Introduction:The Simpsons: Hit & Run puts you into the role of Homer and his family as they attempt to uncover a sinister plot that threatens to destroy Springfield as we know it.

The Game:First there was Grand Theft Auto 1 and 2, then there was GTA 3 and GTA: Vice City….now there’s Simpsons: H&R. Ok. Maybe it’s not appropriate to put H&R in the same category as GTA, but there are definitely more than just a few similarities. Racing against the clock to complete a task, smashing up someone’s vehicle to prevent him or her from reaching his or her destination, finding hidden packages throughout the city, eluding the police…the list could go on and on. The only major difference would lie in the simple fact that this game is based on a hit cartoon and was not designed to give a feel of realism; no heads are blown off, drugs aren’t smuggled, people aren’t seriously injured, cheating wives aren’t assassinated and prostitutes aren’t taxied to their Johns. Where GTA has murder, H&R has comedy. Where GTA has drugs, H&R has comedy. Get the point? Simpsons: Hit and Run is a happy game. The major force driving you from mission to mission is the desire for more one-liners and laughs, not bloodshed. By this point in the review I’m sure I’ve lost a few people and I’m sure that a few are thinking to themselves “sounds like a stupid game”. Well, it’s not. If you’ve ever been a Simpsons fan, you’ll love this game. The vehicle control is responsive, camera control is decent, the city is superbly designed, the missions are addicting and the storyline is funny as hell.

Onto the game’s darkside…the stuff that sucked. Playing the game on foot is extremely boring without flamethrowers, machine guns, baseball bats, chainsaws and sniper rifles. You can only beat on someone so many times before becoming extremely bored. Even the dialogue is boring while on foot. Radical Entertainment might have improved the game by making it more like Driver…less walking than GTA. Another thing that I found quite annoying about H&R is the fact that Vivendi Universal appears to have remained true to their reputation (releasing games before they’ve had a chance to be polished). A lot of petty/annoying bugs.

If you’re looking for a more in-depth review of Simpsons: Hit and Run, just read any GTA3 review.

Graphics & Sound:The graphics in H&R are probably the best Simpsons graphics I’ve ever seen. While the graphics are far from perfect, they are probably as close as we are likely to see for any console currently on the market. After all, the Simpsons are 2D characters and were not designed to be reproduced in 3D. Kudos to Radical Entertainment for a job well done.

The sound in H&R is awesome. Radical Entertainment really hit the mark in this department. The comments from the NPC’s are great (exactly what you’d expect to hear in a place like Springfield), the voice acting is bang on, the music is well placed and perfectly suited to each occasion and the sound effects are superb.

Innovation:Innovation is easily H&R’s weakest department. While the game is great fun and is a high mark for Simpsons gaming, there is a little bit too much borrowed content from other hit games. Where H&R does gain innovative points would in their ability to manipulate ideas and designs from other games and execute them in a game with an entirely different atmosphere.

Mojo:“Party like its on sale for $19.99” Apu is a comedic genius. I just loved playing as this guy. For me, he was probably the highlight of the game (although the other characters were also a load of fun to play, even Marge).

Lowdown:Well, I think I’m gonna go ahead and give this game a final rating of 8, but don’t let that fool you. Don’t run out and buy this one unless you’re a hardcore Simpsons fan. Rent it first. If you still love it after 3 days, then buy it.

Gameplay: 8, Graphics/Sound: 8, Innovation: 6, Mojo: 8. Final: 8