Futurama

PlayStation 2 · 2003 · EU

SCi Games Uds

Publisher: SCi Games · Developer: Uds

Matt Groening's "other" animated series makes its video game debut as a third-person shooter that has players blasting their way across time in an effort to stop the entity known as Mom from taking over the universe. The game casts players in the role of Fry, Bender, Leela, or Dr. Zoidberg, with each character having his or her own distinct moves and weapons. In their quest to right a terrible wrong, players will run through futuristic New New York (in the year 3000), revisit "old" New York, confront Sun Priests in Sun City, attack swamp monsters and gators lurking in the Bogad Bayou, and zip across an asteroid belt to zap giant robotic monsters living in a junkyard of space relics. In addition to shooting enemies with their character's default weapon, players can perform basic moves such as jumping or climbing to reach new areas or to avoid potential hazards. Puzzle-solving aspects involve activating generators before using elevators on certain stages, and simply flipping the occasional switch or lever. Writers from the FOX television series created the game's story and dialogue, with design input offered by show creator Matt Groening himself. To maintain the vibrant yet simple look of the sci-fi series, the developers made use of a "toon-shading render engine" created specifically for the game. Actors from the original cast also provide the voice-overs for each of the main characters.