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FAMILY GUY VIDEO GAME! (PS2)
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Publisher: 2K Games.
Developer: High Voltage Software. Released: October 2006. Genre: Action/Adventure. Other versions: XBOX, PSP. Posted 27th August 2020. By Shane Battams © 2020 |
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Among Fox’s repertoire of animated shows, Family Guy remains the most controversial. Crude, boundary pushing and even somewhat spiteful at times, Seth MacFarlane’s creation nevertheless remains a stable of television despite being cancelled twice. So a videogame tie-in was not a question of if it would happen, but when, and in 2006, High Voltage Games would deliver Family Guy Video Game! The game captures the raucous humour of the show, but the gameplay ranges from average to tedious.
A trio of interwoven storylines serve as the base for an outrageous tale. Stewie continues to feud with his long-time rival Bertram as he attempts to prevent his nemesis from taking over the world. Peter, after being crushed by a satellite destroyed by Stewie, then attempts to confront Mr. Belvedere after he disbelieves his family has been kidnapped. Lastly, household pet Brian is accused of impregnating Seabreeze (again), forcing him to prove his innocence while avoiding the judgmental glare everyone.
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Stewie's mind-control raygun can be used to possess the likes of Lois, Quagmire and Death
It must be said that for fans of the show, Family Guy Video Game! captures the essence of its source material really well. Though by no means a technical masterpiece, the cel-shaded visuals look a good mimic of the show’s style of animation. Characters transition to the 3D space really well, cut-scenes feel two clicks away from the real thing and the range of vibrant colours is pleasing. The audio is even closer, utilising a lot of the talent involved in the show. There is the occasional line recycled from the show, but it manages still to sound authentic. There’s a bevy of gags which, while sometimes bordering on offensive, will often have you grinning.
The gameplay, however, isn’t quite as fun. Each character brings a unique play style. Stewie probably boasts the best overall gameplay, mixing platforming with shooting. Loaded with a ray gun, you can lock-on to enemies with ease and blast ‘em. Along the way you’ll unlock multiple firing types by collecting screws. Jumping between platforms feels pretty graceful and you can achieve a bit of extra air with the glide function. There’s some clever shooting puzzles, forcing you to deflect shots in order to shoot out a laser box. In certain segments, you can also manipulate NPCs via a mind-control device, creating variety and some hilarious gags as you force Quagmire to scare away nurses.
The gameplay, however, isn’t quite as fun. Each character brings a unique play style. Stewie probably boasts the best overall gameplay, mixing platforming with shooting. Loaded with a ray gun, you can lock-on to enemies with ease and blast ‘em. Along the way you’ll unlock multiple firing types by collecting screws. Jumping between platforms feels pretty graceful and you can achieve a bit of extra air with the glide function. There’s some clever shooting puzzles, forcing you to deflect shots in order to shoot out a laser box. In certain segments, you can also manipulate NPCs via a mind-control device, creating variety and some hilarious gags as you force Quagmire to scare away nurses.
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It’s when you first take control of Peter that things decline. Taking the form of a roaming beat ‘em up, the main objective is to clobber everything, be it food mascots, native Americans working at a casino, or children and the elderly, utilising a punch, kick and combos mixing both moves. Peter can also eat food to charge a metre, which allows you to perform either a spinning move or powerful cloud attack. It sounds okay on paper, but it’s undone by some cheap enemies. Peter can’t block and some opponents deliver such a quick succession of attacks, you’ll drop significant chunks of health quickly. Mixing enemies with projectile shooters spells disaster, and unresponsive QTEs only cause further aggro.
The low point of the experience is Brian’s segments. Forcing you into a slew of stealth missions while requiring you to collect objects strewn about the level, Brian instantly fails the moment he is seen. This is as tedious as it sounds. You can utilise a myriad of tricks to avoid being spotted; hiding in the shadows, utilising disguises and hiding as inanimate objects. But the punishing trial-and-error gameplay is often clunky and cheap, as enemies detect despite the cover of shadows. A short-sighted camera often leads to your detection by off-screen enemies. Though the levels are varied, it feels like the gameplay never evolves, remaining tedious throughout, as you’re forced to repeat segments endlessly until you pass through undetected. It’s no fun at all.
The low point of the experience is Brian’s segments. Forcing you into a slew of stealth missions while requiring you to collect objects strewn about the level, Brian instantly fails the moment he is seen. This is as tedious as it sounds. You can utilise a myriad of tricks to avoid being spotted; hiding in the shadows, utilising disguises and hiding as inanimate objects. But the punishing trial-and-error gameplay is often clunky and cheap, as enemies detect despite the cover of shadows. A short-sighted camera often leads to your detection by off-screen enemies. Though the levels are varied, it feels like the gameplay never evolves, remaining tedious throughout, as you’re forced to repeat segments endlessly until you pass through undetected. It’s no fun at all.
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As you'd expect from a Family Guy game, each scene is littered with in-jokes and references to the show.
There are around 22 levels, bouncing back and forth between the different characters. Unfortunately there’s no level select, so you cannot cherry pick the best parts of the game for return visits. The only unlockable extra is the ability to replay the dozen or so mini-games which pop up throughout the game. Taking the form of non-sequiturs the show is renowned for, these little moments of humour are inoffensive, allowing you to earn bonuses such as an expanded food metre, further ray gun upgrades and temporary invisibility for Brian. They’re pretty small chunks of gameplay though, certainly not enough to extend its lifespan beyond a weekend.
Much like the show it’s based on, Family Guy Video Game! throws a glut of ideas into the pot in an attempt to shock, offend and entertain the player. While some parts of the game hit the mark – particularly the look and humour which capture the spirit of the show – much of this game isn’t a lot of fun. If you’re a fan of the animated sitcom, you may be able to forgive its flaws for some more time with the Griffin family. Otherwise, you’re better off sticking with the show.
Much like the show it’s based on, Family Guy Video Game! throws a glut of ideas into the pot in an attempt to shock, offend and entertain the player. While some parts of the game hit the mark – particularly the look and humour which capture the spirit of the show – much of this game isn’t a lot of fun. If you’re a fan of the animated sitcom, you may be able to forgive its flaws for some more time with the Griffin family. Otherwise, you’re better off sticking with the show.
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VERDICT
"Some of Family Guy, notably its look and humour, manages to capture the spirit of the series. However, frustrating stealth sections and a lack of fun mean you're probably better off sticking with the show." OVERALL: 5/10 |