The Simpsons have an extended and storied historical past of videogame tie-ins. The present’s large reputation within the early 90s with each younger and grownup audiences lent itself properly to mass merchandising. The sequence of tie-in video games began sturdy with the Simpsons arcade sport, which was created and distributed by Konami in 1991, however issues went downhill from there. For about ten years we had low-quality titles like Bart vs The House Mutants or The Simpsons Wrestling. Issues got here to considerably of a head with The Simpsons: Highway Rage, a stable Loopy Taxi clone, however one which was so comparable it prompted a lawsuit from Sega that was in the end settled out of courtroom.
Highway Rage was developed by Vancouver-based Radical Leisure, who had initially constructed the sport in a completely fledged open atmosphere, however because of the issue of growing video games within the early days of the PS2’s lifespan, adjustments needed to be made late in improvement as a way to ship the sport on time. Hit and Run was initially the sequel to Highway Rage, with extra of a deal with open-world traversal and permitting gamers to discover areas synonymous with the present. Whereas a lawsuit with Sega pended over Highway Rage, developer Radical opted to make Hit and Run extra of a GTA-style open-world sport.
Hit and Run options 5 playable characters, the 4 essential Simpsons members of the family: Homer, Bart, Lisa and Marge, in addition to Apu. Whereas the sport does function open sections the place the participant can get out of their automobile, work together with objects and speak to totally voiced characters, nearly all of the sport is spent driving. The missions within the sport are intelligent for a sport so centered round driving. Races are within the sport, however fortunately most of them are locked to elective racing challenges, which means the sport isn’t flooded with them regardless of being centered round driving. Different missions contain driving round destroying different automobiles, getting to a different location inside a sure time restrict, gathering objects round an atmosphere, or tailing a personality’s automobile.
Regardless of how enjoyable most of the missions are, the sport’s missions don’t actually break free from these 4 classes. Enhancing mission selection was one thing being labored on for a possible sequel that by no means got here. The sport additionally has essentially the most ridiculous issue curve I’ve ever seen in a online game. The in-game timer allots you the naked minimal period of time wanted to finish the problem listed, after which expands that timer the extra makes an attempt you want. It’s an actual testomony to this sport that even with these issues, it comes out the opposite finish no worse for put on. The quantity of affection and a focus to element Radical put into the title actually reveals.
Hit and Run had a degree of interactivity and love put into it that different licensed video games simply by no means have. The core driving mechanics really feel so satisfying, with a light-and-breezy arcade really feel that naturally buids out from Highway Rage. Each automobile feels distinct from each other, and meaningfully alters the best way you strategy sure missions. Bigger automobiles can get aggressive throughout destruction missions, however with lighter vehicles you must be extra cautious of your automobile’s situation to keep away from getting too broken and having to scramble for a alternative. The open world additionally has quite a few floating buying and selling playing cards to trace down, every of which options one thing from the present that may be seen at any time in the primary menu.
Sadly, regardless of the sport’s essential and monetary success, a sequel went into improvement however was by no means signed off on from Fox Interactive or Gracie Movies. Radical’s writer Vivendi determined to not renew the licensing settlement with Fox, citing the cash it might have price them to proceed with the license. In 2005, Fox agreed to a licensing cope with EA, ensuing within the Simpsons Sport, a tie-in with the present’s theatrical movie two years later. In 2007, Vivendi merged with Activision, all however ending any probability the unique Hit and Run group had of getting a sequel.
Within the years since, followers have been ready in useless for a remaster of the unique sport or perhaps a continuation of some type. Many mods have come because of this demand, essentially the most well-known of which is ‘Donut Mod,’ a very new marketing campaign for the sport containing new characters, automobiles and even collectibles. Hit and Run’s legacy is one which tells the story of licensed video games of that period.
Not all hope is misplaced for Hit and Run, nevertheless. Simply take a look at Spongebob Squarepants: Battle for Bikini Backside. It got here out across the identical time as Hit and Run in late 2003. After years of dormancy (and followers clamoring for a remaster), Spongebob: Battle for Bikini Backside Rehydrated lastly launched in 2020.’ Whereas that sport has its personal issues, it reveals that it’s by no means too late for a beloved sport based mostly on an animated present to make a comeback.
The factor is that the Spongebob remaster got here out to sync with the discharge of the 2020 Spongebob film, Sponge on the Run. The place Spongebob is an ongoing phenomenon, The Simpsons is unquestionably in its twilight years at this level. If The Simpsons will get one other massive resurgence sooner or later nevertheless, you’d hope {that a} Hit and Run remaster received’t be far behind.
