The Sims 2 Mobile

Reviewed on: 22/05/06
Reviewed with: Sony Ericsson K700i
Developed by Maxis

The Sims. Probably the most ingenious idea for a video game ever thought up, and an instant hit with virtually every PC gamer around the world. Everyone discovered that you could, in fact, have quite a lot of fun mapping out and living somebody else’s life, rather than getting on with your own. A phenomenon with the game developed, which caused EA to make a series of fantastic expansion packs and, eventually, a sequel. Along with versions for consoles and handhelds, the Sims 2 has been ported to the mobile platform, but, I’m afraid, it might not reflect the freedom and customization you got with the original.

Before you begin playing the Sims 2, like the PC and console versions, it will prompt you to create a character-only one character. You then deploy him/her into the Sims world, where they will make friends, get jobs, buy new appliances, fall in love and perhaps even in delve into the ultimate commitment-woohoo(people who have played the PC version will know what I’m talking about.). In the process, they will also eat, sleep, become angry, and occasionally shout at the screen, a bit like in the original, but with less sound.

Some gamers might prefer this version’s less cutesy graphics to those of the N-gage’s Sims: bustin’ out. They look far more similar to the PC’s look, and capture the Sims essence quite well. You also the famous little revolving crystal above your Sim’s head-only here, it’s stationary. The furniture and house graphics are also quite familiar (ah, that shower…). They can, however, appear a bit grainy at times. Animation here has been scaled down to suit mobile-instead of seeing your sim carry out his/her various actions around the house; you will be seeing a cloud covering them, which will represent what your character is doing. For example, if your character is eating or cooking, the cloud will contain moving pieces of food. The sound is less spectacular- the game lacks any music, while other sounds are also scarce, rearing their heads only when you complete actions or when your “virtual mobile” happens to be ringing.

There are a few problems with how the game itself works. The first, discovered when creating my character-you can’t type in your own name. This is one of a number of limitations preventing the game from reaching its full potential. I was, thus, forced to play through the game with a guy called “Dario”. The appearance and clothes options are also reduced to just choice of colour. I was also surprised to find that the game was quite linear- contrary to the usual Sims trend. All you basically have to do (or CAN do) is proceed with getting acquainted with a fixed number of friends, who will give you access to new jobs. The game is also devoid of free will, which will cause your sim to just wait there for orders.

This port could have been a lot better, had those little aspects which define the game been added.