The Sims: Bustin' Out is the sequel to the best-selling PC title The Sims.. In the transition from PC to N-Gage, gamers no longer point and click, but physically walk their characters around, much like a platformer. The Sims: Bustin' Out allows gamers to play, work and socialize with a cast of twenty five new characters. The Sims is broken down into levels with each level containing objectives for the player to fulfil.
Four exclusive mini-games are included in the game. Darts, Tennis, Bricks and Snake all feature and are fully playable in-game. These games are hidden throughout The Sims and must be found to be unlocked. High scores in these games can also gain the player unique in-game items. Also, the N-Gage's bluetooth capabilities mean two players can participate in trading or selling rare objects through daily live auctions. New objects also feature in the title which are exclusive to the N-Gage game deck, such as Nokia phones, though more exclusive items would have been appreciated.
Before gameplay can commence players must customize their Sim. This includes naming them, choosing hair colour, gender, skin tone, hair style, shirt, pants and shoes. After this is done attributes must be assigned to your Sim, from laziness, attitude and neatness.
The game takes place in Sim Valley, a little town in the Sim World. Players are dropped at Uncle Hayseed’s small country barn and the hard work commences. Aside from trying to fulfil the criteria to advance to the next level, Sims also must be fed and bathed. Eight bars measure your Sim and their health and happiness. The eight needs bars are hunger, hygiene, energy, social skills, comfort, bladder, fun level and room condition. Ignoring one of the bars is not recommended and could result in your Sim living an unhealthy life, or passing out.
The Sims: Bustin' Out makes players earn their simoleons (the currency of choice in the Sim world) by playing job mini-games. In the PC version of The Sims gamers sent their Sim off to work and then earnt their simoleons, Bustin' Out makes the player work hard for their income. The job mini-games range from serving drinks to mowing the lawn.
The core appeal of The Sims is the fact it is a people simulator. The Sims allows players to run an entire life, to get jobs and develop relationships and friendships with fellow Sims. The gameplay is frantic and addictive, with some decisions being life-changing moments. Players can go into an in-depth game advancing through all the levels, or just roam around customizing their house. The choice is totally up to the player. The entire town of Sim Valley is extremely large and takes a long time to navigate through. The freedom given to the player is unprecedented.
At times players are able to hop on the various vehicles scattered throughout Sim Valley. Due to the smaller screen of the Nokia N-Gage it can be hard to see exactly where your Sim is driving to or what is up ahead. The map will come in handy but more often than not, players will find themselves running into trees, buildings and other vehicles.
Graphically the game is a standout. The Sims: Bustin' Out is one of the best-looking games on the N-Gage. The frame-rate is sturdy and never falters and the Sims and towns in Sim Valley are colourful and vibrant and the brighter screen of the Nokia N-Gage makes The Sims: Bustin' Out easy to play in just about any environment. The Sims: Bustin' Out is a near-direct port of the Gameboy Advance version but is better looking and features N-Gage exclusives.
The sound on The Sims is, in comparison, nothing spectacular. Toilet sounds, animal sounds and everyday life sounds are relatively uninspiring, yet the sound is perfectly suited to the game.
The Sims: Bustin' Out is a great game. Most people who own an N-Gage will want to get hold of The Sims as it is perfect for either a quick game or a lengthy sitting. The mini-games such as Bricks and Snake extend the lifespan of The Sims and are a great alternative to the main game. If you want the best portable version of The Sims then The Sims: Bustin' Out for the N-Gage is your only choice. The main gripe I have about The Sims: Bustin' Out is that the gameplay can become repetitive. The mini-games serve as a great diversion from the main game but are not enough. Aside from this, The Sims: Bustin' Out is an addictive title that will stay in your N-Gage for a long time.
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