The Simpsons Game (PlayStation 2, 2007)

Dooh!! Those damn camera angles [is what the tech debuggers should be saying].

As I love platform 3D games and the subtle and sometimes not so subtle irreverent humor of the Simpson's, I figured I couldn't go wrong with this purchase (especially at $5 for PS2 console platform; newegg has it for PS3 console at $12 with free shipping, which looks a little better in the graphics dept,- appearing to have more solid edges and textures to objects).

When I said I figured I couldn't go wrong, I figured wrong. To explain; from the start of play, the control is terrible, due to camera angle viewpoints control often not being able to correctly adjust, causing players to have to repeat what should have been a simple series of jumps,- over and over and over..... and over,.. did I say over again? Inexcusable failure to properly debug this problem before release to publication makes what should be lighthearted casual fun to be a frustrating experience that persists throughout gameplay. The options allow user changes of horizontal and vertical camera viewpoint control to be inverted (either one or both), which is helpful for most 3D platform games; however, due to the camera viewpoint control failing to allow players to correctly adjust view while making a series of jumps that any gamer with moderate skills should be ableto pull off on the first attempt,.. letalone the 5th,- it is difficult to enjoy the humor when you are getting pissed off!

This game has enough creative variety and humor to be fun, but the buggy problems that plague it throughout are not amusing,- so instead of 4-4.5 for its unique genre, it ends up getting a hard to award 3.5, and that is being generous. (Actually had to score either 3 or 4, usig eBay rating system, no half points).