The Sims Bustin' Out
Score: 85% ESRB: Teen Publisher: Maxis Developer: EA Games Media: GCD/1 Players: 1 Genre: Simulation
Graphics & Sound: The Sims series of games has never been known for its graphical glitz. Unlike other games (that will remain unnamed), The Sims has always focused on the game play aspects rather than on looks. This same tradition carries on in The Sims: Bustin' Out. Overall, the graphics are very utilitarian. They don't stand out but they do their job and don't look all that shabby doing it. If you've ever played a Sims game, then you already know what to expect. Other than a much cleaner look, where Bustin' Out differs from previous games is that it offers much more variety in terms of what your Sim looks like. Though the console version obviously doesn't offer the kind of customization the PC version offers (which is due to the ability to create your own 'skin' for your character), there's still a lot of leeway offered. In addition to setting your Sim's height, gender and other attributes, Bustin' Out allows you to get a little more in-depth and customize facial features like eye color and other facial attributes. As you complete challenges within the game, you can unlock new 'upgrades' to your Sim's look. Where The Sims does impress is in the animation department. The range of animations your Sims can pull off is staggering and shows a lot of variety. This is mostly due to the number of new activities your Sims can now participate in. Aside for the typical walking, running and other whiney animations your Sim can perform, activities like climbing, fighting and tickling have been included. Bustin' Out is a lightweight in the sound department. A few background tunes, most of which sound like really campy 50's TV theme songs, pop up every now and then, but for the most part, the only music you'll hear are the ambient sounds of your Sim's life.
Gameplay: Although touted as a sequel, The Sims Bustin' Out could more aptly be described as an expansion to last year's console version of The Sims. The core game play from last year's version returns, only now in a more streamlined package that takes care of some of the previous game's problems. Bustin' Out offers two game play modes. The goal oriented 'Get a Life' mode makes a comeback, but now sports the new moniker 'Bust Out'. A Free Play mode is also offered. The purpose behind the 'Bust Out' mode is to run your Sim's life and take him (or her) from a hopeless slob living with mom into a millionaire. Getting a job and working your way through promotions accomplishes this. The number of careers has been expanded. These include things like Fashion Victim, Gangster, Movie Star, Paramilitary and my personal favorite, Mad Scientist. While you're trying to run your Sim's life, you will also have to help save the people of SimCity from the clutches of Malcolm Landgrab. To Defeat Landgrab, you move into themed houses (which vary depending on your job) and completing objectives. To complete these objectives you either earn so much money (to buy stuff for your house), or get promotions. Success in both defeating Landgrab and becoming a millionaire hinges on keeping your Sim happy. This is accomplished by constantly monitoring every aspect of his/her life, such as sleeping, having fun, eating, making friends and having good hygiene. The big 'draw' of Bustin' Out is that you get to travel with your Sim outside of the house. In the previous game your Sim was, for the most part, under house arrest. This killed the already slow pacing of the game since there were times where players would have to sit and stare at the screen with nothing to do. Bustin' Out allows your Sims to, well, bust out of their homes and explore other areas of SimCity. The ability to leave the house is welcomed, although it sounds much grander in theory than it does in game play. Traveling between areas isn't as exciting as it sounds. You don't have the option to stop at random, making traveling little more than a load screen. Destinations aren't all that special either and, other than houses, usually just consist of new places to improve your Sim's mood or skills. Destinations also come with objectives, which can be completed to unlock new clothes and items. Free Play mode is for people who still want to enjoy managing the lives of their Sims while not having to work within the confined structure of 'Bust Out' mode. You can manage as many virtual lives as you want and either improve or worsen (if that's what entertains you) their lives. Really creative people may even try to recreate their own family, or famous TV families like the Tanners from Full House... not that I would ever try something like that... Moving on.
Difficulty: The Sims Bustin' Out is a pretty complex game -- or at least it looks that way on the surface. Bustin' Out does an excellent job of introducing new objectives to the player and never seems too overwhelming. You'll begin with easy objectives like fixing a computer and gradually move on to more complicated ones like meeting someone, getting married and managing kids. There is no set time limit to these things, allowing you to take your time. Your Sim is never limited in their profession and can switch at any time, giving you freedom to explore the game without too many restrictions. Most of your game time will be spent trying to keep your Sim happy, which translates into a productive Sim. Skipping meals, not bathing or being anti-social are things to avoid and can mean a much harder experience when trying to meet goals. Improving stats is no small feat either, but is certainly manageable with a little organization.
Game Mechanics: One of the incentives for getting the GameCube version of The Sims: Bustin' Out is the ability to connect to the GameBoy Advance version of the same game. In the past, connectivity has been something of a joke. Okay - it's been a really big joke. As interesting as the 'innovation' is, it's never been used for anything worthwhile other than the mildly amusing Tingle option found in Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker. And even that wasn't all that entertaining. Connectivity in Bustin' Out is possibly one of the better uses of this technology. Yes, you still unlock a special item, but after connecting your GBA to the GC you can transfer your Sim into the GBA version of the game. This allows you to not only take your Sim on the road with you, but since gaining skill points and mood is easier in the GBA version, it makes for a good quick pick me up. Although it may not be the true breakthrough in the series that The Sims 2 looks like it is shaping out to be, The Sims: Bustin' Out is still a fun experience. Overall, Bustin' Out manages to improve on last year's experience and still remains one of the more interesting (aside from those really strange Japan-only games) and worthwhile gaming experiences on the market.
-Starscream, GameVortex Communications AKA Ricky Tucker
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