"The Sims Pet Stories" Review (PC)

Publisher/Developer: Electronic Arts
Genre: Life
Release Date: June 2007

Pros:

• Entertaining stories, one story with 2 possible endings
• Windowed mode

Cons:

• Steep hardware requirements for a laptop
• Offers little to veteran "The Sims" fans
• Stories can be completed in less than a day.
• Have to use keyboard to move around lot in windowed mode.

• Two stories complete with goals to follow that involve both Sims and pets.
• Stories contain 12 chapters, works out to be about one Sim day to a chapter if you complete goals quickly.
• Complete the stories and open up the neighborhoods to have full access the lots and families.
• Add pets to the family and be sure to buy a few toys.
• Just like Sims, pets can have jobs, needs and wants.
• Laptop friendly - play "The Sims Pet Stories" in a window with easy to use controls.
• "The Sims Life Stories, "The Sims," "The Sims 2" and expansions not required.

"The Sims Pet Stories" is the second in the line of "Stories" games (The first was "The Sims Life Stories). It's a standalone game that doesn't require nor use "The Sims 2" or the expansion packs. What makes "The Sims Pet Stories" unique? The guided play (or stories) and it's laptop friendly features. Features, objects, and gameplay include elements from both "The Sims" and "The Sims 2 Pets."

"The Sims Pet Stories" is a decent introduction to the series for new players. Someone new to the series may very well end up wishing they had bought "The Sims 2" instead. For gamers (or non-gamers) thinking of getting into "The Sims," go ahead and get the full version of "The Sims 2." If you're going to get hooked on a game, do it on the fully expandable version.

"The Sims 2 Pet Stories" comes with two stories that require you to complete goals. The goals (represented as a icon near the wants panel) must be completed in order to finish the story and get to the open play mode. It's hard to tell what "The Sims" team has cooked up in terms of where the story will lead. The stories are great for small chunks of playing time. Otherwise, you can easily sit down and play them in a day. Doing that will lead to feeling it was a waste of money. Play a chapter at time and don't rush. The stories are not that long or difficult. The first couple chapters of each are learning how to do basic actions.

The stories themselves are amusing while they last. One story focuses on the pet and the other on making a love match. I'd rather then did something other than a "who should this Sim get together with" storyline. At least this love story came with a touch of mystery.

Even in a guided story with scripted events, Sims have a mind of their own. Many times Sims would be chatting via pop up boxes, and they'd be on opposite side of the lots. I had a Sim make out with a Sim in front of a second love interest, the Sim witnessing the action, didn't give it a second thought. If they had, the story wouldn't have made sense and gone in the wrong direction. Developers should have scripted it so the Sims talking would keep interacting until the conversation was done. Because they didn't, the end result feels clunky and amateurish.

Laptop users can find the value in "The Sims Pet Stories." The ability to have the game and additional programs running comes in handy. For the person on the go, "The Sims Pet Stories" could be a nice distraction - a couple of neighborhoods to play when you're away from your regular families.