Family Guy Video Game!

The Good:

The visuals represent a cel-shaded style as opposed to the show's animation style, which I find very attractive and rather cute. Family Guy humor just the way I like it, written by the actual TV show's writers! Fun third-person perspective gameplay!

The Bad:

The game tends to sometimes run into frustrating moments, like when getting Brian across a television studio, Peter having to fight the Knight or fighting Indians in an elevator and Stewie having to run past mine bombs inside Peter's body!

Intro:

After being revived from cancellation in 2005, 'Family Guy' made it's way back onto television! Meanwhile, 2K Games and High Voltage Software had just acquired the rights to publish a Family Guy video game for the PlayStation 2. The story is separated into three segments: Little Stewie's plans for world domination are abruptly stopped as Bertram, Stewie's evil twin brother, has plans for world domination as well! So Stewie has to take him out to stop him from interfering. Brian's side of the story show's him being accused of again violating Seabreeze, Carter Pewterschmit's Dog! Brian, being the good-natured dog he is, sets out to find the real culprit himself. Lastly, after Peter awakes from a coma (apparently from being hit by Stewie's satellite dish) he thinks that all the people in Quahog are evil henchman of an 80's sitcom guy by the name of Mr. Belvedere! So Peter fights his way from in and out of Quahog to find him.

Game play:

Surprisingly, this is only a bro's job for this adventure!

Peter's levels have a beat 'em up style, similar to Final Fight, Streets of Rage and Double Dragon. In Peter's levels, the player rampages across a section of town, attacking anyone and anything in his path. In addition, depending on the player's progression through the game, Peter will adopt a different persona as a result of head trauma, giving his attacks different animations but otherwise similar results. Peter's alter egos are Rufus Griffin, Hooker Peter and A.N.N.A. (Automaton Nuclear Neo-human Android), played in that order. Peter begins and ends the game as himself.

Stewie's levels resemble a shoot 'em up like Galaga or Space Invaders. Stewie uses his upgradeable laser gun and conveniently placed "sky hooks" to move through various stages.

Brian's levels have more in common with stealth games like Metal Gear Solid and Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell. Brian must avoid detection by those around him, and can adopt disguises to fool onlookers. A secondary element in Brian's levels is avoiding his natural urge to urinate on things. Should the player remain near certain objects for too long (potted plants, fire hydrants, etc.), Brian will be forced to pee on them, exposing himself to those around him.

There will also be cutaways in this game, similar to the trademark style of the show, but in the form of mini-games!

Graphics:

As I mentioned before, the game has a lovely cel-shaded style which is very attractive to look at! Characters look just like their television show counterparts and the same can be said about the game's environments.

Controls:

Left analog stick to move. X to jump. (For Peter) Square to punch. (For Brian) Square to crawl. (For Stewie) Square to shoot his ray gun. (For Stewie) O to use sky hooks. (For Peter) O to kick. (For Stewie only) L1 to automatically aim or R1 to manually aim.

Music:

On one half we have the show's composed music and the other half we have music that sounds similar to show 'Spongebob Squarepants'. No, this isn't a problem at all.

Lasting Appeal:

I love the show and I love this licensed game adaption! Family Guy Video Game is a must-own classic title for the PlayStation 2!

5 out of 5 stars.