The Urbz: Sims in the City Critic Reviews

Absolutely brilliant.

But a New York City-sized upgrade to the visual presentation along with the inclusion of mini-games and more focused, goal-oriented gameplay should appeal to the urban-centric Sims fans that prefer console action to the PC.

I would have liked the building and object acquisition to be a little more worthwhile than it is, as that is a big aspect of the original and brings out the interior decorator and architect in all gamers.

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.

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.

Certainly a big departure from the traditional Sims gameplay and it's all the better for it. It's extremely accessible - although the longish loading times are a bit of a pain - and a hoot to play, with a constant stream of details that'll keep you smiling.

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?

I feel that the game opens up too quickly and that, while there a respectable nine districts, each has very similar goals and features.

The good is it is a very fun game. The bad is it seems a bit watered down from the original game.

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.

Tries to be different and succeeds, but its repetitiveness keeps the fun from being both fresh and stimulating.

We would love to see Xbox Live support enabled with support for downloadable objects (this could help to extend the lifespan) or even custom soundtrack support to take advantage of the Xbox's capabilities would have been a good inclusion.

The game felt easier just because of the fact that it holds your hand throughout the journey, and acts like a set of training wheels until the end. That doesn't mean the game isn't fun though.

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.

Doesn't reinvent the gameplay of its predecessors, but it does refine it. Unfortunately, it's not all for the better.

It's fun, but a shallow fun, based on shallow characters – maybe the perfect game for the kids from "Clueless" or "The OC."

While The Urbz: Sims in the City has its moments and boasts high production values, the core gameplay just never really rises to the occasion.

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.

With The Urbz, EA has trimmed down the general Sims formula, removing more in-depth options along the way, but, in doing so, they've also cut away the very captivating essence of the franchise.

The streamlined motives are a tremendous improvement in alleviating tedium - so why the heck is the skill advancement so painful?