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Ask anybody if they know what The Sims is (I mean anybody: gamers, moms, sisters, etc.), and the likely answer will be yes. This is because The Sims has single-handedlyd up PC gaming to more people than any one game ever has. For some reason, Will Wright's amazing vision has created hordes and hordes of real life Sims. However, this success has not translated well onto home consoles or portables. The home console versions are average at best and the handhelds have been everything but worth playing. But, the newest handheld installment (The Sims 2) for Nintendo's DS is a much more polished, more customizable game than previously seen.
The game centres around one sim, which happens to be you. In the beginning of the game, you create your Sim avatar by choosing various hair styles, clothes and other various oddities. Then, you are thrown into a desert town with nothing but a broken car and a bunch of people who can only seem to say basic words ("eh, hey" seems to be one of the more popular phrases in town). You are also given the task of renovating an old hotel, whose manager has just walked out on. Throughout the game you meet new people, acquire various guests (including mob bosses, movie stars, etc.) and new areas and rooms in your hotel. The biggest draw for the DS version is the fact that nearly everything you do is done with the touch screen. But more on that later.
When it comes to graphics, the Sims 2 on PC is quite a looker, especially on higher end systems. On the DS, the 3D graphics are there, but they are quite blocky and jagged. However, the game doesn't really suffer from any problems, as it runs smoothly with absolutely zero slow down, whatsoever. While I'm sure the DS has seen better graphics in its days, this is by no means a bad looking game. Since The Sims usually deals with people, it is only fitting to focus on the character models. The models are nice looking, but can be blocky, like the rest of the game. However, the characters do have nice details, from a feather in the mob bosses' hat, to sparks flying out of an alien jet pack (yes, there are aliens!). The character models are also varied when it comes to main characters, so monotony is never really an issue. This varied main character comes from the customization at the beginning of the game, in which you choose everything from gender to underwear. Weird? Yes. Nice touch? Who doesn't love to choose their P.J.'s?!
The game may be good looking, but the sound doesn't quite follow in its footsteps. The music is rather bland, and the voices are incredibly unvaried and uninspired. But, on a handheld, you can't really expect too much. There is also a music creator in the game, however I didn't really mess with it much, as I can't make music if it was as easy as walking (Walking isn't easy when your drunk - Ed). Overall, sound isn't bad, but isn't really good either. But, like I said, it is a handheld. And we'll give it the benefit of the doubt.
The central gameplay revolves around, as mentioned, running a successful hotel. This entails booking guests, building rooms and even keeping the power on (by collecting nuclear rods. When they said 'sim', they weren't kidding). This is all done by using the touch screen. Everything from interactions with guests, to using items is done via the touch screen. This is easily one of the most touch screen-heavy games, which is nice to see after previous, less innovative titles. The touch screen gameplay also works incredibly well, and is tight and responsive. It really is the best way to play The Sims short of a mouse and keyboard. Other controls are the basic running, which, I hope, I don't need to go into detail about. Overall, this series feels like it was originally designed for the DS and not the PC. Everything about it works, and works well.
The Sims is just one of those games that most people can't help but like. This version follows suit. From the customization of your own character (that really feels like your own) to the running of your own hotel, this game feels like it is yours. That is the main point, why The Sims 2 is worth playing, along with the heavy emphasis on the touch screen.
So, if you are down on non-innovative games for your DS, give The Sims 2 a try. Just remember not to leave your hotel guests unhappy! |
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| Platform: |
Nintendo DS |
| Publisher: |
Maxis |
| Developer: |
EA |
| Origin: |
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| UK release: |
04 November 2005 |
| PEGI (UK): |
3+ |
| ESRB (US): |
E |
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| Genre: |
Simulation |
| Players: |
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| Multiplayer: |
Not Available |
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