The Simpsons Game Review

By Tom Bramwell Published 30 October, 2007

There is no strapline for what I'm feeling.

Version tested: Xbox 360

Given that The Simpsons has been on TV for longer than most of the TV channels that show it, you could forgive EA for pillaging the existing scripts and building another dull, 5-million-selling platform game to fit. Fortunately they haven't done that. Instead, they've come up with new scenarios, recorded tons of new dialogue and proper animated sequences, and, er, built another dull, 5-million-selling platform game to fit.

Split into 16 episodes - self-contained stories bound by their mutual desire to send up videogames - what we have here is a third-person platform game full of simple combat and puzzles, most of which is defensibly average, potentially stabilised by a lot of good jokes and the occasional moment of mild inspiration. The Simpsons have discovered that they are in a game, and have special powers to match, and each has different ideas about how to put them to use.

As with the show, Homer's the star - he can burp people to death and transform into Homerball to bowl them out of the way, and gets most of the best gags. Bart can fire his slingshot, or turn into Bartman and hover across gaps; Lisa can stun enemies with her saxophone, or use Buddha statues to assume an aerial view of the level and deploy a hand-of-God UFO-Catcher to move things around; and Marge can use a megaphone to rally NPCs to help her, or shove Maggie into vents where she can pull switches and uncover collectibles. All that in addition to the usual button-mashing punch attack.

'The Simpsons Game' Screenshot 1

Pretty much everyone you can think of makes an appearance. Sideshow Bob is particularly good.

Each of the four-and-a-half Simpsons keeps their special abilities fuelled by boffing enemies and gathering pick-ups, and each can take advantage of a special temporary power-up to become super-strong and invincible. Homer, again, gets the best - a fabled chilli that turns him into a swollen blob of red rolling death. Each level is played by two Simpsons at once - you can either switch between them using the d-pad, or a second player can jump in at any time - and in between bashing things, you're expected to draw upon their diverse characteristics to solve minor puzzles - often in collaboration. Solutions are completely prescribed, but reasonably varied.

For example, if Lenny and Carl are about to be minced by Monty Burns' logging machine, Lisa needs to use her Buddha-backed levitation ability to rearrange some nearby pipes so that gusts of air can carry a floating Bartman up to an elevated lever, which then opens the way for Lisa so she can free everyone's favourite comedy duo. Elsewhere, Marge orders her mob to build a platform for Lisa to climb, and Homer weighs down one end of a giant dinosaur skeleton so that Bart can jump from high enough to float down to the next room.

'The Simpsons Game' Screenshot 2

Rotating saw blades are a collectible cliché, but why does that make them worth including?

Each level is built around a particular theme, with numerous pleasing touches and references to soak up as you play. Asked to rescue Professor Frink from Donkey Kong on a videogame production line ("His touches are unwelcome!"), you'll spot a downcast Mario trudging along in a hamster wheel ("I haven't seen a mushroom for days"), or chuckle your way through the marketing zone ("You can do anything! But you won't"), and there are plenty of interactive elements to match, including nods to Space Invaders and Frogger. You also get to enjoy ongoing gags about Grand Theft Scratchy, despite Rockstar throwing a hissy-fit, and the associated level stands up as a decent joke with a splendid punchline.

The Simpsons is also aware of its own shortcomings - and keen to highlight them - allowing you to "collect" clichés like invisible walls and crates. Sadly though, by the time Bart wanders through the videogame machine muttering, "With all this equipment, you'd think games would be better," you'll probably agree for all the wrong reasons. There are 31 irritating clichés to collect in all, but that total is well short of the number you'll actually encounter. There's no acknowledgement of having to wait for one Simpson's lever-pulling animation to complete before switching characters, or of the disappointing camera, which starts off facing the wrong way in the tutorial before embarking on a 16-level tour of all the dizzying mistakes a third-person viewfinder can make.

'The Simpsons Game' Screenshot 3

"Come here! I need your obesity!"

Nor does the game acknowledge some of its other, sillier mistakes, like hiding one of Homer's collectibles (a Duff bottle cap) behind a layer of cake, tweaking your gamer senses such that you'll waste time traipsing around each of the others on the off-chance that there's another (there isn't). That's on the tutorial level, too, for the record - shooting yourself in the foot at that point might be Simpsons-esque, but it doesn't amount to good game design. The difficulty, overall, is that sustained satire needs to be largely infallible to function as intended. If not, it becomes a touch hypocritical, and The Simpsons veers that way a few too many times for my liking, telegraphing a few too many puzzle solutions and generally dumbing itself down and settling into the sort of off-puttingly repetitive patterns it is otherwise racing to mock.

There's also the absence of online play to argue about, although I'm inclined to side with EA on this one: it works best if you're sat in the same room, sharing the experience. Some will also criticise the visuals, which - outside the cartoon sequences - don't really do the source material justice, even in HD, but they are reasonable alternatives, and certainly the best a Simpsons game has ever managed to look without relying on the fuzz of a rubbish display to mask its shortcomings.

'The Simpsons Game' Screenshot 4

Lisa's levitation trick is the solution to many a puzzle, although it's fenced in to make sure you get the point.

The big debate will be how far the (largely excellent) writing and performances of the main characters, not to mention the satisfyingly gorgeous animated sequences custom-built for the game, go towards balancing out its real shortcomings. There's certainly a lot of good material in here. I can't remember the last game that made me laugh within five seconds of turning it on, but "Achievement Unlocked: Press START to Play" managed it, and some of the voice-over gags for Burns/Kang-Kodos/Duffman/etc would probably satisfy the TV show's famously democratic writing table enough to make their way into the real thing. I don't think it's going too far to say I liked some of this more than the film, and it's nice to see EA actually laughing at itself, too.

On that basis, then, the developers deserve a lot of credit for getting all the best Simpsons people involved with the game. For me though, the humour can only carry it so far. If you want a videogame platformer to make you and a friend laugh, you'd be better off playing Lego Star Wars. If you want to enjoy The Simpsons, you're better off buying one of the box-sets. Seasons 3 and 4 are almost completely brilliant, and you could buy either of them new for the price of the game, and probably pick up both of them second-hand for less. Easiest. Conclusion. Ever.

6 / 10

The Simpsons Game is due out on 2nd November on Xbox 360, PS2, Wii and DS. (Editor's note: We previously reported that "Grand Theft Scratchy" elements had been removed. This was relayed in good faith, but turned out to be wrong.)

Read the Eurogamer.net scoring policy
Picture of Tom.

About Tom Bramwell

Tom is Operations director of Eurogamer Network and Editor-at-Large of Eurogamer.net. He joined the company in February 2000.

Read more articles from Tom by visiting the Tom Bramwell archive page.

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Comments (59) Latest comment 4 years ago

Comments threads automatically close after 30 days, but please feel free to continue chatting on the forum!

  • Guv #1 4 years ago

    Doh!

  • BBIAJ #2 4 years ago

    Didn't think this would be all that good TBH, still, at least I still have Hit & Run...

  • Sid-Nice #3 4 years ago

    A deer

  • X201 #4 4 years ago

    Was expecting this after playing the demo
    Based on the demo six seems generous.

  • jaxon58 #5 4 years ago

    Shame about the score, but I'm pretty sure this will sell very well over the xmas period.

  • cyacomini #6 4 years ago

    after playing the demo last week I'd say a 6 was way generous.

    Felt more like a 3 to me.

  • DUFFMAN5 #7 4 years ago

    OH YEAH.......................I mean Feckarse.
    Will still buy.
    Edited by 1 at 30/10/07 @ 14:30

  • AcidSnake #8 4 years ago

    A female deer

  • Darren #9 4 years ago

    Shame...

    The words of IGN's 7.7 review seemed at odds with the final score. They seemed to love the humour and way the game stuck true to the cartoon but seemed less impressed with the game itself, particularly its lack of online gameplay and the somewhat unbalanced splitscreen co-op mode.

    While this game was never on my list of games to buy this year, I was hoping it would be good enough to pick up on the cheap in the new year. I was a bit unimpressed by the demo, the feel and look was spot on but the level itself was boring to play.

  • Triggerhappytel #10 4 years ago

    Was never in doubt. Another average, albeit well-produced, movie tie-in.

  • Goffee #11 4 years ago

    Simpson's games will only score highly when Smithers and Monty's Untold Love Adventure hits stores!

  • Mugwum Verified Operations Director, Eurogamer Network #12 4 years ago

    "after playing the demo last week I'd say a 6 was way generous. "

    Not everything in it is as dismal as the demo level, fortunately. Still, not exactly a brilliant choice on their part.

    "probably a rental"

    You'll certainly be done with it forever by the time you need to take it back.

  • Royal Fool #13 4 years ago

    The fact that this game is "making fun" of clichés and common game design mistakes really just feels like an excuse for the developers to be a bit lazy on that front.

    Implementing invisible walls and then saying "Haha, gee, these invisible walls sure suck, huh?!" is just, I dunno, dumb.

    From having played the demo, I'd say Tom's conclusion is spot on.

    And now let's watch as this game rockets to the top of the charts for months... *sigh*

  • DUFFMAN5 #14 4 years ago

    Tom
    Any chance of a DS review. It is a side scrolling platform thingy. Screens and vids look great.

  • crwoody #15 4 years ago

    After playing the demo i was put off stright away, and this score puts the nail in the coffin of my not buying it.

    Shame really as this could have been so much better.

  • zuljin #16 4 years ago

    After playing the demo few weeks ago I'd say a 6 was not generous enough.

    I really enjoyed it, my main niggle with the game was that your AI buddy seemed really rather stupid. If the game is just more platforming then I may pick this up anyway.

  • SirClive #17 4 years ago

    Played the PS3 demo and that was enough to put me off.

  • shido #18 4 years ago

    Wheeew don't have to buy it then. Thanks EG

  • drumbaby #19 4 years ago

    Getting this for the co-op alone.

  • Pac-man-ate-my-wife #20 4 years ago

    Simpsons Game? Check
    Average Quality? Check

    Nothing to see here. Move along.

  • thepiedpiper #21 4 years ago

    ray

  • the_dudefather #22 4 years ago

    the cartoon sequences make you want them to release the movie on HD ASAP

    the demo level has horrendous however, your amazing gliding power keeps you in the air an extra tenth of a second, making getting to those lard lad openings frustrating (especially since you only have about 10 seconds to do do)

  • Mugwum Verified Operations Director, Eurogamer Network #23 4 years ago

    "Any chance of a DS review. It is a side scrolling platform thingy."

    I expect it will either get its own airing or slide into one of our irregular roundups, yep. Quite a lot of other stuff to contend with at the moment though! Busy old time of year.

  • baardhimself #24 4 years ago

    naruto, simpsons, bladestorm this week for me

  • chrisjm #25 4 years ago

    i really liked the demo :)
    looking forward to friday when its out!

    6 isnt a bad score, net average is much higher +1 or +2 if your a big fan and got a good game lol

  • mattigan #26 4 years ago

    A drop of golden sun

  • Monkey_Puncher #27 4 years ago

    This is one license where bad reviews couldn't put me off, as long as you get to walk around Springfield and it's not another Skateboarding or Wrestling game then I'm more than happy to shell out.

    Oh and You can't go wrong with Seasons 3-9 on DVD..

  • Tonka #28 4 years ago

    Ooooff. I thought this would be a nail in the eye of solid 7's everywhere. A tirade of love making in the making. No more license fuck ups.

    Buuutt noooooo. They had to bork it just because.

    I'm sick and tired of always being ill and weary

  • afghan_jones #29 4 years ago

    well, no real surprise here.

    You cant just expect to get away using with shitty viedogame cliches by saying 'aha, but we KNOW they are cliches!'

    Becasue that doesnt make them any more fun to actually play.

  • hypernova #30 4 years ago

    I liked the demo. The 360 is also disappointingly bereft of 3d platformers, so this will be a buy for me.

  • El_MUERkO #31 4 years ago

    pity, might rent it all the same, having sky has rekindled my love of the simpsons

  • Tonka #32 4 years ago

    90.87.02
    UNBELIEVE

  • BillyBrush #33 4 years ago

    Going to get flamed for it

    ...but even Simpsons on autopilot is going to make a far funnier game than Psychonauts...which was about as funny as having teeth pulled out

    I think this is one of those games which whilst parodying left right and centre is not really going to appeal to hardcore gamers

    But i guarantee if you left your average man in the street with a demo of this and a demo of psychonauts he wouldn't be playing psychonauts at all, because he hasn't played Grim Fandango and doesn't give a shite who teh fook Tim Schafer is

  • afghan_jones #34 4 years ago

    yes, and we all aspire to be like 'the average man on the street' dont we?

    Personally I can think of nothing worse.

  • simiankid #35 4 years ago

    Each of the four-and-a-half Simpsons keeps their special abilities fuelled by boffing enemies

    Really? Blimey, bit naughty for a 'E' rated game innit? Or does boffing mean something a lot less rude in Brighton?

    Boffing

  • Tim #36 4 years ago

    Actually, I bought Psychonauts for Xbox cheap ages ago, and never got around to playing it. Coincidentally, I finally unwrapped it and put it in my 360 last night. I've only finished the first part, but I thought it was really funny. Certainly funnier than the Simpsons demo, anyway.

    "LAKE MONSTER!!!!"

  • BillyBrush #37 4 years ago

    yes, and we all aspire to be like 'the average man on the street' dont we?

    Personally I can think of nothing worse.


    @Afghan

    lovely answer if i had suggested such a thing, unfortunately i didn't but hey ho, that's your average internet blogger for you, always interpreting simple english in wonderful new ways to suit their viewpoint.

    Edited by 1 at 30/10/07 @ 16:37

  • bloke #38 4 years ago

    /dons handy nun outfit

    me

  • afghan_jones #39 4 years ago

    @blillybrush.

    i wasnt really being all that serious, so keep your pants on.

  • db3 #40 4 years ago

    Not suprised, demo was shite.

  • Arwin #41 4 years ago

    Guessed as much from the demo.

  • Azazel #42 4 years ago

    I for one welcome our new EA overlords etc.
    Edited by 1 at 30/10/07 @ 17:15

  • BillyBrush #43 4 years ago

    @blillybrush.

    i wasnt really being all that serious, so keep your pants on


    There you go again, you're correct too, i was really getting het up, and had removed my pants

    Again, you've interpreted a simple bit of plain english as something it's not, congrats, i bet people who have to email you for work have a right old time with you reading between the lines so effectively

    Adios



  • jonsaan #44 4 years ago

    I still think this looks like fun. The demo was great in 2 player. Not so much in 1.

  • kungphu #45 4 years ago

    I thought the demo was a bit like the Futurama game, funny but average gameplay, I thought the targeting system was poor on the demo too

  • MrFlintBlackman #46 4 years ago

    I think the DS verison should get a proper review, the videos look great!

  • Corben_Dallas #47 4 years ago

    Worst review ...ever

    :p

  • tobsen #48 4 years ago

    I thought the demo was really good fun - not so much as a game in the typical sense, but more as a reasonably hilarious interactive cartoon.

    If the final game is on the same level of quality, I will go for it.

  • mattigan #49 4 years ago

    A name I call myself....

  • WJF #50 4 years ago

    Woo! I just used the ignore button for the first time. This page looks much more civil now

    *goes on ignore spree*

    *feels lonely*

    /not on the previous poster may I add...that would be just cruel and uncalled for
    ----
    Screams "rental". Actually, screams "make a friend rent it and just happen to pop round that night".

  • Banksy #51 4 years ago

    far

  • Agent_Llama #52 4 years ago

    a long long way to run...

  • spookyzombie #53 4 years ago

    As usual EG are being a bit tight with their points. I've been playing this for just over three hours now, and I honestly think it's the best platformer on the 360 (I realise there's not much competition). It plays really well, is one of the best looking 360 titles I've seen and has the added bonus of being Simpson related too, which means it's laugh out loud funny in places. Strangely, the demo they used on the marketplace was a really bad choice. I wouldn't base your opinion entirely on that. I'd suggest that this is more of a 8 out of 10 title - and certainly worth a rent at the very least.

  • DB2k #54 4 years ago

    i was shit at the demo
    thought it looked nice tho

  • jlaakso #55 4 years ago

    The camera is crap, otherwise good fun. So basic, but very well written. A six sounds about right to me, but if you really like basic platformers (and those people are around), there isn't anything really wrong with this, either.

  • BadBoyBonner #56 4 years ago

    “Some will also criticise the visuals, which - outside the cartoon sequences - don't really do the source material justice”

    Give over Mugwum – after playing only the demo – I’d have to say that I can not really see how the Graphics could be any better for a Simpson’s game. Plus the screenshot’s in the review, for me, back up those feelings.

    Only problem I have (well, technically not me) is that my 5 year old nephew loves playing this (demo) and will play it for what feels ages (come on kid, I got PGR4 to plough through) without EVER having a chance of being able complete the demo. This is due to the skill and forward thinking required to destroy all three spots on the back of the “boss”. For me the demo seems very easy and a bit soulless – although there seems no glaring weakness.

    To be honest the game is probably not aimed at me or him – but somewhere in-between.

    For me I think I’d prefer a game based on Family Guy or American Dad – not sure how you’d make a good game out of the license ( perhaps expanding the Passion of Christ 2: Crucify This into a Stranglehold parody would be good – I would guess being Stan to be a much better game premise) – but I much prefer FG & AD over the recent Simpson’s.

  • mattigan #57 4 years ago

    So

  • sajtion #58 4 years ago

    the conclusion of the review is ridiculous

  • suj #59 4 years ago

    Demo owned, Game owns harder. You are a peenarse if you don't like it. MP Co-op is awesome.