The Sims

"Just like real life! Isn't that boring? NO!"

The first time I heard about this game I thought: ''Controlling some characters to do things every person in this world does: Living in a house, eat, go to work, take a bath, go to sleep. How could this possibly be funny to play?'' That was BEFORE I've played this game. This game is really a lot of fun. I didn't know that controlling some characters that look like people could be this amusing.

Story: There isn't really a story in this game. The game has a ''Get A Life'' mode and a ''Play The Sims'' mode. In ''Get A Life'' mode, you'll have to complete some sort of missions to enhance to the next. That's the only story in the game. In ''Play The Sims'' mode you can play as many as you want, for how long you want and do whatever you want.

Graphics: 8 - The graphics in this game are a lot better than in the PC version and a little bit better than the PS2 version. But still the game isn't as beautiful as it could be. The only negative thing is you can't zoom in a lot, which makes small things hard to see when you have a small TV or when you're far away from your TV.

Sounds: 9 - Just like real life. The flushing of the toilet, the snoring of the sleeping people, the sound of bees flying above your rotten food. There are no real voices in the game, the only thing you'll hear your Sim say is gimmerish.

Controls: 9 - The controls are really well thought! You'll use the Control Stick to control the cursor, the C-Stick to control the camera and the Shoulder Buttons to control time. And of course, the A Button to choose something, the B Button to cancel things etc.

Gameplay: 10 - It plays like a dream! You feel like God when playing this game, because you can control what all the characters do. And if you just want to watch the Sims controlling their own lives, you can just choose ''Free Will'' and they will do everything themselves. Very handy if you need a toilet break yourself, and your sims can do exactly the same.

Multiplayer: 10 - Yeah, you heard it right: There is a multiplayer in this game. When you have 2 or more people in a house you can play with a friend to control them. The screen will split in two. You can both name your characters, communicate with each other, and do the things you regularly do. Play some pools together, watch TV together, swim together, you name it.

Buy/Rent: It depends on which type of games you like. If you like this kind of games, this will definitely not disappoint you. But when you're someone who likes other types of games, then it's better to rent it first. If you like it after all, you can always buy it then.

Final conclusion: 6 - This game is a lot of fun if you play it the first time, or the second, or the third. However, doing the same things over and over again will get boring. But before that time comes, it's a lot of fun to play God and control simulated human beings. Yes, this game is good. No, this game isn't great. You have to really like simulation games if you are going to enjoy this one a lot.

Reviewer's Score: 6/10, Originally Posted: 04/03/03, Updated 07/10/08

Game Release: The Sims (EU, 04/04/03)