Family Guy has already hit the rocks once in its lifespan, when the enormously funny cartoon was cancelled by Fox TV. Fan demand and phenomenal DVD sales prompted a decision to commission more from Family Guy creator Seth MacFarlane, and the programme has gone from strength to strength since. We must admit that we were a little worried when we heard that Peter Griffin and co. were due for a videogame tie-in, and that it might be another blot in the copybook. We needn't have worried. Family Guy, the game, is almost as much fun as an all-night Griffin-themed marathon with a few like-minded friends and several drinks (mine's a Martini with an olive, like Brian's). Not quite as much fun as the real thing, of course (then again, what is?) but for fans, it's a real bonus.
There are three stories going on in the game, and each tale involves our favourite three Griffins: Peter the oafish patriarch; smooth-talking, Martini-swilling Brian, the family dog; and Stewie, the brilliantly diabolical baby with plans to take over the world. The action takes place in Quahog, Rhode Island which means that you'll interact with many of the other characters from the show, including Mayor Adam West, Quagmire and Joe Swanson. You get all the original voices from the series too; none of that Pacino-like "I can't do that voice anymore" that spoiled the Scarface game for some, no sir.
The individual storylines pit Stewie against his horrible half-brother Bertram in a battle for world domination. It's a case of who has the most (destructive) toys in this thread. Peter's section is a paranoid case of death by TV character, as he believes Mr Belvedere is out to get him. Naturally, Peter decides that he must be destroyed before he takes over the world. Brian's section doesn't involve some dastardly foe bent on world domination. On the surface, it's a rather heartbreaking tale of puppy-related parental problems. In reality, and in common with the other story threads, it's just an excuse for more of the satirical pops at pop culture we've come to expect from Family Guy. It's also another opportunity for Stewie to verbally abuse everyone within earshot, for Brian to slurp a few more drinks, and for Peter to alternately lose his temper over nothing and laugh annoyingly at things that just aren't funny. It's a game in a niche market, but this particular niche is getting bigger all the time because of Family Guy's reputation as The Simpsons to the power of ten. As Peter Griffin himself would say, "Freakin' sweet!"