Video Game Reviews
Title: The Sims
Review rating: **** (PC), ***1/2 (game systems)
Platform/console: PC, GameCube, Playstation2, Xbox
Release date: February 2000 (PC), January 2003 (PS2) / March
2003 (GameCube, Xbox)
Genre: Simulation
Players allowed: 1 (PC) or 2 players plus multiple network
players in the on-line modes
ESRB rating: T (comic mischief, sexual themes, mild violence)
Production company: Electronic Arts
PC: The best selling PC game of all time! Need more? OK. You
have so much freedom for creativity, planning, control and
manipulation producing an infinite amount of scenarios that
produce astronomical replay value. Players can choose to meet
the Sims needs or neglect them and cause sometime irreversible
results such as death of the Sim. There’s no profanity
since the dialogue is all jargon, but the tone is there. The
game also pixilates Sims when they’re using the bathroom,
changing clothes or taking a shower/bath.
Factors you monitor to keep your Sim happy include body, charisma,
creativity, repair, logic, social and, most importantly, bladder.
You also have the power to control each Sims move or let them
conduct themselves as they see fit. The learning curve is
relatively small (you spend a lot of time building and designing
houses), but if you’re already hooked on this free flowing
simulation world, you already know any time you spend should
fulfill just about anyone’s entertainment needs. An
essential title!
Game systems: The Sims game franchise takes it to the next
level by allowing other players to become Sims themselves
in a free flowing environment full of entertaining and intriguing
elements. You even get a “backup bench” with the
ability to create a maximum of three Sims. This element brings
such a personal touch while perhaps echoing your real life
characteristics. Maybe you create yourself, then your ideal
self, plus a fantasy version of yourself. You can test all
of them in the real time environments and see which one has
the most success. This suggestion represents one of the many
roads you can take down an infinite set of possibilities.
Freedom does come at a price. First, the hardware for using
the on-line capabilities, plus the subscription price. The
Sims also has game modes for players who don’t have
their networks yet (you’ll definitely want on-line capabilities
eventually to experience the full potential of the game).
Second, disrespectful people who choose to offend others.
On the flip side, people will definitely use this platform
to irritate and offend others just because they can, from
a place not easily tracked. Luckily the game keeps the offensive
options limited, which is still a bit unsettling, so keep
this theme in mind while on-line – it’s only a
game, it’s only a projection of you.
Also, gamers used to the PC options and gameplay may have
a bit of a learning curve when adapting the changed layout.
Don’t worry; you get support with the “Get a Life”
mode which teaches you the newer elements. This minor task
is definitely worth the results. A highly recommended game
for all audiences complimented by an extremely high replay
value and overall appeal. Don’t be surprised how fast
time flies by as you play.
Review by Michael Siebenaler
© Electronic Arts
®
