Now that the game has launched, I had a chance to sit down with the game and gather some of my initial impressions.
I should mention that I did not participate in the beta, and that I did not seek out any information about the game prior to its launch. Like most new players, I came into the game not knowing what to expect. So, what did I think of it?
First Thoughts
The introduction video was very well-done and really took advantage of the fact that this is a licensed game. For the first four minutes or so, it felt like watching a genuine episode of the show. On this front, they beat Tapped Out as far as scenes from the show are concerned. It would be nice to see more scenes like this in both games, though I know it gets a bit complicated, especially if the game is released internationally.
Once you get into the game, it seems that most of the characters are voiced. I did notice that Bonnie (Jennifer Tilly) is voiced, and I don’t think she is considered a regular cast member.
It seems you can view the whole map, but much of it is covered in smoke. There are however a few buildings you can see that are in ruins until you purchase the area and repair the damages. This is a cool concept and it is more fun than just buying multiple plots of empty space.
Game Play
This game is not a Tapped Out clone, at least in terms of game play. In concept, it definitely seems like they would be very similar, but once you start playing you quickly realize that it is more character and item centric. In some ways it feels like a MMORPG (Massive Multiplayer Online Role Playing Game) that requires you to collect and farm for various items to level up and unlock the next new quest. It’s a waiting game, and not a particularly fun one in my opinion.
A Suggestion for Improvement
One of the first things I noticed is how small the text is compared to Tapped Out, this makes playing the game on an iPod touch, or phone-sized device a bit more difficult. I was consciously aware that I had to bring the device closer to my eyes, or squint a bit to read the dialogue.
Final Thoughts
When push comes to shove, this isn’t a game that I can see myself investing much time in. While I do enjoy watching Family Guy, the game itself just isn’t my cup of tea. The structure of the game also makes it harder to create walkthroughs for, as the game play isn’t as linear as it is in Tapped Out. I’d like to create a database of information for the game like I did with Tapped Out, but that seems to be too daunting a task.
How do you feel about the game? Will you be playing it alongside Tapped Out, or is one virtual town based off of a Sunday night animated show on FOX enough for you? Leave your thoughts and impressions in the comments.
Family Guy Addicts 
I’m too having the timer issue. In terms of the piece written is this you signing out of the game feelingblind as it sounds like it doesn’t fit your gaming style or give you any passion to continue writing about it in the same way tsto does.
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I am in discussion with them of this issue as well. It is a known one. They will be tackling a fix for it next after Bruce and Chris’ Socks issue for iOS is resolved. Hang in there.
In the meantime, try to force close the app to see if that helps. They will get the kinks worked out. Just the standard new game glitches that all major games out there have ran into when first launched. They’ll get it fixed. 🙂
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I agree 100% with Bunny!!!!! It’s hard to read (even with cheater reading glasses), I don’t like the whole hunt/collect items along with waiting & you still may not get the item you need AND why the heck is Bonnie in the 1st set of characters….gimme Brian or Stewie!! I was excited for this game but it’s disappointing & I ill be uninstalling it. Die hard TSTO addict FOREVER!
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I’m loving it so far. tapped out is a waiting game just the same so that complaint makes no sense
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FG has you farm for items, which could take several hours and you might not even be successful. So then you have to keep running the same task, just hoping you’ll get the item you need to progress.
Tapped Out gives you more freedom, and you know what you’re getting into ahead of time.
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I am thoroughly enjoying the game ( though it seems as though I may be one in a hundred that is) granted the kick off glitches are a pain, but even launching a beta mode will not work out all bugs. For anyone not expecting a few glitches, maybe you should have waited a few weeks to even download. Sorry to be crass, but that’s the reality. Tinyco from what I have seen is working very hard to get things fixed for everyone and as far as I’m concerned, they have much better c.s. than other developers. I downloaded the game a huge F.G. fan and already expected that eventually I will spend $$, but I can say that as a freemium player right now I am having a blast!! Just hang in there folks, they will be fixing up the errors.
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Clearly your game is working fine i cant even log in
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All of you complaining about spending real money or clams to do tasks are completely wrong and misinformed. I have been playing for days since launch, I’m about to unlock Mort and I have not spent a single penny on anything in the game. You do not have to pay to progress, as many people are saying.
The “task” about buying clams is not a task, it’s an offer. Granted, it should not be in the Task menu, but it’s basically the same concept as Gil from Tapped Out. I think the icon should be changed to Al Harrington, since he’s a salesman, and he should be making the offer. I do understand the way it’s set up will cause a misunderstanding, but it’s nothing to be angry about.
Clams are only used to speed up time, or buy special items, or bypass collecting items in order to unlock stuff faster. When something says “Create Now!” or something like that, it’s giving you the opportunity to not collect stuff and just get everything unlocked. The task Peter has about getting placing a decoration from the Featured section, you do not have to spend Clams. I placed the “Welcome to Quahog” sign for $250 and the task was completed. The Clams are used exactly as Doughnuts are used in Tapped Out, so save them up! I have 20 already!
Another thing people have been upset about is adding random strangers on Facebook to have neighbors. Nobody is forcing you to do this. It’s the same concept for Tapped Out, it’s just designed differently. The only neighbors I have in Family Guy are my friends on FB, people I actually know, as I will not add strangers. I was very surprised to find several of my friends playing, especially those who I totally did not expect to be playing.
Please keep an open mind about this game, because it’s actually very good, and it seems a great deal of work was put in to it. And I’ve noticed this site is doing an excellent job of explaining everything, so please read what they have to say, because they know what they’re talking about.
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ridiculously expensive.. . i´ve already spend so many euros playing tsto and the servers are down again .. . and when i do enter my town there´s no more land to put decos/buildings which i payed xxx for .. .
same thing with this game. they don´t please the customers, they are greedy and somehow it feels like this business is unilateral.
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Not pleased. Was sooooopo excited for this game. But when one of your “tasks” is to spend money and buy clams, BULL$&@/ !!!! Shows how greedy creators are.
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Agree with the author and my peers above, this is something I’ll play from time to time during down time in TSTO, which in my opinion is the superior game. (Well maybe I’ll play this once they get the Bruce screen fixed that’s been annoying me for 23 hours and has me completely kicked out for past 15 hours)
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Meh. But… have to tap SOMETHING while waiting to visit my Tapped Out neighbors…
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Needing clams to complete tasks is no way to get people to stick with the game. Task timers are messed up and run much longer than stated time. Pay grade is the same for 1, 2, 3+hr tasks.
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