MySims ****

Collected together, the Sim titles from the past two decades make for one of the most flexible brands in gaming's short history. From the somber starting point that was the original SimCity through to the tongue-in-cheek charm of insect farming release SimAnt, via theme park development and hospital management games, the series has constantly proved its ability to adapt.

MySims, a colourful Nintendorisation of the urban cool of the Sims games. Gone are the well proportioned city-dwellers and their tragically hip lives, as they step aside to be replaced by wide-eyed, lollipop-headed 'pre-teen' adults loose in a saccharine world. The premise remains very much the same though. Rather than governing a community by controlling the infrastructure of a city as you would have in the days of SimCity, you dictate its success by influencing the interactions of the people.

As you explore the town, various tasks such as decorating desolate flower beds or looking for hidden objects will fall into your lap, meaning you will have to chat using actual conversation with established residents like the major and policeman, and spend your cash purchasing needed objects.

Despite a smattering of personality and charm, it is a real shame that a game that teeters so precariously on being irresistible is in fact a little empty and repetitive. The notion of saving a failing town filled with deserving characters is an alluring one indeed, and each time you snap your DS shut you do feel a pang of guilt, but every day spent with MySims just feels very similar. Talking to residents and being at their beck and call can grow tiresome, and the plodding pace and empty game world does little to help the game's cause.

There is a nice model of progression in place that links your popularity with certain townsfolk to new options related to their employment, and the tool to design and rearrange the room you sleep and live in is in equal parts simple and involving. The interface as a whole works brilliantly, though it must be remembered that this is a game aimed at youngsters.

MySims does look great, and has an overall level of craftsmanship that is only tarnished by a slight lack of originality. The musical score is also well produced, but will feel terribly familiar to Harvest Moon fans and players familiar with cute gaming worlds in general.

If you are a huge Sims fan, this simple 'town in your pocket' might hold some worth for you, but if you are looking for something with a little more depth then it is probably best to opt for the more ambitious Wii version. A great game for children!

Uh

Okay.

Thanks for the info. but I think this is actually a review and should be in the review section of the game.

Thanks for the info. but I think this is actually a review and should be in the review section of the game.

bernieberry

I don't think GameSpot allows you to post reader reviews until you reach a certain level.

I think you can post it on GameFAQs though. You can log in with the same e-mail address and password as you do on GameSpot.

[QUOTE="bernieberry"]

Thanks for the info. but I think this is actually a review and should be in the review section of the game.

LordAndrew

I don't think GameSpot allows you to post reader reviews until you reach a certain level.

I think you can post it on GameFAQs though. You can log in with the same e-mail address and password as you do on GameSpot.

Actually, I think you can post reviews.... o_o

Obviously, the horrid nature of the game compelled the TC to write this lengthy post about the general suckiness of the Sims. I have to tell you, all Sim games make me fall asleep while playing. And this isn't 2 in the morning falling asleep; I play CS at 2 and nothing happens, still hyped. I play the Sims in the afternoon and I still fall asleep. Just my two cents...Tungsten88

Did you actually read the review? I think he gave it four stars.