Family Guy: Back to the Multiverse

Family Guy: Back to the Multiverse is a 2012 third-person shooter developed by Heavy Iron Studios and published by Activision, based on the animated television series Family Guy. Released for PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360, it draws on the show's recurring 'multiverse' concept to send Stewie and Brian Griffin hopping between bizarre alternate dimensions to thwart Stewie's deformed half-brother Bertram, who is plotting across realities. The game pairs the two characters in cooperative, run-and-gun action, with players switching between or teaming up as Stewie, armed with sci-fi gadgets, and Brian, using more conventional weaponry, across a series of themed levels packed with the franchise's irreverent humour, cutaway-style gags and guest appearances by the show's cast. It also included competitive multiplayer modes. Crucially, the game's writing involved the show's creative team, keeping the comic voice authentic for fans. Critical reception, however, was poor: reviewers found the shooting repetitive and dated, the level design uninspired and the technical quality lacking, judging it a routine licensed cash-in that coasted on brand recognition. It remains primarily of interest to dedicated Family Guy fans rather than as a standout in the shooter genre. It was among the last in a string of Family Guy games, none of which matched the show's enduring popularity.