Perhaps I should have started it with; when the Sims 2 graced the PC world, I was jealous. Yeah, that is better. :D *ahem* Anyways…I mean my PC can barely hold itself up. I bought it in a moment of desperation. See, I’m normally a Mac user and before I start hearing all that PC propaganda, I will say that I am one of those people who see a need for both. My aging G4 Mac is primarily my work computer. I’m comfortable with it and it works for me so I don’t need to hear, “why don’t you just buy a PC since they are yabba yabba, blah blah blah.”
I’m a freelance web and graphic designer. That isn’t my choice career mind you; I sort of fell into it. Well, rather I am falling back into it since I went through a hiatus of sorts, but that is another story for another incredibly boring blog entry. Anyhow, my field is accessible and web standards compliant design, thus I needed a computer that would let me test websites on various browsers. Now this was before services like Browser Cam existed, so a cheap, bottom of the line PC was my only option. Now this PC isn’t that bad. I mean it can play a few games, but nothing really substantial like the Sims 2.
Now, I’m a Sims fan and when I heard a sequel was in the works I was overjoyed, yet disappointed. I play the original Sims and all the expansion packs on my G4, but there was no way a game like that would run on either of my systems. I’m not at the point in my life where I can rush out and purchase a new computer. Hey, I wish I could and believe me if my budget allowed for such a purchase I would be at the Apple or Voodoo PC store so fast my head would spin and probably fall off. However, this wasn’t going to happen so storm clouds followed me as tortured myself with screenshots and gameplay movies. Yeah!
Right when I was about to murder my PC and plant a suicide note in order to throw off the investigation, I glanced over at my Xbox and saw my dust ridden copy of Sims: Bustin’ Out! Yes, the storm clouds parted as I realized that the Sims 2, with all its addictive quirks and crap, was going to grace the console world! Oh what a day! OH, WHAT A GLORIOUS GAME WORLD!
My excitement grew as I chatted with other people who were also waiting for a chance to finally play the Sims 2. Perhaps it was the fact that we were naïve or maybe it was that we had such high hopes. I mean we all were in the same boat really and we all wanted to get our hands on the game. Then the announcement came that everything that made the Sims 2 such an addictive success on the PC and Mac, would be erased in the console version. The ability to create a family, have children, and have that family grow and die forming a legacy would be gone. Come again?
Now, perhaps this was the fact that they couldn’t fit all the content into the game. Sure, I understand that, but you can’t take the essence out of something, repackage it, and try to sell it again. It is hard to get a game like the Sims 2 on the consoles; that transition doesn’t always want to work out. So, why even attempt it then? If you are loosing the entertainment value of the game, then why not wait until the Xbox 360 or better yet create a new Sims themed game like Urbz, but good! :P
So, today Gamespot’s Andrew Park published his review of the Sims 2 for the PS2 and Xbox. Not surprisingly it was stamped it with a fair, 6.5 ranking. The highlight of the review, that sums up the faults of this Sims 2 version, was,
“The Sims 2 featured a genetics system that let you create long family trees with aliens from outer space, many new objects to collect, expanded house- and lot-building options, more-focused "aspiration" gameplay, and most importantly, better-developed artificial intelligence, leading to even more of the series' well-known and surprising character behavior. The Sims 2 for consoles has only some of these features, and it attempts to swap in a marginally interesting new cooking recipe system in exchange for the fascinating, advanced AI of its PC cousin. What's left is a game that's long on collecting and unlocking objects and short on truly compelling gameplay.”Andrew
So, the disappointment is there, but also the understanding that Maxis will bounce back; they always do. I am hoping that the next-gen consoles will spark a bit of creativity and thus perhaps the true Sims 2 will finally make the transition well.
I can look on the bright side. The day will come when a brand new G5 will be taking up delicious space on my desk and before the PC fan boys feel the need to chime in, don’t; I’ve already explained my point of view. With a new G5 I will be able to do many a splendid thing, including playing a bit of Sims 2. Muahahahahaha.