get something straight: The Simpsons: Hit & Run is GTA with, well, the Simpsons, a licensed

property. Licensed games that try to emulate a very specific franchise or genre don't have

a really great track record, let alone Simpsons games before and since. So it's even more

remarkable that Hit & Run actually turns out to be a fairly enjoyable game, especially

for fans of the inhabitants of Springfield. Hit & Run may just be considered a GTA clone,

and that's because it kind of is. But really, it's a GTA clone disguised as a GTA parody;

a very convincing and ultimately fun parody. Hit & Run borrows many elements from the open

world hit, but the game is different beyond its coat of paint. First of all, Hit & Run

doesn't have much of an emphasis on combat. Oh sure, you can destroy cars, run over people,

and instigate police chases, but there aren't any guns or weapons to speak of, beyond each

playable character's feet. Missions mostly focus on racing, destroying, or tailing other

cars. In fact, almost every mission is timed, requiring you to find the fastest car for

the job. Outside of the main story missions, the game doesn't provide a whole lot of guided

things to do; that is to say, there aren't many side missions. There are races to compete

in, and Springfield citizens to help, but for the most part, the game places a focus

on collectibles. Coins can be accrued for spending on cars or costumes, but there are

also trading cards to be found and mysterious bee cameras to destroy. And all of this is

done in an incredible recreation of Springfield, in all its amalgamated glory.

The game is split into levels; each one puts a different character in your control and

part of Springfield. So the game's not a persistent open world, but it's clear to see that each

level, from Evergreen Terrace to the Springfield Waterfront, was painstakingly detailed and

pieced together from the show. And what would The Simpsons be without their giant cast of

supporting characters? Almost every recurring character appears in this game in some form;

only Sideshow Bob and Mel come to mind as prominently missing characters, and even then,

they're not that prominent. So the Simpsons writers did a good job of making Hit & Run

a loyal adaptation of the show because also yes the game was written by the actual Simpsons

writers. And the characters are voiced by the actual voice actors. That alone puts Hit

& Run quite a few notches above your typical licensed game, even if the initially charming

and funny jokes and one-liners become tired and annoying after being looped throughout

the game. And even if the original plot is strangely structured and inherently unfunny.

But the effort is appreciated! In the end, however, effort does not a good

game make. Thankfully, The Simpsons: Hit & Run is a good game regardless. Some of the nostalgia

and appreciation for the show might be nudging that inclination, but that's kind of the point

of the game. It's fully enjoyed with an understanding and fandom of the show's in-jokes, characters,

and setting, but that doesn't mean the game's not enjoyable all on its own. The missions

certainly become repetitive, but searching for collectibles and exploring Springfield

is interesting. And really, driving is just...fun. Now what Simpsons reference should I use to

close this review? D'oh is too obvious, but I can't just quote a specific episode, because

there's too much context surrounding that and I need a quick one-line and...