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Computer Sim-fanatics will likely mutter some kind of derisive comment (perhaps in the game's Simlish gibberish) when faced with the idea of playing a mere port on their Xbox, PlayStation 2, or GameCube this autumn. Consoles aren't supposed to be good at these kinds of "god games." The good news for players new to the Sims or PC players is that The Sims 2 for console systems isn't a mere port of the best-selling PC phenomenon; it's different enough to appeal to new and old players alike.
Like the PC version, the Sims 2's console version is essentially a balancing act. Each Sim is imbued with a basic personality, attributes, wants, needs, and fears. Various meters display needs like hunger, entertainment, social interaction, and the need to go to the bathroom (among other things). Fulfilling those needs in the limited time frame (and finding time to make money, party with the neighbors, date, marry, and maybe have kids) is what makes this a game ﾖ and the console version is no slouch in this department. The core gameplay is intact.  Added are new environments to explore, ambitions and jobs not found in the PC version, and a whole new perspective. Literally, now the default option is to play the game in 3rd person close perspective (the PC game is set in a more isometric or top-down perspective). This means players can control their Sim like a 3rd person action game and explore their world with more immediacy. It works when controlling one Sim, but later when you want to control a family, players will need to switch into the more computer like view. Starting the game gives you two basic options: Story Mode and Freeplay. Both modes give players the option to customize and create their own Sim, and doing so offers a daunting range of options. Players who like to tinker can choose from what appears to be thousands of different looks The game kick starts your character by randomly selecting parents to create your character's "digital DNA" (this DNA is actually used when your character finds a mate and has a baby ﾖ Sim lineages are now possible), players can accept these changes and move on or spend, literally, hours experimenting and tinkering with different looks, personality traits, aspirations, goals and more. It's quite overwhelming and, admittedly, is much harder to control using a gamepad. In this way the PC version is superior. It's just much easier to get a Sim that looks like you, or looks like you want them to look, using a mouse and various sliders than it is using a gamepad. Story mode also differs from the PC version in that players will control their Sim at all times. Directing conversations, fulfilling wants and needs, and moving through their Sim life is what it's all about. It's an entertaining diversion, but the real control is reserved for Freeplay. Freeplay mode plays more like the Sims we're used to. Create your Sim (or family), buy a house, and furnish it with your meager savings. Get a job, meet the neighbors, save up and buy better stuff, and party all the time or settle down to raise a family ﾖ all using well animated characters in a closer perspective while sitting on your own living room couch.  There's a split screen multiplayer option, which is nice, but sadly conversations are purely one sided. Only the player initiating contact can choose the options available. And my wife, not a gamer per se, chose instead to simply make her Sim try to make out with me as much as possible. I was powerless to refuse. I'm not complaining about that, but I don't see why they couldn't have made it more of an exchange. I choose an interaction, and then she chooses one. Regardless, it may be limited, but it's nice to see Maxis experimenting with multiplayer in the game, so we're glad it was included. The graphics aren't state-of-the-art, even on the weaker PS2, but they're very nice and the animations are often hilarious. The Sims have always had a cheeky sense of humor and that's present in this game (parents, be warned, Sims can make out and they have sex (called Woohoo) here ﾖ it's tasteful but present). The music and sound effects are high quality and the game seems stable, which is important given the amount of work, and time, dedicated players put into this kind of software. If the idea of sitting in your living room on your couch while playing a character on the TV ﾖ who is sitting in his living room, on his couch, watching TV or playing videogames - appeals to you, you'll find these little computer people a nice diversion from the action videogames usually provide. It's the ultimate in meta-gaming. Playing yourself playing yourself and it's worth the purchase, because it's different enough, even if you just spent the past year sitting in a computer chair playing a character sitting in his computer chair. 
Despite the Teen rating, the Sims does deal with real life in a frank manner. It isn't immoral, it's maybe amoral. In that, if you like, you can make your Sim a lothario, you can cheat on significant others, you can torture them, cause them to die in pitiful ways, and, inevitably, there will be "nude patches" that will let you see their naughty and normally pixilated portions. Also, the Sims do have sex. "WooHoo" (as it's called in the game) is done beneath the sheets, with cute fireworks graphics and gasps and moans that sound more like a good tickling session than anything hot and steamy, but it's there, so be aware of that. Once again Maxis has tackled complex social issues by simply not addressing them. Homosexuality and gay marriage/adoption are possible in the game. Culture warriors should know that all of the above are voluntary. Your Sims won't flirt with the same sex without you first ordering that behavior. So, in a way, The Sims are unlike real homosexuals in that, in the game at least, it really is a "choice".
Bear in mind that all of the above issues are handled in a mature and tasteful manner. The game has a lot to offer children and teens in that it teaches and encourages responsibility, treating and caring for your Sims, and the inherent value and positive sides of work and family. Few games ever bother to simulate things, values, like that, so it would be a pity to see moral parents avoid the title simply because it doesn't take a value stand on issues like premarital sex, unwed mothers, promiscuity, and homosexuality. The game, like life, offers your child or teen freedom of choice. Your Sims will only be as immoral as you let them be. If that scares you, maybe play the game with your kids rather than not let them play it at all. One more complaint, if you'll indulge me, is the complete lack of faith or spirituality in the game. It seems to me that adding Church on Sundays, Yoga, Buddhist meditation, etc., as an alternative way to fill your Comfort or Social stats would be a positive thing for the game and something gamers of faith would enjoy (and wouldn't offend anyone). I'm not religious myself (just adding that to keep my gripe in perspective) but I might someday want to explore a Sim who is. Why is that denied? Comments? Chat about it in our forums! Format For Printing | Tell A Friend | Digg | Slashdot | del.icio.us | Buy This Game Home > Review Archive > Video Games > Results: Sims 2 |
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