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PSP | Simulation | The Sims 2

Boxart for The Sims 2
The Sims 2 12 screen shots
  • GRAPHICS: 4.0
  • SOUND: 3.5
  • CONTROL: 3.0
  • FUN FACTOR 2.5
  • AVG USER SCORE 3.5
  • AVG CRITIC SCORE 3.1

Review: The Sims 2

Review by FUNKYZEALOT | 01/09/2006 | 13:22:21 PM PST

Welcome to the PSP, Sims. Hope you don't mind long load times...

Before The Sims proved itself as a golden goose for EA, it took a risk by trying to show that even mundane chores could be fun. Who knew that cooking, cleaning toilets, or taking out ladders from pools could be so satisfying? Unfortunately, one thing's for sure about The Sims 2 on PSP: when load times comprises 30 to 40 percent of the gameplay experience, it's excruciatingly boring.

The Sims 3 Precursor?
Compared to the original PC version, the PSP version boosts the interactivity between you and your virtual alter ego. The chat, intimidation and flirting mini-games actually give you something to do other than watching chat bubbles, and neighbors' mini-quests make the game more story-driven. As a result, Sim junkies will be less inclined to sequester themselves in their pad and obsess about the perfect interior decor. Instead, there are real incentives to get to know your neighbors...besides climbing up the career ladder.

Perpetual Hourglass Icon
It's hard to appreciate the changes, however, with a game that chronically seems to be loading. And unfortunately, the majority of the frequent two second pauses are just to hear some Simlish gibberish that doesn't contribute to gameplay anyway. Worse yet, the loading pauses actually penalize you, as mini-game timers sometimes start ticking before you're even able to do anything. From conversations to interacting with items, everything requires the PSP to chug for an annoying moment. Those wait times add up, and in the end it feels like half the time is spent watching the hourglass icon in the top left corner spin upside down.

With such long downtimes, you'd expect the visuals to blow away other PSP titles-but they don't. Character detail is decent, but the sparse character builder options mean that an in-game Britney Spears won't happen. Customizability has been a big draw for series fan, and the rigid mechanics will undoubtedly turnoff hardcore Sims fans. But hardcore or not, the load time frustrations alone will turn away all but the most avid Simaholics.


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