Strange depth

Since the TV show is done with traditional 2D cell animation, it’s a little unsettling at first to see the Simpsons in full-3D as it is in Hit & Run. We should be used to it by now with the last few Simpsons games being in 3D, but it’s still a little strange. Aside from having to adjust to visual depth, the graphics are very pleasing. There aren’t any special lighting, water, etc., effects to be found, but the digital Springfield created is exactly what you would have imagined the 3D space to look like.

Marge likes open-top SUV's

Apu's dark Kwik-e-Mart

While you won’t be hearing sound bites from whack DJ’s or listening to glam-rock from the 80s, the sound candy in this game comes from the voices of the characters. Each major Simpsons character spouts hilarious lines found in the show plus completely new ones recorded just for the game.

To keep things fresh, the Hit & Run is split up into seven distinct sections, each one changing characters. Homer, Bart, Marge, Lisa, and Apu will all get time behind the wheel, with Homer and Bart playing two sections making a total of seven.

Lisa, Otto & the comic book guy

Hard to caption

The developers and writers behind Hit & Run are striving to make this a truly entertaining game for Simpsons fans. And from what we’ve seen and played so far, it looks extremely promising. The Simpsons Hit & Run is set to ship sometime next month on PlayStation 2, Xbox, and GameCube.