Wednesday 12th April 2006
by Philip Ellwood
'The Sims' series is the most successful games series in history. The original game hooked gamers worldwide as they created their own Sims and controlled every aspect of their lives, from getting a job through to falling in love and starting a family. 'The Sims 2', originally released for PC, was a huge hit and expanded on the foundations set out by the original game. 'The Sims 2' has been adapted to take advantage of the variety of gaming platforms available and EA have created a different gaming experience depending on which platform you choose. The PSP version allows the gamer to create a character to use in the game. Once you've made your character (in true Sims style you can pick everything from the shape of his/her head down to their underwear) you can begin the game.
'The Sims 2' on PSP places your character in the eerie setting of Strangetown. As you drive past Strangetown your car breaks down. With little options available you must take the car to a nearby garage to get it fixed. Unfortunately for your Sim, the garage you leave your car with disappears leaving you stranded a few miles outside of Strangetown. From this point on the gamer takes control of the Sim and must explore Strangetown and discover its secrets.
The game offers a wide scope for the gamer. You can interact with everyone you meet and in true Sims style the Sims talk absolute nonsense. This aspect of the game always keeps me entertained and its fun trying to guess exactly what they are rambling on about. As you build up your relationships with people you can have some fun by flirting or even intimidating other Sims for information. The game on PSP is very different from the PC version. Whereas the PC version allows you to do pretty much whatever you please, the PSP version follows a storyline and offers a completely new gaming experience. Many of the game's trademarks are present; buying & selling furniture, talking gibberish, fulfilling wants & apsirations. The PSP game allows you to have conversations with other Sims where you can see what is actually being said. This is to help you progress through the game and learn secrets. The main difference is that your Sim has to achieve goals. These can be simple tasks such as talking to another Sim or more difficult tasks such as locating the ashes of a ghost that haunts your newly acquired mansion.
I don't have any real complaints about the game. I did at times find the loading time a bit frustrating but aside from that the game looks and plays great. The graphics are just as good as the PC version and the game has the same mix of weird and wonderful Sims.
EA have done a great job of translating 'The Sims 2' for PSP. The game is almost as much fun as the PC version and it is equally addictive. A 10 minute look at the game ended in about 2 hours of intense playing. Even after I switched my PSP off I was considering my next move and which Sim I would befriend next. 'The Sims 2' on PSP is perfect for your morning train journey or if you're going on a long journey. It passes the time fantastically. Once you start playing the Sims, I promise you you'll never want to put it down.
Click here to buy 'The Sims 2' on PSP
David Jensen Photography:
https://www.davidjensen.co.uk/
