Family Guy: Back to the Multiverse Review for PlayStation 3 (PS3)

Family Guy: Back to the Multiverse Box Art

System: PS3, Xbox 360*, PC
Dev: Heavy Iron Studios
Pub: Activision
Release: November 20, 2012
Players: 1-4
Screen Resolution: 480p-1080p	Blood, Mature Humor, Sexual Themes, Use of Drugs, Violence

The game also excels in the audio department. Having the show’s voice cast really helps the game out, and the music includes orchestral numbers reminiscent of the show’s many musical interludes. However, the sound effects for the enemies and environments are literally lifted directly from the show. While this is somewhat cool in the beginning, it gets incredibly boring and repetitive very quickly. In addition, the sound quality from these copy/pasted clips is nowhere near as good as the quality of the voices recorded specifically for the game. It gives the game a bit of a sloppy feel that just rubs me the wrong way.

Family Guy: Back to the Multiverse Screenshot

The game features both co-op and competitive multiplayer, but both of these feel like an afterthought. In co-op, one of you controls Brian and the other controls Stewie, but the game really doesn’t change more than that. Competitive multiplayer offers Family Guy variations on classic shooter modes like Death Match, Capture the Flag, and Horde Mode, but in offline mode only. In fact, there isn’t any online component to this game at all, which is an absolutely criminal offense in this day and age.

However, you can ignore everything that I have said in the past few paragraphs because it’s impossible to get past one simple fact: The game just isn’t funny. Even if you remove gameplay from the equation, the story amounts to a below-average episode of the show at very best. By passing this game up, even diehard Family Guy fans aren’t missing anything other than a few “Meg is ugly” jokes and a pirate remix of the knee-holding gag.

If you absolutely must experience everything with the Family Guy logo on it, rent the game with a couple buddies and play through the incredibly short single-player campaign in a few hours over some beers. Otherwise, I’d suggest purchasing a Family Guy DVD box set over this game for your Family Guy-obsessed friend or loved one this holiday season.

By
Angelo M. D’Argenio
Lead Contributor
Date: November 28, 2012

RATING OUT OF 5

RATING DESCRIPTION

3.0

Graphics
The graphics are probably the best part of the game, but they still miss the mark in terms of lip timing and facial expressions.

1.7

Control
The controls are really quite bad. There’s nothing fun about shooting enemies in this game.

3.0

Music / Sound FX / Voice Acting
The voice acting is competent, and the voice cast is great, but the re-used clips from past shows get very annoying.

1.5

Play Value
The game isn’t funny, and that’s inexcusable

1.9

Overall Rating - Avoid
Not an average. See Rating legend below for a final score breakdown.

Review Rating Legend
0.1 - 1.9 = Avoid	2.5 - 2.9 = Average	3.5 - 3.9 = Good	4.5 - 4.9 = Must Buy
2.0 - 2.4 = Poor	3.0 - 3.4 = Fair	4.0 - 4.4 = Great	5.0 = The Best

Game Features:

Bizarre Universes - Battle through all new demented universes that only the show's writers could create.

Extra-Dimensional Action - Face off against whacked out foes in Infiltration and Multiverse Madness Modes.

Create Epic Beatdowns - Switch between Brian and Stewie on the fly, or grab a friend and play in 2-player co-op mode to take down the enemies in the multiverse.

Familiar Faces - Take the reins of ten different characters plucked from the show and pit them against each other in four-person local multiplayer.

Weapons - Wield a variety of weapons in various parts of the multiverse.