The Simpsons saga is the epitome of overused and misused license. Whether Ocean, Acclaim or more recently THQ, Activision, Electronic Arts or Fox Interactive, the findings were rather disappointing. And yet, we had to wait for Vivendi Universal Games and Radical Entertainment to take care of the Simpsons problem to create the event. This little jewel of realization is called The Simpsons : Hit & Run.It will have been necessary to wipe some failures! From the catch game to the platform game via The Simpsons Skateboarding or Escape From Camp Deadly. Radical Entertainment was inspired by the success of GTA: Vice City to recreate the world of The Simpsons down to the smallest detail by offering freedom, challenges and diversity. The Simpsons : Hit & Run will satisfy fans of the series and others.
Tommy Vercetti, Homer Simpson: same fight?
One might think so, given that Radical Entertainment was inspired by Rockstar's controversial game. But in The Simpsons : Hit & Run, we are far from political incorrectness, gratuitous violence, sexual excesses and other sectarian behavior. Nor is it a game where everything is rosy. We will find the trashy spirit of the series which denounces American society, because behind the game's scenario we find the authors of the series and the excellent Matt Groening. The scenario of The Simpsons : Hit & Run is very mysterious in order to keep as many surprises as possible throughout the game. And like an episode, we will follow the different stories of each protagonist. Springfield is plagued by mysterious phenomena that are worrying the population. Who or what is at the origin of the sudden appearance of bees equipped with cameras, of vans spying on everything done and gestures, of repeated disappearances? Homer, Bart, Lisa, Marge and Apu will have to discover the pot-aux-roses.
The Simpsons: Episode 1-5
Depending on the character you will play, you will have access to different parts of the city, different vehicles and you will meet different neighbors. During the first steps in the game with Homer, you will find yourself in the suburbs of Springfield with its residences with pink houses and its unmissable nuclear power plant. With Bart, you will zone downtown and for example with Lisa, it will be Springfield at dusk. The game is broken down into several missions directly related to the story or simple bonus missions. There is something for every taste. From the search for objects in limited time to the car race, through the destruction of vehicles, we take real pleasure in advancing in the story because the challenge can prove to be full-bodied depending on our decisions. The success of a successful mission lies 90% in the choice of vehicle. There are about fifteen different cars with specific behaviors. Better to avoid taking the plow when racing over several laps, for lack of speed, you will inevitably find yourself behind. However, this machine will be particularly useful to destroy the Rolls of Smiters. Only, we do not necessarily find the right vehicle at the right time. Either you have to be patient while walking around Springfield or you have to put your hand in your pocket and buy your vehicle thanks to the parts scattered around the city. To do this, some characters will help you financially or in exchange for services. But what happiness for fans of the series to drive in the car of Malibu Stacy, in the Jeep of the grandfather Simpson or quite simply in the family car. So before starting a mission, choose the right car.
What makes the success of GTA, True Crime and other The Getaway is the freedom of action. And The Simpsons : Hit & Run is no exception to the rule. You can take any vehicle, but unlike Vercetti's mores, you are the passenger when the car is not yours. Roll on the asphalt, the sidewalk or on the lawns, you are free of your actions. As for pedestrians, do not worry about their health because, despite the shocks, they get back on their feet in less than two. And even if you go after them with kicks! But beware ! There is the flip side. To do anything you attract the wrath of the police. And therefore by knocking down passers-by, destroying trees, benches or windows, your Hit & Run gauge increases. Once full, you have the police on your heels. To avoid paying the fine, sow them. Whether on a mission or on a walk, the agents do you no favors.
To be continued…
In addition to the fifty missions that lead to the outcome of the story, The Simpsons : Hit & Run has many bonuses. Already with regard to the purchase or gain of cars, there is work. On the one hand, you have to be economical and keep as many coins as possible. But also you have to show dexterity when it comes to winning 3 races in order to unlock a bonus vehicle. You will have understood that the coins are also used for something else. In some places like the college or the Kwik-E-Mart, you can buy costumes for your characters. Homer in underpants, Lisa as a rapper or Bart in a mafia suit, it's pure happiness! You don't stop there and Radical Entertainment has hidden collectible cards in Springfield. A collection that is reminiscent of the search for drug packets in GTA. As soon as the 49 cards are in your possession, the mega-bonus of the game is yours. You will also have to think about destroying all the bee-cameras, discovering all the interactive objects in order to unlock all the mini-games. Bonus for the solo mode but also for the four-player multiplayer mode.
From TV to console
This was above all the point to be worked on to prevent The Simpsons : Hit & Run ends up in the skeptical pit of misused licensed games. Springfield has been wonderfully recreated and whether you're an avid fan of the show or have seen a few episodes, you recognize the place. Visiting Moe's bar, the Simpsons' house or Skinner's high school is a godsend for any self-respecting fan. The whole being obviously colored as much as possible. And to immerse us even more in this playful episode, we are entitled to the official voices of the series. Through the dialogues or the impromptu interventions of Homer at the wheel, we find the crazy humor and we sometimes burst out laughing, all alone, the pad in hand. I wouldn't hide from you that the game has a few flaws, but all of this is minimal compared to the work of Radical Entertainment. We will regret a few crappy cameras on foot or in the car, a music that is a tad disappointing but which has the merit of changing according to the characters. And we will quickly forget the few display bugs to admire the visual realization.
Like what, even what we thought acquired can change! Finally a game stamped The Simpsons honoring the series! Radical Entertainment and VU Games have produced a surprising game for us which, despite a style inspired by Vice City, has stood out for its atmosphere and its own universe. Even if the game is not free from faults, we will retain only the best like the full dubbing in French with the voices of the series, a scenario worthy of an episode, a perfect digitization of Springfield and obviously the inimitable humor from the Serie. Despite the endless stream of excellent quality hits at this time of year, it would be a shame to miss out on The Simpsons : Hit & Run. Take time. Try it. You won't be disappointed.
