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The Sims 2: Pets (Gamecube Version)
The Sims 2: Pets, the first expansion to make a console debut, combines the many good elements of the original Sims for consoles, as well as the few excellent aspects of The Sims 2 for consoles to make what has to be the greatest console sims game to date. Even without the addition of pets this game would still be a significant improvement over the previous titles.
Before continuing, I feel it is important to note that, even though Pets is pretty much the same game for both Playstation 2 and Gamecube, I have only ever played the gamecube version and will be reviewing my experiences on that console only.
As a huge console sims fan, I was really looking forward to the Gamecube release of this title. The obsessive compulsive freak in me researched the game extensively before buying it, so I knew exacly what I was getting myself into. Most of what I read prooved true. The only things I disagreed with were negative aspects some reviewers pointed out. I saw nothing wrong with what they were complaining about.
At first glance I was slightly disappointed with the graphics. When you begin creating your sims and their pets everything looks like derranged cartoon characters. However, once I got going I realized that the graphics were just slightly distorted due to them being scaled down so much. Although it's not great that they looked that way, gameplay graphics look excellent, and I suippose not everything in a game can be perfect. The graphics are slightly improved over the already great graphics from The Sims 2 for consoles. The sims look less cartoon like and the animals look downright amazing.
I have heard many complaints about the lack of animals in this game. However, I would have to disagree with the people who complain. Firstly, there are four different pets: dogs, cats, fish, and the piggly puff, which is like a guinea pig. Dogs and cats are the only two animals that can be customized, but the extent at which they can be is amazing. You can literally create hundreds of different dogs or cats, and no two will look the same. Many people complain that the fish and piggly puff are barely interactive. To those people I ask you this: how many interactive fish and guinea pigs do you know in real life? I've owned both in my childhood, and all I could do was look as them and cuddle them (the guinea pig, not the fish). Also, many people have complained about the lack of monkeys, rabbits, turtles, pigs, etc. My reply to that is, when I think of pets, I think dogs and cats. Sure there are people who own monkeys, rabbits, turtles, and pigs, but they aren't the majority. There are hundreds of dogs and cats that you can create, and adding so many other species would use up more memory, and would result in less dog/cat breeds.
When it comes to the sound of sims games, I rarely have anthing to complain about or compliment. As fans know, these games are famous for their hilarious simlish language and calming elevator music. However, I really have to give a shout out to the sound in Pets. I didn't think it was possible, but it has actually improved. Not only does the simlish sound better then ever, but the songs on the radio are some of the best yet. My personal favourite would have to be the simlish version of my favourite Cowboy Troy song, "I Play Chicken with the Train." It sounds like the real thing.
The story mode in this version has been removed completely, but that's not necessarily a bad thing. Although in the earlier console sims (such as the original and Bustin' Out) the story mode was an excellent seller for those who already loved the PC versions, The Sims 2 console's story mode pretty much ruined that aspect with their aweful lack of story story mode. Sims still have wants that earn you aspiration points, but this time all the unlocking of things is done in freeplay mode. You are also not unlocking items and new locations, but rather upgrading shops in the town park and unlocking townies, both of which are new features I'll get to in a little bit. You can also unlock new clothing for your pets, as well as new markings and coat colours. All of these unlocks are fun and exciting, and any player will want to unlock everything.
There are also many new locations to build your house on. Although I never counted, there is not only more than the pitiful four lots that The Sims 2 for consoles had, but also more than the six the the original game had. Also back are the premade houses and families for those too lazy to create their own.
One new feature, as earlier mention, is the town park. Your sims can take their pets to the town park where you can chat it up with other sims and their pets, or shop around to buy some new items for your furry friend. Instead of the usual simoleons that you use to buy things while at your house and in other games, when you're at the town park you spend pet points. These can be earned by playing with, training, and taking care of your pets. If you're lazy you can also exchange simoleons for pet points at the town park. The more pet points you spend at a particular store, the bigger it will get and the more items it will carry. The use of pet points makes saving cash for important house upgrades easier, or at least, just as easy as it was in previous games.
Townies are another new feature. These are sims that don't live in your neighborhood, but appear at the town park or your house after you've earned a certain amount of aspiration points. If your sims are constantly happy, and if you have empty houses built on all the lots, then these townies will move in and provide more opportunities for socializing. One of these townines is none other then Hilary Duff.
What is probably the greatest improvement to this game, making it definitely worth the money, is the improved AI. Unlike in The Sims 2 for consoles where, if left to their own devices, sims would just raid the fridge no matter how full they were, sims actually can take care of themselves. If they're hungry they'll eat, if they're tired they'll sleep, if they're bored they'll find something fun to do, and if they really have to pee then they'll run to the bathroom. Half the time I play I just leave my sims alone now. The do a better job taking care of themselves then I do, and it's amusing to see what they'll do next. With this improved AI this game is much more unpredictable then all previous versions.
However, as I mentioned earlier, not everything can be perfect, as with this game. For one thing, although the customization process of your sims and houses is extremely detailed, there are very few new items added. In fact, some things have been removed from The Sims 2. For example, having a male sim where no undershirt is nor longer an option. What's a town without that crazy drunk who walks around in nothing but boxers? (Or maybe I was the only one who added that guy to every town.) Also, the majority of the few new items added are just weird obsessive pet things. For example, all of the new clothing added is just pants with paw prints on them. Who wants that?
Then there's the loading times. I haven't had many issues with loading times in previous console sim games, but Pets seems to take forever, especially when it comes to saving games. I guess that's the price you pay for having so many pet breeds to customize.
Another complaint I have is once again the lack of children. Although dogs and cats can breed in this game sims still can't have kids. This is extremely dissapointing, especially after the many complaints The Sims 2 for consoles got for removing this feature. They are definitely out of excuses, seeing as previous console sims have allowed kids. Hopefully this will be added to the next sims game released to consoles.
There are also a few bugs that I have notcied in this game, and although they are very annoying they still don't take away enjoyment of the game. For one, the time and day in the town park is always different then the time and day at your house. For some reason, even though it's 1:00am Thursday at home, it will be 3:00pm Sunday at the park. However annoying this is, it doesn't really affect gameplay. An even more frusterating bug I have found is that somethings puppies and kittens get stuck and don't grow up. If this happens the only solution I have found is evicting the family and either removing the pet or just moving the family back in. However, when you evict a family all the furniture in the house disappears and you have to buy stuff all over again. However, unless you are constantly breeding pets this doesn't happen all too often.
Another very annoying, but very small, detail I feel the need to point out is that dogs don't stay clean very long. They need to be washed once a day if you take them to the town park and pay to have them cleaned, or, twice a day if you choose to do it yourself.
Overall, Pets is an excellent game for console sim lovers. However, if you have the computer to get The Sims 2 and Pets expansion for your PC, I'd recommend you do that instead. If consoles are your only way to play the game, Pets is more then a must have, it's the have.