"Family Guy" is in rerun limbo until autumn, but fans eager to return to the world of the Griffin gang can live out a new adventure as patriarch Peter, diabolical baby Stewie and cultured canine Brian in the "Family Guy" video game.
The game plays out like any episode of the show as Peter, Stewie and Brian each embark on their own erratic quest in the family's home of Quahog, R.I. Peter is convinced Mr. Belvedere is threatening the welfare of the town, Stewie is vying for world domination with his genetic duplicate, Bertram, and Brian plots to clear his name of impregnating a prize greyhound.
Along the way, the show's characteristic non-sequitur jokes -- which usually take the form of "This is worse than the time I _____," followed by a flashback -- are realized as mini-games. For instance, the "Sexy Party" mini-game entails maneuvering Stewie onto a star in order for him to dance with a bevy of bikini-clad women.
The plot is equally absurd and disjointed, but those who enjoy the show won't expect a dramatic story.
While the game developers succeed in endowing the game with the comedic essence of the show, they come up short with the actual gameplay.
Peter, Stewie and Brian each require skills in a different realm of action-adventure play to proceed through their respective stories. Peter must punch and kick his way through the streets of Quahog in a combat-oriented style, Stewie's mission has more platforming-hopping and projectile fighting, and stealth is the best chance Brian has of succeeding in his story.
The diversity of styles can sustain some interest in the gameplay, but several portions still wear thin quickly. Both Peter's brawls with the town citizenry and Brian's sneaking through makeshift mazes of police desks become quite redundant after a few minutes. Stewie's segments of the game are a little more lively, but even his laser gun fights with nurses and belly-sliding through liposuction waste have limited appeal.
The graphic presentation of the game is a somewhat brighter spot. The Griffins appear just a bit rougher around the edges than their TV counterparts, but Quahog is otherwise presented to the gamer in all its Technicolor glory.
The entire "Family Guy" cast -- including Adam Carolla as Death and Mila Kunis as Meg -- also contributed their voices to the game. The authenticity may not be as crucial to other games based on TV or movie characters, but in "Family Guy," the comedy lives or dies by the presence of the show's cast -- particularly series creator Seth McFarlane, who provides the voices of all three protagonists.
"Family Guy" is littered with inside jokes that will probably be lost on players unfamiliar with the show. Other standalone gags could be perceived in bad taste by anyone not accustomed to the show's brand of both irreverent and irrelevant humor. And even for gamers who can handle the comedy, "Family Guy" does not have much else.
Staff writer David Wilcox reviews video games for The Citizen. He can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 245 or david.wilcox@lee.net
Along the way, the show's characteristic non-sequitur jokes -- which usually take the form of "This is worse than the time I _____," followed by a flashback -- are realized as mini-games. For instance, the "Sexy Party" mini-game entails maneuvering Stewie onto a star in order for him to dance with a bevy of bikini-clad women.
The plot is equally absurd and disjointed, but those who enjoy the show won't expect a dramatic story.
While the game developers succeed in endowing the game with the comedic essence of the show, they come up short with the actual gameplay.
Peter, Stewie and Brian each require skills in a different realm of action-adventure play to proceed through their respective stories. Peter must punch and kick his way through the streets of Quahog in a combat-oriented style, Stewie's mission has more platforming-hopping and projectile fighting, and stealth is the best chance Brian has of succeeding in his story.
The diversity of styles can sustain some interest in the gameplay, but several portions still wear thin quickly. Both Peter's brawls with the town citizenry and Brian's sneaking through makeshift mazes of police desks become quite redundant after a few minutes. Stewie's segments of the game are a little more lively, but even his laser gun fights with nurses and belly-sliding through liposuction waste have limited appeal.
The graphic presentation of the game is a somewhat brighter spot. The Griffins appear just a bit rougher around the edges than their TV counterparts, but Quahog is otherwise presented to the gamer in all its Technicolor glory.
The entire "Family Guy" cast -- including Adam Carolla as Death and Mila Kunis as Meg -- also contributed their voices to the game. The authenticity may not be as crucial to other games based on TV or movie characters, but in "Family Guy," the comedy lives or dies by the presence of the show's cast -- particularly series creator Seth McFarlane, who provides the voices of all three protagonists.
"Family Guy" is littered with inside jokes that will probably be lost on players unfamiliar with the show. Other standalone gags could be perceived in bad taste by anyone not accustomed to the show's brand of both irreverent and irrelevant humor. And even for gamers who can handle the comedy, "Family Guy" does not have much else.
Staff writer David Wilcox reviews video games for The Citizen. He can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 245 or david.wilcox@lee.net
