Graphics are fantastic. The Simpsons characters are very specifically 2D, and always looked weird thrust into the third dimension. But the cell shading technique used keeps a 2D look in a 3D space. The cut scenes are in fact cartoons, and it's surprising how well it transitions from the cartoons to the games. The animations are good, and the setting contains recognizable elements from the show as well as sight gags sprinkled throughout (loved the Maddening posters!).

All the voices are the genuine article, so that's nice, but as with all games of this type, the repetitive soundbites can get on your nerves after a while. I did enjoy the running commentary from Kent Brockman from his news copter as I sent Homer and Bart off against the crazed Lard Lad mascot statue terrorizing the city (or at least the construction site and surrounding buildings).

My problem came with the gameplay. In the game, the entire Simpsons clan will be playable, but the demo gives you only Bart and Homer. Bart can shoot his slingshot and glide (though apparently not very well) while Homer has a burp gas attack and can suck down helium to balloon up and float around. A giant Lard Lad statue is shooting laser beams and banging up the city, just like in the Halloween special from many years back, and it's up to you to stop it. There's lots of secrets and hidden items tucked away throughout the level, but with Lard Lad (and his animated wind-up killer Krusty dolls) are constantly on the attack it's hard to really explore. Mind you, health constantly regenerates, so it's not really that big of a deal to ignore the threat while you collect bottle caps and whatnot, but it was kind of annoying. To me, at least.

See, the thing is, I don't know if this is a boss battle at the end of a level, or an entire level in and of itself. Since all the characters from the show are supposed to be in it, I was kind of hoping to be able to explore Springfield at my own pace and interact with whoever or whatever I came across. You know, more like Hit & Run. Because if the whole game is going to be like this, it's going to be too frantic to enjoy all the little jokes that The Simpsons are known for! I'm afraid we may not be getting the Best. Game. Ever., but it looks like it'll still be pretty good. Just like the movie. Not terrible, but unable to live up to the hype. (Like anything could.)