The Simpson’s Game
Fox’s critically acclaimed series The Simpsons is the longest-running animated show in television history, & just like the TV series the game has its own unique style of comedy and various surprises along the way. The storyline for The Simpson’s Game was crafted by the Emmy Award-winning writers of the show & the game also feature’s the full cast of fantastic voice actors from the TV show.
The Simpsons game is slightly different on each format so some of the items mentioned may not appear on every format. The game sees Bart being banned by Marge for playing the ultra violent "Grand Theft Scratchy" then Bart discovers a manual in an alleyway, which informs him that he and his family members are living in a video game and that they all have a range of super powers. Gamers have to help them with their journey through Springfield & Beyond to help save the world from chaos.
To help the Simpsons, gamers must journey through all of Springfield and beyond to vanquish an amazing array of villains, and fight their way through parodies of multiple popular games. Homer and Bart firstly have to stop the school bullies Dolph, Kearney and Jimbo Jones from stealing from the Natural History Museum, then Lisa is introduced and we learn to use her meditation skills where she uses the power of Buddha to move objects and people.
Then Marge starts to protest in Springfield about the violence in videogames, which involves beating up Police officers and children in Scratchy masks. Then an alien attack is launched upon Springfield, and Bart and Lisa, have to visit Professor Frink who is in the game engine. Where he gives them "The Simpsons Game" player's guide to better understand on how the family can use their powers. These levels include the takeover by scary demonic dolphins and an attack by a giant Lard Lad statue.
Two different family members are playable on each level, aside from The Land of Chocolate tutorial where only Homer is playable. For the Nintendo DS you have Pet Homer which parodies Nintendogs where you have to make sure Homers happy, feed him entertaining him and tickle his belly.
Each family member has their own abilities, Homer’s power turns him into a giant ball that can burst through obstacles and enemies, and he can also burp, inhale helium allowing him to float. His power-ups are food and a spicy Guatemalan chili that transforms him into an invincible ball of lava. Bart has a slingshot, cape to glide and the ability to use zip lines. Marge has a megaphone as a weapon to nag people and control them to fight enemies for her, or to move heavy objects. Maggie Appears from inside a carrier on Marge's back, and can be used to infiltrate air ducts. Lisa has a saxophone, that can stun enemies, and her main power is using Hand of Buddha ports or the Hand of Enlightenment in order to move large heavy objects, and to hit enemies.
Each family member has different things they have to collect. For Marge it’s Try-N-save coupons with Bart its Krusty the clown coupons. For Homer its Duff bottle caps and Lisa collects Malibu Stacey coupons. Comic book guy alerts you whenever you uncover one or visit him at The Android’s Dungeon to see how many you’ve got. Each level in the game has at least one video-game cliché for you to collect such as breakable wooden crates, invisible walls and double jumps. With parodies of some classic videogames including, Sonic, Street fighter, Mario & Frogger. Gamers who know there gaming history will find the parodies in this game really entertaining. Game play is pretty straight forward and even if you’re not a fan of The Simpsons show, this game is a lot of fun.
Anique James
Title: The Simpsons Game
Publisher: Electronic Arts Inc.
Developer: EA Redwood Shores
Street date: Out Now
Category: Action/Adventure Platform
Age rating: 12+
Available on:
Nintendo DS
Playstation 3
Playstation Portable
Wii
Xbox 360
Playstation 2