The Simpsons Game (for all systems)

[Brent L]

I know that this is technically really old news, but I'd like to see what all of you here at DVDTalk think about these games. I did a search and couldn't find a thread just for these games, so here we go.

http://www.ea.com/gts/

Click here (http://uk.gamespot.com/video/939419/6174196/videoplayerpop?rgroup=e32007_videos) and watch a trailer really quick.

Here is a video of the DS version:

http://gametrailers.com/player/21983.html

And here is a video of the 360 version:

http://www.gamespot.com/video/939416/6174544/videoplayerpop?rgroup=e32007_videos

I think they both look awesome, and I want them now. Self-aware Simpsons? A pet Homer? I'm so totally in.

And while I'm talking about The Simpsons, I'll once again say that I wish that they'd release the old arcade game to XBLA. :)

[MasterofDVD]

They really pulled together an amazing game so far. I'm sure the only problem I will have with it is that it'll end up being far too short and I'll crave more when it is all said and done.

[grim_tales]

That actually looks really good. Self aware Simpsons? The Land of Chocolate? :thumbsup:

Oooo chocolate.. half price :D

[Groucho]

I like the "Paper Mario" style graphics over more recent games' 3d look.

[The Bus]

Looks nice.

[mmconhea]

hit and run was a great game. Can't wait for a new one... Glad the franchise is getting some game respect for a change.

[DthRdrX]

LOL at Homer's Bill Paxton ... Game over Man! Game Over!!

[DRG]

Wow, I love the look of this. I enjoyed Hit & Run but had a few problems with it. This one looks to have taken the best elements of that game and improved on everything else. I hope I'm right.

[MWB]

And while I'm talking about The Simpsons, I'll once again say that I wish that they'd release the old arcade game to XBLA. :)

I thought for sure they'd release it when the movie came out, just like they did with TMNT. Maybe the rights issues are more complicated with The Simpsons or something, I don't know.

This new game looks good, though. :thumbsup:

[uncle-frank]

wow, this game actually looks pretty sweet. considering the rule of thumb when it comes to movies being made inot games i think this one will definitly be a game to rent or buy.

i cant wait to explore springfeild

[Bluelitespecial]

I really enjoyed Simpsons Road Rage , and Hit and Run so I bet it will probably be fairly good.

[aktick]

Looks fun, and I agree with Groucho, I like how they did the graphics. From that gameplay video, the one thing that concerns me is the camera - it looks like it could be easy to jump or fall of a building in the wrong direction.

[Rob V]

I'll definitely pick this up. It looks like a ton of fun. Is there any online play?

[Green Smurf]

I have loved all the Simpsons games and cant wait to get this one.

[CreatureX]

The game looks fantastic on all the systems. I'm glad they went the 2d sidescroller route with the DS version. Those are some of the best graphics seen on the DS. :)

[SterlingBen]

Simpsons Arcade Game as Unlockable :fc:

[shumway]

I would figure that would be nigh on impossible as the arcade game was made by Konami and this game is being distributed by EA.

[Jtnguyen12]

Simpsons Arcade Game as Unlockable :fc:

I'll pickup this game 1st release if they include Simpsons Arcade version in the game. :)

[CaptStormy]

Love they said coming for every platform ever made! (Amiga, Commodore Vic-20)
Simpsons Rule!

[rfduncan]

I think I peed myself a little - NOW summer can end!!!!!!!! :D

[PixyJunket]

I would figure that would be nigh on impossible as the arcade game was made by Konami and this game is being distributed by EA.Ubisoft and Konami struck a deal to get TMNT on XBLA so you never know..

[Dean Kousoulas]

Simpsons Arcade Game as Unlockable :fc:

That'll be a purchase on day 1.

[fumanstan]

Average reviews on this from EGM, with just 7, 6.5, and 7 ratings.

[GatorDeb]

Chalk me in for the DS version :D

[nickdawgy]

My stepdad is still getting it. In the next few weeks alone, he is getting this, Ratatouille, Call of Duty 4, Assassins Creed, Uncharted Drakes Fortune, Lego Star Wars the Complete Saga and Timeshift.

He just picked up Ratchet and Clank as well. He goes in spurts or games. He'll play the Simpsons game for a few days, then shelf it when Call of Duty 4 comes out. Then move on to the next game, and the next, etc.

He did this with Harry Potter, Warhawk, Full Auto 2, Virtua Tennis, Tiger Woods 08, NBA Live 08, and a few others.

[bunkaroo]

I played the download demo on my PS3, and it was pretty hard, although I am not a hardcore gamer and I am still getting used to dual stick.

Graphics and sound were great. Definitely getting this.

[Rob V]

The controls in the 360 demo were ass. I want to get this game, but running, turning and aiming just sucked. If the final release is better, I might pick this up on the cheap.

[orangecrush]

I have loved all the Simpsons games and cant wait to get this one.
Really? Most the NES and GB games were REALLY bad. If you were refering the the arcade game, road rage and hit and run, I agree.

[PixyJunket]

^ The first level on Bart vs. The Space Mutants was excellent.. the rest of the game.. poo.

I don't care about the EA game, but here's hoping that the Konami arcade game makes it to XBLA to tie-in.

[jonw9]

The controls in the 360 demo were ass. I want to get this game, but running, turning and aiming just sucked. If the final release is better, I might pick this up on the cheap.


That is how I felt. I was never able to shoot Bart's grappling hook, and then quit. :(

[slop101]

Apparently, Rock* are being little whiny bitches about the "Grand Theft Scratchy" portion of the game:
http://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=16026

[Jtnguyen12]

Classic arcade version is must have :)

[nickdawgy]

PS3 Review from IGN:

8.5 Presentation
The game holds true to the license and does an excellent job of poking fun at itself every chance it gets.
7.5 Graphics
The FMV cinematics are awesome but the in-game cutscenes are lacking, and the gameplay visuals don’t look as good in HD as they should. Animations are solid.
9.5 Sound
Hilarious voice acting that stays fresh coupled with faithful music come together to create one of the best aural experiences of the year.
7.5 Gameplay
The single-player game is a lot of fun but it’s short. The co-op campaign is just as short, but much less fun.
6.0 Lasting Appeal
An under eight-hour game is supplemented by shoddy co-op gameplay and ultimately useless item collection.
7.7
Good OVERALL
(out of 10 / not an average)

[boredsilly]

I was going to rent this, but the demo turned me off too. The controls just felt off for me.

Apparently, Rock* are being little whiny bitches about the "Grand Theft Scratchy" portion of the game:
http://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=16026

I think that is comical, considering how liberally Vice City and San Andreas borrowed from Boyz in the Hood and Scareface/Miami Vice.

[Wick]

I'm surprised by the decent reviews the PS3/360 versions are getting. So, I'll probably rent the 360 one sometime in the near future.

[dick_grayson]

^ The first level on Bart vs. The Space Mutants was excellent.. the rest of the game.. poo.

I don't care about the EA game, but here's hoping that the Konami arcade game makes it to XBLA to tie-in.


In all my attempts, I couldnever make it past the first level of Bart vs. The Space Mutants. It haunts me to this very day.

[fumanstan]

I remember beating Bart vs the Space Mutants way back when.

I didn't care for the demo of this so it'll be a pass for me. Unfortunate :(

[Draven]

I really enjoyed the demo on my 360 - I couldn't get over how 3D-but-looks-2D the graphics were. Really felt like I was "playing the cartoon."

This is a definite rental at least, when I get my 360 back anyway.

[actyper]

That is how I felt. I was never able to shoot Bart's grappling hook, and then quit. :(

I loved everything from the demo except the controls were a bit annoying. Looks like a used purchase for me.

[Drexl]

I really enjoyed the demo on my 360 - I couldn't get over how 3D-but-looks-2D the graphics were. Really felt like I was "playing the cartoon."

It's about time they used cel-shading in a 3D Simpsons game. The previous games just looked odd without it. Cel-shading is hit or miss for me, but in this case it's definitely needed.

[Peter Skerritt]

I got The Simpsons Game for both the Wii and DS platforms today, but I've only been playing through the DS version so far.

The DS game is essentially a cooperative platform game; that means that even when playing solo, you control two characters. Control between the two characters changes when you hit a switch. Each character has his (or her) own special abilities. Homer inflates into a ball, Bart has a grappling hook and can float to extend jumping distance. Lisa uses the Hand of Buddha to manipulate object on-screen (even herself at times). Marge rallies friends to her side.

The game looks all right. There are actually a few spots of slowdown in the game, which makes no sense to me... but other than that, the game does a credible job of depicting Springfield well. The sound is probably the game's biggest asset, with new lines recorded by the actual cast.

The biggest hook here for gaming fans is that The Simpsons Game unabashedly picks on video gaming, as a whole. Grand Theft Scratchy made it in after all, plus there are nods to Super Mario Bros., Street Fighter II, Frogger, and more. Some of the inside jokes are pretty damned funny.

The biggest complaint about the game so far is that there's a lot of trial-and-error to be had here. There aren't always indicators of where to go or what to do to advance, so I've spent time just kind of racking my brain and guessing what to do next. These aren't really even puzzle sequences, and brain strain in a platformer isn't always a welcome thing.

I've made a good deal of progress today already, and will try to have my review up by Friday... and I hope to spend some time with the Wii version soon, as well.

Happy Halloween, all!

[nickdawgy]

I got the 360 version, and it's awesome. Loved hearing the They Might Be Giants reference :lol:

[Wick]

It's available at Future Shop, here in Southern Ontario. Hopefully Blockbuster has it as well. I might try there, to see if I can get a rental copy, because it doesn't seem like it's worth the $60 price tag. (I'll get it for the 360 because it sounds like it's on par with the PS3 version and it has achievements. I doubt the Wii version is as good.)

[Eric D.]

I have the 360 version and it's fun so far. My only problem is the camera. It really gets in the way at times and makes me fall off stuff and die.

[jonw9]

I just saw a commercial for the game.

It was very funny to me to see Bart playing the game, and then saying it is rated "T for Teen"

:lol:

[uncle-frank]

this games actually pretty fun. i dunno if im going to buy it tho

[discostu1337]

really good/fun simpsons game but all the item collecting feels useless and tacked on. I may skip that part :)

[Peter Skerritt]

really good/fun simpsons game but all the item collecting feels useless and tacked on. I may skip that part :)

The icon collecting is used to unlock trophies that are references to the show and is purely optional. For the Nintendo DS version, the icon rewards are not really worth backtracking through the game's later stages for.

I played all the way through the DS game yesterday and wrote up the review last night. The Wii version is next, but the camera is already very problematic in that version-- and I'm just through the first (tutorial) episode. Uh-oh.

[cerial442]

I think I'm going to wait for the price to drop on this.

[Wick]

I rented it and, after playing for about two and a half hours (I beat the first two levels and spent the rest of my time collecting things in Springfield,) I'm at 12% completion.
It's definitely a short game, but I'm enjoying it.

[dvdhook]

I've been playing the Wii version for last couple of hours - the horrible camera is making it a very tedious experience. I seem to be spending more effort trying to control the camera than actually playing the game. Very disappointing.

[Peter Skerritt]

I've been playing the Wii version for last couple of hours - the horrible camera is making it a very tedious experience. I seem to be spending more effort trying to control the camera than actually playing the game. Very disappointing.

That's one of the game's biggest problems. Surprisingly, the console version is also even more ambiguous than its portable counterpart-- at least you get objectives, but there's not always any direction as to how to accomplish it.

The platforming sequences are less than accurate, too. Lots of do-overs.

[Suprmallet]

I got this on 360, and the problems aren't overwhelming. The humor is great, though.

[Wick]

I'm going to try to beat it during my rental and I'll attempt to get as many collectibles and achievements as I can. But, I'll probably end up picking it up down the road, when it's cheap, to get the others. I like it and wouldn't mind owning it, but it's not worth $70 to me.

[lotsofdvds]

I have the 360 version. I love the visuals and the humor, but geez, help a gamer out here game. The second stage (Bartman Begins) took me 40+ minutes last night because there were so many moments of "I just don't know what I'm supposed to be doing here". The game doesn't tell you much of anything.

[Peter Skerritt]

I have the 360 version. I love the visuals and the humor, but geez, help a gamer out here game. The second stage (Bartman Begins) took me 40+ minutes last night because there were so many moments of "I just don't know what I'm supposed to be doing here". The game doesn't tell you much of anything.

That, right there, is why The Simpsons Game fails. Too much trial and error makes for a frustrating experience.

[CKMorpheus]

Played the first two levels on the 360... finding the humor very entertaining, but the gameplay is pretty sub-standard... Nothing special. And that freakin camera!

[nickdawgy]

The camera does indeed suck, but I love the game. It's fun to spot all the past episodes and pop culture references.