If we said that The Simpsons is a little like Grand Theft Auto, would you know what we meant? Need help? Take away all the 'mature' elements of Rockstar's game, relocate it to Springfield and turn Tommy Vercetti into Homer. Then water down the missions. Get rid of the radio stations and replace with The Simpsons' intermission music. Got a game in your head now? Well, it's probably better if it stays in your head. Imagining The Simpsons: Hit & Run is far better than playing it!

Faced with the unenviable prospect of trying to videogameify the multi-layered animation sitcom legend, Radical has conceded to the men in suits and gone for a safe(ish) option. We don't blame them. It's a darn sight more sensible than skateboarding or car racing. The resulting game is playable, expansive and better than any other Simpsons title to have gone before it. But it still isn't funny.

And making a man like Homer unfunny is almost blasphemy. Somehow though, via the medium of videogame, his lines (and those of the other characters too) don't work. It's like watching your favourite comedian have a heart attack on stage. It's deeply upsetting. We're not even sure it's the fault of the game's developer. Seeing a shiny, bulbous-headed 3D Homer badly lip-synching a stilted line about donuts or Duff Beer will probably never work. In 2D, The Simpsons' humour is incredibly rich - using sight gags, facial expressions, satire, pop culture references and movie homage. You just can't do that with a videogame.

Some will argue that the GTA-inspired driving/walking missions set in and around famous Simpsons locations are far from offensive. True, it's glitchy and frustrating at times (cars fall into scenery, AI vehicles visibly cheat in races, the camera is positioned badly in interior locations, collision detection is inconsistent). But you can't deny that it 'works'.

You could theoretically enjoy yourself for a good number of hours playing through missions, unlocking new vehicles, doing the virtual tour of the Springfield environs, meeting Chief Wiggum and Bumblebee Man. But with nil humour and only a vague attempt at irony (the videogame/violence debate is frequently touched on - yawn) it's a soulless experience. A bit like pornography without the nudity.

As true Simpsons geeks, we'd also argue a free-roaming Springfield isn't a good thing. Certain things are best left to the imagination. Especially when you find the interior of the Power Plant is made up of a series of unnecessary lifts and platforms, populated by cloned workers bouncing off walls and scenery. It spoils your mental image somewhat.

In isolation, the core game of The Simpsons: Hit & Run would score a six. But considering the wealth of content, depth of characters on offer and writing talent at Gracie Films you've got to knock off at least a point for ineffective use of the source material. After all, Bart wouldn't play Hit & Run.

Graphics 70%
Far from awful but The Simpsons in 3D weirds us out.

Sound 80%
Alf Clausen does the biz, and there's real voices too.

Gameplay 60%
Formulaic and familiar, a babied-up GTA.

Lifespan 60%
Not short, but remember: Simpsons episodes are short

Overall 50%
Fans will be upset at the severe lack of humour. Others will find it an inoffensively bland GTA makeover.