Xbox Living

As a general rule, it’s a good idea to steer clear of video games that are based on franchises from other media. Games based on movies and TV shows are often little more than a random assemblage of code, crappy voice acting and stolen ideas duct-taped together and sold based on the name alone.

But every now and then, a game comes along that’s true to its franchise and challenges the trend. The Simpsons Game is among them.

As soon as you begin your game, though, you immediately recognize that this is more than a cheap attempt to rake in some cash. First of all, the entire cast of the game is played by the voice actors who do the show. That includes all minor characters, including Kelsey Grammer as Sideshow Bob and Hank Azaria’s many roles.

The impressive cel-shaded graphics give the gameplay an authentic feel–just as if you were running around in the cartoon. The Simpsons have come a long way since the family first appeared in video arcades and on the Nintendo Entertainment System.

One of the first cutscenes in the game throws you a curve-ball about the game’s plot. You might have expected the game to be based on this year’s The Simpsons Movie. You’d be wrong to think that, though. Instead, the game is based on… well, the game. In this scene, Bart discovers the manual for the game in an alleyway. From this, he basically learns that he’s in a video game, and that he has special powers (which are first shown in that level, Bartman Begins).

This twist at first seems a little unsettling, but as you play and continue the story, you learn to love it. The video game extends to include levels that parody existing games. Medal of Homer, Grand Theft Scratchy and Neverquest are the names of a few levels, while references to Space Invaders, Pokémon, Katamari, Super Mario and Sonic the Hedgehog also appear. Between the usual satire of The Simpsons and EA’s willingness to make fun of themselves and their industry, The Simpsons Game is as entertaining to watch as it is to play.

The game itself has sandbox elements (collect items for each character around Springfield), and a wide variety of gameplay styles. Each Simpsons family member has his or her own abilities, so certain members are required for each part of the game. Each level features (at least) two family members, which can either be played by one player who switches back and forth, or two players in split-screen co-op. The co-op is well done, since the levels include puzzles that two players can work together effectively to solve. The gameplay itself offers enough innovative twists to vary from the tired platform genre.

Of course, the game is not without the standard clichés that appear in your average video game — especially in franchise titles. But The Simpsons has an easy remedy to make peace with that: make fun of each and every one of them by having you collect these clichés as you continue the game.

A rental period is enough to complete the game, which takes anywhere from 5-8 hours to get through depending on how quick you are–although collecting all the items and going for the full set of Xbox 360 Achievements will take considerably longer.

So in short, The Simpsons Game includes some innovative variety in the scope of a platform game, along with fun graphics style and hilarious plot and dialogue. This game may be under your radar this holiday season, especially against the likes of Guitar Hero III, Mass Effect and Assassin’s Creed–and similarly-popular titles on the Wii and PS3–but give this one a try if you get a chance.

Score: 85%