| Game Reviews From a Parental Perspective! | |
|
|
|
| Home | Forums | Review Archive | Columns | Feature Articles |
|
Home >
Review Archive >
Video Games
> Results: Family Guy
Format For Printing | Tell A Friend | Digg | Slashdot | del.icio.us | Buy This Game Scroll down for our Kid Factor. 
The ESRB Found:
Mature Humor: Sex jokes, Blasphemy, ... just like the show really. Partial Nudity: Peter Griffen's big fat butt makes an appearence and Lois is seen briefly nude (no naughty bits are shown). Violence: Cartoon violence essentially, but like the show, it can be quite shocking how far they'll go for a slapstick laugh. Fans of Fox's animated comedy, "Family Guy," are probably aware of what put the once-cancelled television show back on the air again ﾖ after all, it was because of them. After selling a record-breaking 5 million copies of the two "Family Guy" box sets, for the first time in entertainment history a cancelled TV show was resurrected based on DVD sales. And now the risqué comedy about a dysfunctional family, which airs Sunday nights at 9pm Eastern, is offering fans a chance interact with the Griffins with the first "Family Guy" video game, now available for the PlayStation 2, Xbox and PlayStation Portable. While this action-adventure hybrid is about as funny as the television show ﾖ mainly because the same writers and actors were involved in the project, including creator and producer, Seth MacFarlane ﾖ the game itself is merely an average experience. In "Family Guy," players can take control over three key characters from the show: Peter, the obese and impulsive father; Brian, the classy talking dog with a penchant for martinis; and Stewie, a diabolical baby bent on world domination. Following a freak accident causing trauma to his head, Peter is convinced ﾑ80s TV character, Mr. Belvedere, wants to take over the world so he vows to stop him in his path. Brian is framed for impregnating Seabreeze, the prized racing dog owned by Peter's wealthy father-in-law, Carter Pewterschmidt. Finally, Stewie must follow his half-brother, Bertram, to thwart his malevolent plans, by shrinking down and entering Peter's body (you don't want to know where exactly). The three stories are interconnected in some way, but the game-play varies depending on whom you're in control of: Peter's scenes are brawling matches reminiscent of old arcade fighting games (except for Peter's Snack Meter you need to fill up by eating food dropped by his enemies!); Brian is all about stealth as he must carefully sneak around the town of Quahog to clear his name and avoid prison time; and Stewie's sequences are "platformer" style, which requires jumping, collecting items, solving puzzles and using his upgradeable ray gun on enemies. The problem with "Family Guy" is that none of the three kinds of game styles are done exceptionally well. For example, Stewie's platformer levels can be difficult to control when performing the double-jump or floating maneuver (where balloons appear out of Stewie's back), while Peter's fighting scenes grow repetitive after a while (despite the fact he can execute new attacks when his snack meter fills up). The game isn't bad, but what stops fans of "Family Guy" from turning it off is the clever writing, familiar voice talent and lovable characters (including Glen Quagmire, Cleveland Brown and even the evil monkey living in Chris' closet). Some scenes are downright hilarious ﾖ that is, if you find the risqué television show funny. Needless-to-say, the "Family Guy" video game is rated "Mature" mainly due to its crude humor. Expect many off-color jokes related to sex, religion, race, disabilities and toilet humor. As a bonus for fans of the show, the game offers a few "non sequitor" flashback sequences that are playable as mini-games, plus you can access DVD-like bonus content from the game's main menu. While it's an average game, "Family Guy" is worth the ride for fans of the television show, but others should avoid this title like Peter avoids hard work and quality family time.  
This game is somehow cruder, cheaper, and stupider than the TV show (of which, I'm actually a fan). Sex jokes, homosexuality jokes, blasphemy, jokes about the handicapped, pedophilia and more. The show is satire and the game carries on that tradition, admittedly nowhere near as well as the show itself. Do you let your kids watch the show? Well, what they see there is more offensive then what they'll see here so that's a perfect litmus test.
Platforms PS2, Xbox: Reviewed here. PSP: Longer load times but essentially the same game. Kid Factor by Andrew Bub This review edited by Andrew Bub Comments? Chat about it in our forums! Format For Printing | Tell A Friend | Digg | Slashdot | del.icio.us | Buy This Game Home > Review Archive > Video Games > Results: Family Guy |
Read the GamerDad 2007 Holiday Guide!
|
Please Note: GamerDad is not intended to be read by anyone under 18. We stay clean, but be warned! Content Management System developed by Redbird Solutions. |
