Urbz: Sims in the City für DS

Introduction
"As I feverishly prodded the "POWER" button on the face of the DS, I came to the realization that I was not in 'Kansas' anymore. The Sims were now a generation of rebellious, hip-hop-loving, bling-sporting, chopper-driving 'urbz'... and they intended to remain that way."

Greetings! It has been quite sometime since I ve contributed my valuable opinion to the world of EPINIONS, but I am quite pleased to announce my return, with the review of the title The Urbz: Sims in the City for the Nintendo DS platform. Unlike the preceeding review, I have a slightly diverse approach to the review of this game. I received my copy of "Urbz" on Christmas Eve, along with my Nintendo DS, which must be regarded as the most majestic portable gaming device on the PLANET. But that's another review, for another day. But after I had relentlessly torn into the box, I was faced with a tiny, molecular-like object that looked like a pigmy version of its former "Gameboy Advanced" ancestor. Shaking my head, simutaneously wondering how I could prevent losing such a small object, I began to set up my DS. Finally, everything was unwrapped, and complete. As I feverishly prodded the "POWER" button on the face of the DS, I came to the realization that I was not in 'Kansas' anymore. The Sims were now a generation of rebellious, hip-hop-loving, bling-sporting, chopper-driving 'urbz'... and they intended to remain that way.

Description
The Urbz is a depiction of the Sims... They could be noted as the average Sim's "City Slicker Cousin". When I first began the game, I was faced with a state of disappointment. It didnt seem satisfying enough to suit my tastes. So, tossing it to the side, I began to play Super Mario 64. A few weeks passed, and, as I expected, I lost the cartridge. It turned up about a week later, and suddenly it appeared to be asking for some reconsideration. I agreed, and began the game again. This time, I began the game again, faced with Kris Thistle, the resident janitor of "King Tower" which is where you are employed as a window washer, your days sentenced to cleaning the excrement of pidgeons from the windows of the tower. Yes, it's repetitive. Yes, it's enough to drive you insane, and yes, it is excrement. Not the most pleasant profession imaginable, no? However, there are some positive sides to the situation... Actually, no, there are not. That is why the game is so offputting at first. It's a hassle to scurry all around the tower, scrounging up food and what not. But if you just stick with it, the game does eventually pay off. As in the predeccessor, there are certain boundaries that are marked off-limits, but will be available to unlock later in the game. Once you absorb the gist of this game, it will be inseperable from your hands. With the career choices of "window washer, basketball player, comedian, motorcycle racer, card-player (I do not recognize this as an official job, but..), fiddler, doctor's apprentice, and sushi chef", this game definetely has a sense of "variety". You will also be able to furnish an array of apartments, anywhere from a run-down brownstone to a breath-taking penthouse, with unimaginable gadgetry and shoe-shaped loungers! And with the fabulous character dialogue, and the pun-riddled names: "Dusty Hogg (A motorcycler), Ol' Salty (A retired Fisherman), you will surely be entertained. But there is also alot of significance in your "rep" group, (Streeties, Artsies, Nerdies, Richies), and the amount of Xizzles (objects that affect a certain need or stat, obtained by beads) you have. Yes, it seems mind-bending now, but when you truly absorb the game, it will suddenly make a bit more sense.

Objective
This game is riddled with objectives. Your main goal, however, is to "stop" Daddy Bigbucks, who is an eccentric billionaire, completely bent on outstretching his power to every inch of "Urbania", and to create a diabolical plan to somehow destroy everything your urb wants or needs. It's quite entertaining. You also need to focus on your "Rep" missions. In the beginning of the game, you will answer questions which will determine your placement as an Artsie, Streetie, Nerdie, Or Richie, all having their strengths and weaknesses, and all having selective representatives of the groups. After you have become completely aqquainted with your rep leader (Relationship 100), you will recieve your selected missions, each of which will be challenging, in most cases. You will also find yourself absorbed in "Xizzles", which as explained previously, are things that boost a certain skill, need, popularity level, and etc., and most affect you in a positive way. In order to do this, you will want to obtain "BEADS" found in hidden places, or by reaching a high relationship level with characters in the game. There will also be involvement with a hidden island, but you'll have to play the game to discover that. As objectives go, you'll be busy for awhile, guaranteed.

Rating: 9.5/10

Category
As simulations go, the Sims has always led in the competition, so the urbz must follow close behind. Compared to other portable-gaming titles, this one definetely takes the cake, or the "Giant Chocolate Bunny", as you may discover later in the game with a bit of help from a mixer and three chocolate bars... ;-)

Rating: 9.9/10

Setting
There are 7 main settings for this game.
#1, Downtown Urbania, a slightly cliched take of a city. This is where you will find a run-down thrift shop, an underground danceclub, a doctors office, and the city jail.
#2, SimQuarter, the "market place" of the city. Here you will find a seafood restaurant, a fortune teller, a jazz club, a cyber cafe, a graveyard, and a dock.
#3, The Riverboat, a place where you will find a "casino" (It's actually just a card game), and where you will eventually discover a bayou.
#4, The Bayou, which will be discovered mid-way through the game. A pair of hillbilly brothers live here, along with an alligators, an excess of chickens, a ghost, and a fiddler.
#5, Glasstown and the Carnival. Glasstown is the rich, upbeat part of town where you will find a carnival, a mall, a cinema, and King's Tower.
#6, ____ Island (I'm not going to be a spoiler.)
#7, The River, where you will ride a fanboat around until you are ready to sink the fanboat and swim instead. The settings are detailed and entertaining, and full of hiding places and hidden things...

9.9/10

Connectivity
I am uncertain about connectivity for this title. For information, go to Nintendo.com and input the name of this game.

Sound Effects
The sound effects are average, but not as good as, say, Super Mario 64 DS... :-)

Rating: 8.0/10

Music
1 word, 4 syllables... R-E-P-E-T-I-T-I-V-E. The music is upbeat, urban, soulful, and very impressive for the limitations of a portable game, but if you listen to the same song for too long, it begins to sound repulsively repetitive... but then again, that may just be my attention span.

Rating: 7.0/10

Control
It's quite simple, the DS makes it quite simple indeed. I have not had any problems with the control. It's a ten.
Rating: 10/10

Graphics
The graphics are not as advanced as some of the other titles, but it's average... Good enough to score a 9.

Rating: 9.0/10

Length
It's long enough to take you awhile, unless you are bent on proving me wrong. For an average person, with a "REAL" schedule, it will last a long time. And you can even continue to play after you "complete" it, though it will not be as fun.

Rating 9.9/10

Rating
This game is rated "E" for everyone. It is very mild, and there is no crude humor, only high-spirited puns and hillarious dialogue. For it's rating, it is exactly what an E game should be. Nothing less, nothing more.

Rating: 9.9/10

Conclusion
Despite its abnormalities, the Urbz is an addition to your DS collection that will be incredibly treasured, and is not to be missed out on.

Overall Rating: 9.3/10

OTHER MISC INFO
Gamer Selections
As with all of the sims games, it is hard to put an age limit on them, because although some are rated TEEN, the widest range of gamers are children. So whether you're shopping for your 8-year-old nephew or your 16-year-old cousin, you'll want to check into this game.

Guide Book/Cheat Code Website Recommendation?
There is NO guide book... For certain goals, you may want to seek assistance of a Website such as ign, or cheat planet, or something like that, so YES. I do recommend that.