Games for Lunch: MySims Kingdom
In a nutshell: The Cutest Wandolier
2/5/2009 5:08 PM | 0 Comments | Page 1 of 4
Developer: EA Redwood Shores
Publisher: EA
Release Date: Oct. 28, 2008
Systems: Wii (reviewed), DS
ESRB Rating: E
Official Web site
0:00 I liked the original
MySims quite a bit, despite never actually going back to spend much more time with it after
my initial hour. I hope this one has a little more "game" to it and a little less directionless building/exploration.
0:01 The preview screen has an incredibly cheery piano tune that expands into a trumpet and horn fanfare. I listen to it a few times on repeat -- it's just so vibrant!
0:02 Some quick loading, then some Sims on a wooden ship. They come to a kingdom where the king welcomes them. They build a bridge, then get cupcakes. Back on the boat, one guy is sitting on a cupcake. He builds a windmill and a set of speakers for a DJ. The group gets scared in a graveyard. A castle gets built and everyone cheers in front of a statue of someone. Then a rough transition: "Please connect the Nunchuk to the Wii Remote." Whoops!
0:03 The same cheery music plays over a simple menu screen with stained-glass Sims scrolling in the background. "New Game" or "Load Game" are the only options, and only one of them makes sense to me.
0:04 "Once upon a time there was a great kingdom that covered the entire world." You hear that, kids? Hegemony is great! All the lands were ruled by "a kind and wise king: Me, King Roland." He's humble, too!
0:05 Some Sims are Wandoliers who can pick up stuff with a magic wand and build it somewhere close by. But some of the Wandoliers have wandered away, leaving parts of the kingdom in disrepair. Jerks!
0:06 We start off by choosing a male or female Sim. Changing appearance is as simple as pointing at the hair, eyes or mouth and clicking A.
0:08 After clicking the "Random" option a few times, I finally end up with a look I like, with a goatee and mustache, black hair, cool glasses with a light frame and a pirate-style shirt. Yarrr! I name him Ace, my standard go-to name when I can't come up with something better.
0:10 Panning over the town: A blonde woman in a pirate-type outfit stands at a fountain. A princess is angry and runs out from her castle. A grinning woodcutter smiles at a bird delivering a message and claps. I sweep the walk in front of my house with a frown.
0:11 "HEY, PIG HERDER! You done herding those pigs yet?" It's a valid question Elmira is asking. I bow my head as I shake it. Wait, I'M the pig herder? Yuck!
0:12 My first task is to find the pigs and walk them over to Elmira so they can be happy rolling around in the mud. She's happy with my performance. "Get up early tomorrow, though. I need you to sweep all the mud." And here I was worried this game would be filled with pointless tasks. Instead I get to SWEEP MUD! WHOO!
0:13 "Hey paaaaaaaaal! Ace! PAL!" It's Buddy, the grinning woodcutter. He trips as he runs to me, then says hi to the pigs, causing Ace to give a small chuckle. They're so full of life!
