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The Sims Bustin' Out Review for Xbox
Posted on Friday, January 16, 2004 @ 01:59:43 am E.S.TThe magic of the legendary series The Sims comes back to life in console form in The Sims: Bustin’ Out. The simplistic action of controlling the everyday life of a digital character has captivated gamers around the world, and the same old formula that made this series so successful since its inception comes back into play once again. The possibilities in this game are endless, be it the ordinary, everyday act of replacing lights, living up the nightlife by partying at the club or expressing exhaustion through...well...urinating on the floor, anything you could do in real life can be done here. Of course, this simulation aspect is exactly what makes this game what it is, and attracts gamers into its hybrid of realism and hilarity. With the success of last year’s first console incarnation of the PC series, it’s no wonder a second go-round was given a shot. But is it actually any better this time around? The answer to that is a yes, surprisingly...but not by much.
In this year’s edition, the new “Bust Out” story mode replaces the “Get A Life” mode from the previous console installation of the series. “Bust Out” consists of having your character follow a set storyline saving SimCity, and your belongings, from the ever-so-greedy Malcolm Landgrabb. Mr. Landgrabb is your mother’s recently divorced ex-husband, and he’s out on the prowl to steal back anything he gave to your family or any of his other children. All the while, you attempt to make a life of your own, moving out of Mom’s house and getting a job while working your way up the ranks of the corporate ladder. Your Sim’s occupation can widely vary, as you can become anything from a vain Movie Star, to a slick Gangster, and even an insane Mad Scientist. If you don’t feel like dealing with the rigors of getting rid of greedy Landgrabb, you can always go back and experiment in the mode that made this series famous, Free Play. Within Free Play, you build a home, hold a job, and all of the other basic things that any human would do in life. Whatever you could want out of your Sim experience, it’s right there at your disposal.
Bustin' Out lets you live large.
No matter what, don’t let anyone or anything else fool you - if you’re looking for something revolutionary in this sequel as far as gameplay is concerned, you’re going to be let down. The same old Sims gameplay is in effect once again. Which while not necessarily a bad thing, can prove tedious for the gamer with a trigger finger for high-octane action. If you're one of those gamers, and you're testing the waters of The Sims series for the first time, it might take some time for you to get adjusted to the pace of the game. However, it is a simulation series, and although that is something that usually results in a description that includes the words “boring” and “time-wasting,” that definitely isn’t so here. No matter how well you think you can manage your own life, your Sim has a whole different way of thinking. There is not one moment you won’t be looking to improve your Sims eight different mood levels (which consist of categories ranging from “Comfort” to “Bladder”). You’ll definitely want to test their limits on some of these, as some result in hilarious actions by your characters, which even include urinating themselves or falling asleep while walking around. If there is one thing that this game proves, it’s that change isn’t necessary in order to ensure success.
As far as graphics are concerned, The Sims has never been the most stellar of games. The graphical style got the basic idea across, and any modifications to that would have never been really necessary. A few more details to the graphical presentation of the game have been added in certain places since the last incarnation, but overall, it’s nothing that would make your jaw drop. The one thing that is amazing, though, is the sheer number of animations found within this game. Any action you could imagine in real life can be done here, from using vehicles to even pulling each other’s fingers and letting out noxious gases. Many of these animations are downright hilarious, and you’ll be sure to get a good laugh out of any quirky motions that take place.
My, what a snappy dresser we have here.
In the sound department, there really isn’t much to comment on. The gibberish that the characters speak are repeated frequently to simulate talking, and there is no musical score unless you are to turn on a radio or television. The only other sounds are the small effects, such as dishes breaking, toilets flushing, etc. It’s all very well done, but it could’ve benefited with the addition of, say, custom soundtracks to break the monotony of the few songs that are available.
All in all, The Sims: Bustin’ Out is a very compelling game if you can get into the slow pace of simulation games. It’s very similar to an expansion pack that is being sold as a sequel, as it takes many of the same elements that made the initial title a success, and tweaked them slightly by adding on new objectives, career paths, and items to unlock. As far as gameplay is concerned, there really isn’t anything new this time around. While that’s not necessarily a bad thing, those looking for something new and exciting may have to wait for another go-round. Maybe next time around, Maxis will attempt a full-fledged sequel, rather than just a timely update to the initial game. Review By: Matt Hack - 3233 Reads
The Sims Bustin' Out Review Scores for Xbox :
| Gameplay |
| 7 |
| Graphics |
| 7.5 |
| Sound |
| 7 |
| Replay |
| 9.5 |
| Overall |
| 8 |
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