15-Nov-2004 PC fans might have got themselves The Sims 2, but Maxis hasn't forgotten about the consolers and it's created a brand new franchise especially for us in the shape of The Urbz: Sims in the City. Doesn't it make you feel all warm and fuzzy inside?
So you've taken the big step and moved out of the comfort and regular laundry washing of your parental home, and now it's time to face city life. Once you've created your basic Urb you get to take them into one of nine areas in the city which are all controlled by different gangs. These include the punks that inhabit the seedy Central Station, stuffing themselves with chips and pounding each other in their own personal Fight Club. Then there are the skaters that live in Kicktail Park and like nothing better than skating their hearts out and then stopping off at Floaters, the local party bar, where they inhale helium until they sound like Alvin and his merry band of Chipmunks.
But Urbz is all about gaining a reputation with each of these cliques as well as keeping your own five needs in check (food, entertainment, sleep, bowel movement and hygiene). That means you'll have to socialise and work out what makes them tick, which will allow you access to new areas and social moves. More importantly you'll have to buy clothes to blend in so you don't go into the J-Pop and sushi-filled streets of Neon East wearing one of Marilyn Manson's cast-offs.
As well as being a social butterfly, you'll have to find some way of paying the rent on your new apartment and buying furniture to impress your new-found friends. Every area has its own job opportunities. For example, you can make body piercings, sculptures or try your hand as a sushi chef, and all these jobs will require you to complete some basic button-bashing mini-games.
The Urbz is certainly a big departure from the traditional Sims gameplay and it's all the better for it. It's extremely accessible - although the longish loading times are a bit of a pain - and a hoot to play, with a constant stream of details that'll keep you smiling.
Official Xbox Magazine staff
// Overview
Verdict
Colourful, fun and literally full of life. The PC crowd can keep The Sims 2 - we've got The Urbz!
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