Strange things are happening in Springfield. People are missing, very mysterious crop circles are appearing and hidden cameras are being exposed. When Homer notices a black van with a satellite dish parked outside the Simpsons home, he decides to investigate further into these odd events. What he reveals could be the biggest mystery to rock Springfield since "Who Shot Mr. Burns"? Control Homer, Bart, Marge, Lisa and Apu among others in this comedic mission-based driving adventure. While exploring familiar locations such as the Kwik E Mart, the Springfield Power Plant and Moe's Tavern - in car and on-foot, the characters will reveal the aliens, Kang and Kodos who are plotting something devious for the unwitting inhabitants of Springfield.

The Simpsons is an animated TV series that has graced our TV screens for 14 years now but is yet to deliver a killer game. With titles such as The Simpsons Road Rage (Crazy Taxi meets the Simpsons) Simpsons Skateboarding, The Simpsons Wrestling to name but a few. None have managed to match the popularity of the TV series. Well all that is possibly about to change with the welcome arrival of The Simpsons Hit & Run. The Simpsons Hit & Run is the latest in the line of Simpsons titles playing to popular formulas. This time the formula is that of the Grand Theft Auto series and features all the thrills, spills and humor of the popular TV series.

Throughout the game you will assume the role of all your favorite Simpsons characters including Homer, Bart, Lisa, Marge and Apu. Each of the playable characters play out their role in the game in their own locale in Springfield. You take on various missions and mini missions. The mini missions can either be ignored or completed at your choice and include challenges such as collecting collector cards, street races and destroying the Robotic Buzzing Bees who sport cameras strapped to their backs and have mysteriously appeared scattered around Springfield. Each of the family members story is tied together by the overall major plot line of the game but is individual to each of the characters. As you progress through the game the mystery is revealed and all becomes clear.

How you play the game is completely up to you. The different areas of Springfield open up to each of the characters. Becoming ripe for exploration either by foot or by car. You can explore collecting coins or participating in various missions, challenges and races. Also you can earn or buy various vehicles and even simply borrow one of the citizens of Springfield’s cars at will. When driving you have 2 meters to keep your eye on. Firstly is the vehicle condition. If the condition of the vehicle meter fills up it will result in you being ejected from the vehicle prior to the vehicle exploding. Secondly is the hit and run meter. If you collide with too many citizens, vehicles or just about anything around Springfield your hit and run meter will increase. Fill it up and the cops will give chase, great fun but nothing to be gained. If you get busted it will cost you 50 coins.

Graphics:
Graphically the Simpsons Hit & Run is effectively pleasing to the eye. Each of the characters look just like those in the TV series and the animation is excellent. Springfield is recreated beautifully and accurately rendered with no signs throughout the game of popup or any other graphical mishaps. Although on occasion some slow down was noticed but nothing too major and certainly nothing to take away from the overall excellence of the graphics and game play.

Sound:
The sound as with the graphics is excellent and recreates the Simpsons theme throughout. The voice over of each of the characters is recreated (and possibly one of the developers wisest moves) by the talents of both the series voice acting cast and its crack writing team. Thus keeping the humor and making the overall experience a very Simpson’s one indeed. Everything from the cut scenes to the babblings of the Springfield residents are created from the TV series team and just add that little something extra overall.

Longevity:
Overall the game will not present too much of a challenge early on but as you progress through the missions becomes harder and naturally will take longer to accomplish. The game is made up of 49 main missions along with over 200 mini missions or challenges. If you spend the time with each of your playable characters exploring the wonders of Springfield finding all the hidden collector cards finding and destroying the Bees and all the various other mini challenges, the games longevity is extended considerably. If you choose not to complete the mini missions and opt simply to play through the main story’s missions you could find the games lifespan short lived without much necessity to replay through

Round Up:
Overall The Simpsons Hit & Run is without a doubt simply the best use of the Simpsons license of any game to date. The game plays and looks superb although at times does suffer with very slight camera issues and some rarely seen slowdown. The game is excellent and certainly a welcome addition to most xbox owners games collections. At the very least I recommend that you hire and try this game.