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How Metascores Are Calculated
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Bigs 2, The
Stars indicate the most critically-acclaimed games. |
 GAMES: 
For the first time, Sims are living in the city where reputation (rep) is everything. Players will custom-create these new Sims, called Urbz, by customizing their unique style and building their status to become the biggest "player" in the city. Players will take their Urbz to work and be challenged by bosses at locations like the Sushi Bar, Chop Shop, or Bootleg Fireworks, Inc. Success brings the player well-earned promotions and gets them access to power socials to help them influence other Urbz. The fast-paced lifestyles in The URBZ is evident in gameplay including job challenges based on a direct-control mechanic for job objects, skill-building objects, and power social interactions. The URBZ is built on an all-new graphics engine that recreates the essence of living in a vibrant city with distinct districts inhabited by Urbz with unique lifestyles. The game's style captures the pulse of the action-packed downtown, ritzy shopping districts, Bohemian artist workshops, and a gritty subway station. Players create their Urbz using a new character customization engine to show off attitude and unique style, as well as signature "bling" such as tattoos and nose rings. Players build relationships to increase their rep, influence other Urbz, and gain access to city districts, jobs, and lifestyles. Gaining access to all districts in the city, being able to live in any district, live any lifestyle, and become the biggest "player" in the city is the ultimate goal. The URBZ will support the Sony EyeToy. Players will download their image into the game with the Sony EyeToy and as their rep grows; their image or their Urbz image will begin to be reflected in the game.[Electronic Arts]
All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more... 85
Armchair Empire
Takes the Sims series in a new and good direction.
 80
PSM Magazine
It's as addictive and funny as any other Sims game - that's plenty good. [Holiday 2004, p.80]
80
GamePro
Urbz offers a nice, fresh twist on the Sims experience, for both veterans and newbies alike. Yet, despite seeing the goofy characters in a new fish tank, there isn't enough freshness throughout to keep you down wid it. It's not bad, it's just not baaad-you feel me?
80
GameSpy
It might not be as deep as its PC counterpart, but it's perfect for console gamers, who are generally looking for a more casual experience. By the end, my buddy was living the high life, and I was actually proud that my Urb was finally one of the popular kids.
80
AceGamez
With quirky graphics, familiar sounds, a nice variation in missions and tasks, a high level of interaction where jobs are concerned and some great new power socials, The Urbz is a worthy addition to most peoples' collection.
78
Game Informer
I feel that the game opens up too quickly and that, while there a respectable nine districts, each has very similar goals and features. [Dec 2004, p.164]
75
3DAvenue
Possibly the best choice for those wanting a Sims game without having to do the house decorations and design, and for those who just want to be able to keep playing and playing without worrying to much about time management and having to deal with mundane tasks in an on going fashion.
75
IGN
It's fun if you really enjoyed the Sims and want to play a glitzy, more streamlined version of the game. But some players will probably miss the non-linearity.
75
Next Level Gaming
The good is it is a very fun game. The bad is it seems a bit watered down from the original game.
75
Gaming Nexus
The series was solid to begin with and it seems that the developers tinkered with a formula that didn’t need to be changed.
73
GameSpot
Maxis' bold changes to the original formula set forth by The Sims aren't all for the better, but they make The Urbz a very distinctive and surprisingly solid game.
71
GameZone
I don't know about you, but my idea of a good time does not involve the viewing of a man or woman going to the bathroom. All nude parts are purposely blurred, but even so, it was completely unnecessary.
70
Yahoo! Games
Fun for a while, and the customization is quite compelling at first, but before long the innate repetition, linearity, and ultimate emptiness really begin to grate.
70
DarkStation
What's really interesting about this game is that for all that it's doing differently, it still just does not feel all that much different from the typical Sims formula.
70
Official U.S. Playstation Magazine
It's rather like cotton candy - fun if insubstantial, without any redeeming nutritional value. But there are times when cotton candy hits the spot just fine. [Jan 2005, p.102]
70
Game Over Online
It's fun, but a shallow fun, based on shallow characters ' maybe the perfect game for the kids from "Clueless" or "The OC."
65
Electronic Gaming Monthly
The streamlined motives are a tremendous improvement in alleviating tedium - so why the heck is the skill advancement so painful? [Holiday 2004, p.108]
60
Gamer.tv
A very sweet game and, thankfully, very easy to play from the outset. While nowhere near as comprehensive as "The Sims," this is as endearing and sylish as keeping people as pets gets.
60
games(TM)
The Urbz feels like a step back for the franchise; despite EA's efforts to bring gamers a "console exclusive' there's not a lot on offer here. Fans won't find anything new, but newcomers may well discover the pleasure of the series and seek out EA's back catalogue of simulated lifestyles. [Christmas 2004, p.114]
60
G4 TV
A pleasant change from "The Sims" that is tailored to those who would find the constant reinventing of personal style an appealing diversion.
56
TotalGames.net
The Urbz is simply not fun. At all. Not only are your Urbz's bodily functions hyper-accelerated, but satisfying one of them, naturally to the detriment of another, is too time consuming with animations lasting an uncomfortably long amount of time, especially when you'll be seeing them so often.
50
Detroit Free Press
Seems that once you've done it all in one district, though, you'll end up doing the same things elsewhere. The only fundamental changes are the background and the inhabitants. There's no real final goal; you just keep playing until you get tired.
50
Boomtown
If The Urbz was marketed as ironic social commentary it may have raised a wry smile, but the frivolous manner in which it tries to appeal to the cool-set eventually becomes irritating.
50
Games Radar UK (Pre-2006)
A "Sims"-Lite with a 12-year-old's vision of life painted glossily (and thinly) on top. You'll either love it or hate it depending on your view of games and the world. [PSM2]
40
Sydney Morning Herald
The developers totally misunderstood what makes The Sims so appealing. There is little opportunity for creativity (furnishing your apartment is tedious), no drama and a mistaken emphasis on conservative conformity.
m and m gave it a9: Emily C. gave it a10: Angela R. gave it a10: Railen H. gave it a 10: Amy J. gave it a 3: Tina K. gave it a 10: |
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