House Party, Livin’ Large, Hot Date,
Vacation – goodness, where do you go from here?
Well, why not into Old Town? Because
of Resolution 309b-Z-2a, your neighborhood has been incorporated into SimCity’s
new historic Old Town district. And that means an entire new world has opened up
with all the trimmings, excitement and joy available in one of the most
fascinating and enduring cyber worlds in video game history.
The Sims Unleashed, a Maxis
(Electronic Arts) release for the PC, is choked full of goodies, all of which
improve upon an already incredible title. Unleashed refers to the most
attractive and visible part of the package – the addition of pets to the world
of The Sims. While not really missing before (simply because there were so many
other things to do), after welcoming the precocious and mischievous fur-balls
(and other assortment) into your home, you’ll wonder how you could have lived
without them.
Will this open up the door of debate
between cat and dog people? Perhaps, but there is a whole lot of fun in here
besides. The addition of Old Town means access to quaint shops, new houses, and
– of course – the pet store and kennel club.
But those are just a few of the new
additions to the growing world of The Sims with the Maxis release of The Sims
Unleashed. Here is what else the expansion features:
* The game has updated personal design
in hair and clothes. Sims can sport a new flip do, and flair jeans are in vogue
with tank tops.
* Pets are an obvious addition.
* There are some updated appliances
like a new stove, refrigerator, cupboard, bathtub and toilet. In addition there
is a greater variety of tables to choose from.
* The community has expanded with Old
Towne now within free shuttle distance from the neighborhood you original could
build in. Players can play as families in Old Towne, with ritzier houses and a
pet store for purchasing that new addition to your household. There is also a
park and a small mall for your exploration and enjoyment.
* Oh, and you can buy the seeds to
plant your own garden and enjoy the delights and splendors of that pastime.
Aside from the additions to the world,
this game sports the same look, same sound and same game play.
If you think the pets are just static
additions to this game, think again. Cats like to have their own rooms, and
though you can try to tell them what to do, the pets seem to have minds of their
own.
This is a terrific addition to the
world of The Sims, one that fans of the game won’t want to live without.
However, if you want to add this to your world, you will need the original copy
of The Sims, or The Sims Deluxe Edition (http://gzdev.wpengine.com/gzreviews/r20382.htm
) to play it.
Regardless of whether you are partial
to animals and pets or not, the new neighborhoods (and houses), shops and parks
make this a wonderful title. Life in this world just keeps getting better and
better.
This game is rated Teen for comic
mischief, mature sexual themes and mild violence.
Gameplay: 9
The Sims is a perpetual world that only
slows down when you ask it to – either for building, saving or just to take a
break.
Graphics: 9.2
While this is essentially a
two-dimensional world, the constant variants in the individual characters (which
is highlighted by the animation) give it amazing life. The new neighborhoods are
attractive, featuring wonderful new houses and quaint shops that you will wish
were in your neighborhood.
Sound: 8.8
Do the pets talk Sim talk? Well, they do
speak, but what – just like The Sims themselves – they say is open to
interpretation. The musical score remains essentially the same here.
Difficulty: Easy
Jumping into this world is a breeze,
becoming a viable member of its society is almost as tough as real life. This
game sports an extremely user-friendly interface.
Concept: 9
Sure, it is an expansion, but it is a
welcomed one that really takes the game to another level.
Multiplayer: N/A
Not yet, anyway. The Sims Online is in
the works.
Overall: 9.1
The only failing this program has is that
it is an expansion, requiring other programs (if you have Livin’ Large, House
Party, Hot Date, Vacation – you understand how these games must be installed in
the correct order for them to work properly) to run. But there is no denying
that what this expansion brings to the series is wonderful. This series just
keeps getting better and better.
