Game Over explores the intriguing concept of what happens to the video game characters after the console is turned off.
As a network, UPN took chances in their programming to try and stand out, but some efforts looked a lot more like chasing trends, so it was no surprise that they’d want to take advantage of the rising popularity video games were seeing at the time. Instead of just talking about the games industry or upcoming products, however, why not do an animated sitcom with cutting-edge graphics and some adult humor? But that’s the type of thinking that gives audiences forgotten shows like Game Over.
There’s Ripley “Rip” Smashenburn , the handsome father who drives racecars when he isn’t struggling to connect with his children or worried about how his wife makes more money than him and is actually effective at her job. It seems Rip’s charm is greater than his driving ability, as he’s constantly crashing on the track and with his family, but at least he’s trying.
Most elements of the characters are solid. It’s hard to put any of the blame on the voice actors, as they are all playing their roles to the letter. Warburton is the standout, with Liu also shining in many scenes, and some of Lange’s deliveries killing it, but that doesn’t mean it was working. Turbo is probably part of the problem. Sometimes I wonder if the material just isn’t funny or if it’s him, and that’s a tough call because, again, I don’t mean Lange, but the character.