In 2004 Maxis and Griptonite Games released The Urbz: Sims in the City. The idea was to interact with others in different neighborhoods and get your reputation as high as it could go. If you reached the maximum respect then you would get to meet The Black Eyed Peas. I remember playing this game when I was younger and while the game does get confusing at times, it was still pretty fun. Earlier this month I bought the game again after remembering the memories I had and now that I’ve been able to experience the game I don’t think it was nearly as good as what I had thought.
Your character goes around to different locations with giant groups of people with different interests. For example, one would revolves around bikers and you hang around a biker bar neighbor, another is is filthy rich people with so much white and gold you would mistaken it for Donald Trump’s penthouse. In each area there are bosses and the only way you get them is to use a “special move” you learn from someone after completing some challenges or by gaining access to the VIP area. When you gain reputation you will even see others start to dress like you.
The main problem with this game is that while interaction is a key component to the Sims games, you very rarely go to your apartments. Yes I said apartments. As the game progresses you are given the keys to different apartments and get to customize them how you see fit. This also increases the amount of money you have to pay for rent. How do you pay for rent? You take odd jobs that are available in each area. Each require a different skill and minimal level in that skill to make more money. It’s sad because I never go to them unless I’m training or don’t have access to a shower. For the apartment at the beginning of the game, I turned it into a skill room so I could train in different skills to make more money. That’s honestly it.
I do agree that sometimes you need to do something different, especially if it’s a series that has been around for a long time. While The Urbz did change some things and kept the some of the aspects that we all loved while playing The Sims, there is honestly no point since you’ll be to busy trying to make friends and make money. Hence why it belongs in the Gaming Graveyard.
