The Sims

"Warning: More addicting than crack!"

The Sims for the PlayStation2 is a remake on a game previously created for the PC. It's made by the same amazing minds that made all the SimCity titles and the Tycoon titles. Of course... you knew all that, I'm sure. If you didn't then I would say you have just crawled out from under a very large rock.
This game doesnt disappoint. Fans from the original Sims to all the new people looking to try this game out will love it. I admit, I played it first and was disgusted. I said to myself, ''This game just isnt as big as the first,'' as I searched through the options to create my first sim. Upon playing, though, I came to love this game even more than I liked the one on the computer.

Graphics: 9/10, The graphics on this game are great. There are a ton of different faces for the sim you create and you unlock more as you play through the Get A Life mode. These graphics are not utterly spectacular like that of other recent releases, but they definitely hold their own.

Sound: 10/10, Heh... The sound on this game is.... unique. You wont hear stuff like this on any other game. The incoherant babbling of the sims is enough to make you chuckle while you play. Some of the things they say sounds remotely english, but other things are impossible to understand. Other sound effects, like the bleeting of a pinball machine, the kooky noises of the cartoon, the hiss of the espresso machine, and the futuristic sounds of the sonic shower (to name a few) are very fitting. Fitting yes, but they also grow a bit annoying at times. Listening to a CD after a little while of listening would probably be a good idea, but not before hearing the crazy voices of the sims.

Control: 9/10, Transferring the controls from a PC title to a console port definitely poses problems for the developers. I think they surpassed those problems amazingly. The control is great. Everything falls into place after a few minutes of playing. A few minor problems are presented, such as the constant holding of the fast forward button, but they are definitely not anything worth worrying about.

Gameplay: 10/10, ''Playing a game where you tell your character when to use the bathroom.'' That was one way many described this game. They also asked why that would be very fun. It is. No two ways about it. The idea for this game is quite far fetched, yet is pulled off perfectly. This game is very addicting. I found myself saying ''Do I go use the bathroom, or do I make my sim go first?'' I'm sure you'll find yourself in that position many times, also.
This game adds a lot when compared to the PC version. There is a goal mode and a multiplayer mode. The goal mode, called Get A Life, is a way to, at first, ease your way into the game, and after the first level or two, an amazing test of your abilities. This is the mode that unlocks all the hidden items which can be used in the original PC mode.
The multiplayer adds a lot to the game. It truly mixes up the gameplay. Playing against a friend is very fun to do. In Get A Life you unlock the multiplayer settings and you can also play the original game in a two player mode.


Overall: 9/10, The Sims is sure to be a classic game. The new modes put it leaps and bounds over the original version and I am definitely looking forward to an online version of this game.
A warning, though. This game is very open ended. The goal mode helps remedy that, but if you MUST play to a set goal.. the game may not be your style.

Rent/Buy: Buy. It's sure to be a good time for you and your friends.

Reviewer's Score: 9/10, Originally Posted: 01/31/03, Updated 01/31/03