you collide with other cars, walls and buildings. What you need to keep in mind however is that it’s not the graphics that make this game so much fun. It’s all about the audio and the classic Simpsons humour.

Comical Humour

In search of secrets, you could end up anywhere…

From the opening credits, with Danny Elfman’s unforgettable theme tune, you will be instantly captured and drawn into the experience, while many other themes from the show can also be heard throughout the game such as Itchy & Scratchy. Each of the five playable characters have tons of samples that are randomly triggered depending on the situation they are currently in. Now many Simpsons games before this had limited samples, which soon became annoying and lost their initial appeal. Hit & Run however has enough samples to keep you smiling and giggling to yourself as you play through. Each character’s voice actor from the series has come on board to lend their vocal talents to the game, giving a much more authentic feel as you play through. Don’t just expect the playable characters to keep you amused though. There are over fifty Simpsons characters around Springfield that all have humorous lines that they spout as you pass them on the street.

No matter how big or small a fan you are of the classic series, you will find it very difficult to resist Hit & Run. Never has a Simpsons game been so enjoyable (except for the classic 1990s arcade game). The perfect balance between Grand Theft Auto style gameplay, and the vast world of The Simpsons blend superbly together. Hit & Run is the game that all fans have been waiting for. Matt Groening should indeed be proud and safe in the knowledge that The Simpsons have finally been given the console break they so deeply deserve.