137 of 143 people found the following review helpful:
Sims 2 Works Well on DS
I wasn't sure about this game when I first heard of it because I had played Sims on Xbox and found it very difficult to control. This game is quite different, instead of porting the computer version as is to the DS, they created a whole different game that is a lot of fun.
In the game you become stranded in Strangetown and end up taking over a hotel. You...
21 of 24 people found the following review helpful:
It should have been more fun
Okay, I'm a HUGE fan of the PC version of Sims 2, so maybe I was expecting too much. I realize you can't pack the same amount of game depth into a much smaller memory space, so of course the game will be different. I recognize that, I just wish it were a little bit more fun.
At first I really liked the mission aspect, which is a big departure from the PC...
I wasn't sure about this game when I first heard of it because I had played Sims on Xbox and found it very difficult to control. This game is quite different, instead of porting the computer version as is to the DS, they created a whole different game that is a lot of fun.
In the game you become stranded in Strangetown and end up taking over a hotel. You have to complete different missions in order to move on in the game. You also have to keep the place clean, keep your friends and guests happy and keep the generator packed with power rods.
What sets this game apart is the game controls. Instead of clicking to move your character around and control them, you actual have control of the character and can move him or her around. You can interact with everyone and you have to learn to react in one of three ways to whatever the person does. This was a little difficult to figure out at first but it adds an interesting part to the game. Plus there are mini games, such as in the Casino there is a fun card game and you can play the slots.
So far this game has been a lot of fun and the gameplay options seem to overcome the endless rut you can get into in the PC version.
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Okay, first of all I'd like to say that I agree with the other reviewers about how different this game is, that is where I stop agreeing with them.
Skill points: They are not random, they come up daily for 8 hours.
Character interaction: They have several moods, and when you talk with them, you have 3 choices to click on for each mood. You don't have to time it, the buttons blink at you to let you know when it is time to respond to the characters.
Yes, the game is in one town, but any more than that and it would be to much. You could say it was in two since you do get to wander around in a desert and dig up alien artifacts and silver/copper bars.
There are a lot of things that happen in this game that keep you busy. There are aliens invading, robots, the mob, and a small time crook that you as the hotel manager get to deal with. You also have to be an odd superhero to defeat these villians.
The game did end rather fast. I expected a few more days of gameplay, but I finished it in less than a week.
This is a great game, but please remember that it is very different from pc and other system versions.
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Okay, I'm a HUGE fan of the PC version of Sims 2, so maybe I was expecting too much. I realize you can't pack the same amount of game depth into a much smaller memory space, so of course the game will be different. I recognize that, I just wish it were a little bit more fun.
At first I really liked the mission aspect, which is a big departure from the PC version. I liked having to earn enough money to improve the hotel, though I did most of that in the casino playing the super fun/addictive pirate card game. I like having to keep the place clean and the guests happy; that's all part of the challenge and the fun. And of course, you can find treasures in your vaccuum sometimes too!
Two big departures from the PC game that I really don't like:
1) The personal interactions are very limited and in many cases, annoying. Maybe I just can't figure out the patterns, but it still seems very random and I hate that you lose all "sanity" points after a few interactions and have to quit for a while. Maybe I'm just too impatient to see the patterns, but this is frustrating too me.
2) The "sanity" meter and how unspecific it is about what you need. When your sanity is low, you can raise it by using the toilet, taking a shower, having a snack, or taking a nap. This is true whether you need any of those things or not. For example, if your sanity meter is low, you can raise it up to the maximum by using the toilet. But, you might get just a few feet into the hotel before your character starts acting tired and wanting to take a nap. So you have to go back and take a nap, even though your sanity meter is full. There was no way to tell in the first place that she needed a nap and not a potty break. And what is up with recharging your "sanity" after a fight with a hotel guest by using the toilet? This really doesn't ruin the game, it's just sort of stupid.
There are some other things that aren't great, like the fact that gameplay really isn't that open-ended and you can't customize your character as much. No biggies, but repeat gameplay is limited.
On the other hand, one of the things that is REALLY cute about this version is the art gallery. The DS touchpad makes it possible to draw your own pictures and sell them in the gallery, which is not only a good moneymaker but really sort of fun. That's a very unique touch for this platform and I think it's quite cool. The pirate card game is also fun, and even most of the missions are a good way to waste time.
Overall, I'm not bashing the game completely but I am disappointed. It's worth a shot if you enjoy the Sims 2 franchise, but keep an open mind and be willing to be done with it forever it a week or two.
I hope they resolve some of these issues with the release of Sims 2 Pets for DS in the fall! I can't wait for that!
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To me, Sims 2 is probbaly a great game to play for everyone because of the following...
1. Storyline 4/5 stars
The storyline in this game is that your car breaks down and you end up in the desert, in a small town called Strangetown. Then after a while, you end up owning and living in a hotel! While your at the hotel, you can check people in, check them out, build rooms, clean rooms, add touches to them, make your own music, paint in the gallery and sell paintings up to 1000 simolines (money), workout, save people from goons, aliens, and robots, meet bigfoot, talk to people in different ways, and much much more!!!
2. Gameplay 5/5 stars
Control- In the new Sims 2, you DON'T use a cruiser and click what you want to do. You have direct control over him/her.
And when you want to eat or sleep or something, you can either press A or you can press the command that pops up on the touch screen which is pretty cool. When your picking up or moving stuff, it's like the consel versions except you moving the furinture on blueprints that automaticly go into the room. And the rest of the stuff like painting or making music, you can use on the touch screen. (And this game is based on a real time clock.)
3. Needs 2/5 stars
Well I was kind disapointed with the needs because instead of needs, you have something called a sainty meter. The sainty meter is a meter that represents your needs but in a different way. It's also used in conversations (see no 4.) And like usual you still have to fill it up so you don't have a nervous breakdown and aliens abduct you.
The reason I was disapointed was because of the needs. Like in the previous games, you could buy stuff to support your needs and make your house look cool and stuff but when you play sims 2, your needs always stay up and there really isn't alot to buy because there is only one shop and only 1 new item comes in every week.
4. Socials 4/5 stars
When your talking to people in Sims 2, its kind of like a game and not the build relationship thing like in the previous. When you talk to people, they'll either be happy,sad,angry,romantic, or drunk. And in each conversation there are 3 different things to do or talk about.
When I said it was a game i meant that you have to match the social with the person so their sainty meter can go down. If you get it wrong, then yours goes down. Once you bring there's down then the conversation is over and you can carry on what you were doing. You can also press B to get out of one.
5. Graphics- 5/5 stars
In the Sims 2, the graphics are a lot better then I thought it would be! It's not like the GBA version where you walk up down left or right. In this one the Graphics are like the consels where you walk forward, backword , left and right.
6. Sound 5/5 stars
The songs in this game are songs that you want to hear alot or ones you want to get in the mood for. Not to mention that you can also create your own ring tone or song on the keybord.
7.Overall 4/5 stars
Overall this game is alot of fun for everyone and I reccomend this game for first or great sim fans!!!
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I played last year's URBZ: Sims in the City on DS and loved it so I rushed out and bought Sims 2 on DS. This was an awful follow-up. They've changed so many things:
1) Game is limited to one small town
The storyline is revolved around a hotel and you get to wander around one town with 5 houses and the desert. That's it!
2) Character interaction system stupid
Previously, you would interact with other characters thru dialogue options to raise relationship points. Now, they have this incredible lame system where you have to pick one of 3 reactions on the touch screen. The most annoying thing is you have to time it exactly to the characters movements.
3) Skill points are random
Used to be you have to perform specific actions to earn skill points. Now skill point icons just pop-up randomly all over town. Makes no sense whatsoever.
I don't know why EA decided to make these changes to the DS Sims game but it's definitely a step backwards from the Urbz game. Also, please note the GBA version of The Sims 2 is totally different from the DS version. Perhaps that one is better.
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This was one of the first games I bought for the DS and I love it! At first I was disappointed that it wasn't like the original PC version of the Sims 2 but it's still a great game nonetheless.
So what's this game about? You play the main character (you choose what he/she looks like) whose car has broken down in Strangetown. While your car is being fixed, you are asked to become the manager of a hotel to get Strangetown back to order. In this game, there are a ton of tasks, missions, and minigames that you can play in order to run your hotel.
What's to like about this game? There's a ton of things to do! In order to "beat" the game, you have to complete missions. Some are harder than others and some take a while to complete. Along with these main missions, you have smaller ones (like getting furniture for your guests, beating up bad guys, and finding things in the desert). You must also do daily tasks (paying bills, cleaning, keeping your guests happy) in order to keep your hotel running smoothly. You can also go to the casino and play games. In other words, there's a ton of things to do to break up the main part of the game.
What's not to like? I find it hard to play for a long period of time. It just doesn't hold my attention like some of my other games do. Also, the game continues whether you're playing or not. If you don't play for a few days, you don't return to the game where you left off. The hotel gets dirty. Guests get angry. Guests checkout without you. Bills rack up. This is frustrating when you don't want to play the game everyday and then when you do play the game, the hotel is destroyed.
This is a great game for the DS. I gave it 4 stars because of the two above reasons but I still highly recommend it.
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12 of 14 people found the following review helpful:
Tips on this game and why it is so AWESOME!, December 26, 2006
A Kid's Review
This review is from: Sims 2 (Video Game)
Well? Which do you want to hear first? Why is it so cool or help on this game?
I had better tell you why it's super-cool first so y'all know what I'm talking about!
First of all your car breaks down in the middle of Strangetown (believe me, it was given that name for a reason) and while some guy is fixing your car, you have to do Strangetown a favor and run their low-rate only 6% in quality hotel while your car is being repaired.
You do that by cleaning your hotel, keeping the power, adding restaurants or lounges or gallerys or helpful room, gathering Skill Points, talking to your guests, and adding furniture. Creative, action-packed (there are alien invasions and goons) and tons o' fun!
Now how to work your way up to the top.
1. Where does some of this advice come from? The concergie. That's right, the concergie is your most loyal, and wise employee, so TAKE THE TIME TO CHAT WITH THE CONCERGIE.
2. One of the useful rooms you may buy for your basement is a vault. However there is a money-printing machine in the vault. I know you're already tempted, but whatever you do, DON'T PRINT OR TAKE ANY MONEY. You'll get away with it a few times but afterwards, you'll be arrested.
3. At first, making money isn't easy but soon you'll catch on. To make some serious cash BUY THE LION OR SAX LOUNGE AND MAKE MUSIC. You will, in other words, be tipped.
4. When your guests check out, they pay their bill based on their mood. If they're happy they pay the full bill, if they're angry or loopy, some money is deducted and you make less so DO NOT CHECK OUT GUESTS IF ANGRY OR LOOPY. The smart thing to do is calm them down or restrain them and THEN check them out.
5. This is yet another money making tip. You can make artwork and people WILL buy it (whether they like it or not) so BUY THE ART GALLERY AND FILL IT WITH PAINTINGS FOR MONEY.
6. Skill points aren't, as the last person stated random. That person is right in stating that they do appear daily for eight hours so EVERY DAY CHECK EVERY ROOM IN YOUR HOTEL FOR SKILL POINTS. They help in tips and sanity.
7. Your guests are here to stay for a couple of days, but also to be diddled so SPEND TIME WITH YOUR GUESTS TO GET TO THEM. Eventually as soon as they show up as Best Friend in your relationship thingy they'll start sharing their concept art (secrets) with you.
So what have we learned?
1. TAKE THE TIME TO CHAT WITH THE CONCIERGE
2. DON'T PRINT OR TAKE ANY MONEY
3. BUY THE LION OR SAX LOUNGE AND MAKE MUSIC
4. DO NOT CHECK OUT GUESTS IF ANGRY OR LOOPY
5. BUY THE ART GALLERY AND FILL IT WITH PAINTINGS FOR MONEY
6. EVERY DAY CHECK EVERY ROOM IN THE HOTEL FOR SKILL POINTS
7. SPEND TIME WITH YOUR GUESTS TO GET TO THEM
Now let's test your knowledge in this funfilled game!
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I bought this game expecting it to be somewhat like the sims on the computer. I guess I shouldn't assume. This game is a complete let down. To get skill points you have to find them randomly around the town which i feel is really stupid. then to increase your relationships, all you can do is a 3 choice thing based on the body language of the other character. I want to talk to the people. I want to do workout to get body skill points. If you are expecting something like the computer version, think twice before buying this game.
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In my opinion, besides the odd story lines and the wierd goings on of the game, it is OK..but just OK. I has been filled with required tasks that are next to impossible. I've gotten to a point in the game that I feel compelled to go onto the internet to find some cheats. I expected much more. This has been a huge disappointment and considerable lowering of standards for the otherwise excellent Sims franchise.
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I was very surprised at the amount of glitches and freezes this game had. Judging by others' comments, I guess I wasn't the only one.
Not only does it freeze during important parts of the game, but I don't have an Options menu. At all. When I try to get to the Options screen, everything goes black and I have to restart.
The game has an interesting set of minigames that are quite fun. Fighting crime with a rat suit is pushing the "funny fun fun" factor a bit far, but I guess some would find this okay.
I wasn't very impressed with the game overall. It wasn't a HORRIBLE game, but Maxis could have done so much more with the concepts they had if they just tried a little more.
Oh, if you're a Sims fan like me, don't even TRY to compare this one with other games on different platforms, especially PC. It's not even in the same ballpark- heck, planet as the others.
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