Futurama

The Futurama video game, released in 2003 for the PlayStation 2 and Xbox, occupies a unique and cherished place in the franchise's history. It arrived during a period of uncertainty for the show, after its initial cancellation by Fox but before its eventual revival. For fans, it was not merely a licensed tie-in but a precious piece of new, official content, often affectionately referred to as the "lost episode." This reputation is well-earned, as the game's greatest strength lies not in its interactive elements, but in its faithful and hilarious continuation of the show's universe, complete with the original writers and the entire principal voice cast. At its core, the game is a 3D action-platformer. The narrative, which is presented through beautifully cel-shaded cutscenes that perfectly mimic the show's art style, is its main draw. The plot feels like it was lifted directly from a script for the series: after Professor Farnsworth sells Planet Express to the evil corporate overlord Mom, she acquires over fifty percent of Earth's ownership, making her the planet's supreme ruler. She enslaves humanity and plots to use Earth as a giant warship. It falls to the bumbling Planet Express crew—Fry, Leela, and Bender—to travel across the galaxy, from the sewers of New New York to the Sun itself, to find a way to stop her. The writing is sharp, filled with the same satirical wit, obscure scientific references, and character-driven humor that defined the television show. The cutscenes, when stitched together, genuinely form a coherent, 22-minute episode that stands alongside the best of the original run. The gameplay itself attempts to capture the varied skills of the main characters by dividing levels among them. Fry's sections are primarily third-person shooters, where he wields an assortment of ray guns against various enemies. Leela's levels are focused on melee combat and platforming, showcasing her martial arts prowess. Bender's segments are the most platform-heavy, utilizing his robotic abilities to navigate hazardous environments and solve simple puzzles. A fourth character, Dr. Zoidberg, even makes a brief, playable appearance in a quirky, side-scrolling mini-game. This variety in gameplay styles was an ambitious attempt to give each character their moment to shine. However, it is in the execution of these gameplay mechanics that the game falters. While serviceable, the controls often feel imprecise and clunky, a common ailment of 3D platformers from that era. The camera can be particularly frustrating, frequently getting caught on the environment or failing to provide a clear view of the action, leading to missed jumps and unfair deaths. The combat, for both Fry and Leela, quickly becomes repetitive, lacking the depth to remain engaging throughout the game's length. The difficulty can also be punishingly inconsistent, with sudden spikes that feel more like a product of flawed design than a fair challenge. Ultimately, the Futurama video game is a product of two conflicting identities. On one hand, it is a brilliant piece of Futurama media, a loving tribute that successfully captures the soul of the series. The humor, the voice acting, and the story are all impeccable. On the other hand, it is a mediocre video game, hampered by technical shortcomings and repetitive design. For dedicated fans of the show, it remains an essential experience, a chance to enjoy a new adventure with beloved characters. For those less invested in the source material, the flaws in its gameplay are much harder to overlook. Its legacy, therefore, is not as a classic of its gaming generation, but as a cherished artifact for a devoted fanbase, a time capsule that preserved the show's magic when its future was most in doubt.