The gameplay part of the game, while not at the stunning resolution of the cut scenes still does look good. The cut scenes are very well rendered and look stunning.
The graphics in this game are a very sweet looking version of the TV show. It is nice to hear the comic book guy point out that Lava certainly isn't the most original setting in a video game or that Escort Missions aren't the most enjoyable part of the game but always appear anyway. As well as the usual collectables there are Video Game Cliches. This is sometimes frustrating as you run across a coin for one character but aren't playing with them at the moment. Not only do you have to get to that high ledge, but you have to get there with the right character to pick up the coin that is up there. Running over one of Homers beer caps with Bart doesn't collect it. So each character specific coin is only collectable by that character. Homers beer caps, Lisas Malibu Stacy stickers, Marges Saving Coupons and Barts Krusty Stickers are a bit of a twist that makes some of the collections areas a bit more difficult. They are not the normal generic kind in this game, but each character has his/her own set of character specific things to collect. Tapping the D-pad will let you switch between your characters as you wish, or scroll through your characters if you are controlling more than two on your current level.Ĭoins. Later on your coin collecting spree in Springfield you will be able to control two of the character at a time, but you will be able to switch them out at any of the bus stops around town. You can switch back and forth between them as you please in each level, but unfortunately each level will pre-select the characters you have to use. On most of the levels you will be controlling only two of the characters. When you finally are released around Springfield and go on a coin collecting spree it isn't about each character but more about how each of the characters work together to get to some of the more difficult coins to collect. The smallest Simpsons family member can be put into small holes and passageways that the other characters cannot travel through. She then goes around collecting NPCs into her mob and then uses them to attack enemies or to build up certain areas around some of the maps. She has a megaphone that she can use to incite the other characters into a raging mob. Marge has a bit of a different power than the rest of the family. She also has a stun ability that causes the enemies to attack each other. Lisa has her stunning saxophone ability that does a AoE group stun which really helps in taking out some of the larger groups you encounter in some of the later levels. You will have to come back to some earlier levels once your character have unlocked some of their later powers if you want to collect all of the ?coins?. This is one of those things that happens with platormers and those ?coin? collections. Making some of those far off ledges reachable later in the game. Bart the family bad egg has his sling shot as his main weapon, but is also able to use his ?Bartman? cloak to glide. Later in the game he is able to turn himself into some kind of gummie slug that can has a shooting ability. His speed burst and bounce can break some items and knock heavier items out of the way. Homer also, being the rotund fellow that he is has the ability to fatten himself up and roll around like a large beach ball. Homer has his belch cloud that will stun enemies and when powered up becomes a flame thrower.
Each of the characters has their own special set of abilities. You end up controlling the entire Simpsons family. He starts reading and discovers that each of the family has their own superpowers.
The game starts with Bart finding a copy of the game manual for this game in an alley. Joust, Gauntlet, Space Invaders all get covered in all sorts of different ways. If you are an long time video game player like myself (yes I remember going to the arcade in the mall when my parents went shopping) you are going to recognize a lot of old games parodied in this game. But also, just like the TV show, The Simpsons Game rips off every video game that ever came before.
Double jumping, coin collecting and progressing from level to level. What kind of game is The Simpsons? The Simpsons is a platformer at its base. Thankfully The Simpsons Game is actually a good game. For years game companies have churned out all kinds of swill that we have lapped up based on us being fans of the shows. Why are you still here? Go buy the game! You still don't believe me do you? I know, I know games based on movies and TV shows have a terrible history. If you are a fan of the Simpsons and don't hate platformers buy this game.