The URBZ: Sims in the City

There is not so much a storyline here, more a set of minor goals that you have to overcome in order to succeed in your overall aim of becoming the most 'hip' and 'trendy' newcomer on the block. The Sims has you working, shopping then returning home to work on making a habitable abode. The Urbz is all about the character

 

The GameCube version of The Urbz is extremely visually impressive, with everything looking and feeling as cool as EA was most likely trying to achieve. There are so many different styles used throughout the game and each one is definitely unique to the other

 

It is fast becoming apparent that gamers really do prefer harder, darker versions of games nowadays, with the likes of Grand Theft Auto and Need for Speed: Underground ruling the roost, whereas the cutesy likes of Mario et al have fallen somewhat by the wayside. Therefore, EA saw the perfect window of opportunity quickly open up to make The Sims a PC-crossover success. Give the console gamers a little more than a personal computer life simulator and give them the edge they seem to desire so. The end result is quite a promising one...

As mentioned before, there are twelve districts to choose from once you have created your own Sim (from a limited selection of characteristics, limited when compared to Tiger Woods!). You begin in one of your friends' flat, with just $300 in your pocket. The first thing to do? Mess about with what is around you! It is simply too hard to resist switching on the radio and watching as Betty (erm...please refrain from asking!) boogies to whatever tune comes on. Then the next port of call is jumping into the rubbish dumpster outside

 

This is where matters become slightly repetitive, though. Each person you meet may react slightly differently to 'Make joke', 'Tickle', 'Kiss', 'Gossip', 'Fight' or one of the other options, but you will find yourself doing the same stuff over and over again in each district! The same goes for the jobs you can enrol yourself in