The Simpsons: Hit & Run

"The goggles....they work this time!"

I'm a lean, mean, speed thingy!
Simpson's games have seemed to be cursed. Every single one of them, to put it lightly, sucked. Being a big fan of the show I bought this game anyway. To my surprise, it was fun

The game plays like Grand Theft Auto. It's mission based, although you can explore the large levels whenever you want. Instead of stealing cars like in GTA, you borrow them. You can even be chased by the police if you cause enough damage to the town, but your only punishment is a measly 50 coin fine. There's also a set of cars that you can keep. You retrieve them by selecting the car you want in a phone booth. If you want, there is the option to hop out of your car, although usually there isn't much to do on ground.

The missions themselves are fairly repetitive. After the first or second level you basically do the same things over and over. For example, each level usually has one mission where you need to destroy a car by ramming into it. Another type has you collecting a certain amount of objects within a time limit. If this were a serious game, it would be a pain in the ass. But this is a Simpson's game, so no matter what kind of annoying mission you get, you will be encouraged to complete it just to see the next funny scene.

The graphics, although much better than last year's Road Rage, still aren't too great. This game was meant to be cel-shaded. The models of the characters look awkward in 3D. Like every other review has stated, it is like the episode where Homer goes into a 3D world.

One thing that sets this game apart from GTA is the voice acting. It is superb. The voices and writing are done by the actual cast of the show, and it shows. Unlike Road Rage, the character's lines are rarely repetitive, probably because there are so many of them. I've had this game for about a month, and I still hear new jokes while driving.

The drivers jokes aren't the only thing that will make you crack up. The levels themselves are packed with gags and references to the show. One example is Apu's ''silent alarm'', which is isn't so silent. This boosts the replay value tremendously.

Pros: - Hilarious dialogue.
- Great level designs.

Cons: - Missions a tad repetitive.
- Characters look awful in 3D

Final Verdict- If you're a Simpson's fan, buy it. People who aren't into the show should rent it first.

Reviewer's Score: 7/10, Originally Posted: 11/09/03