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The U rbz: Sims in the City This is the real sim city.
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some players but not others. Here's hoping the next Metroid title takes that fact into account. Visually, MP 2's dazzling, organic-looking environments represent a quantum leap for console-based shooters. Like its predecessor, MP 2 obsesses over tiny visual details-you'll spot buzzing mosquitoes, drifting sand clouds, and
glossy metal surfaces throughout each of the expansive levels. The character models have also received a noticeable upgrade; many of the darkling enemies look like fever dreams given grotesque life, as they melt into black ooze only to lunge screeching from the shadows. And most important, you can expect a smooth,
flowing framerate, even during heated four-player matches. Compared to the vibrant graphics, Echoes' Spartan audio comes across as a more muted victory. While the spinetingling soundtrack and eerie atmospheric effects lend a cool otherworldly vibe, many of the weapon effects sound curiously flat. Oh, well! Simply put, MP 2 is precisely what Metroid fans have been waiting for. Nhile it makes important gameplay strides over its predecessor, it doesn't rget its side-scrolling roots. Players who despised the first Metroid Prime
nay find they harbour similar feelings towards MP 2. But open-minded Tamers will find an instant classic.
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oX The Sims keep going on ; now they have to keep on keepin' on . In the latest installment of the long-running relationship simulator, The Urbz: Sims in the City, the gibberish -spouting creatures have taken it from the relative safety of the 'burbs provided you leave the ladder in the pool - to the buzz of the big city, with its neon lights and wide variety of city dwellers. As a result, the locations and other "Urbs" they meet have the tendency to be varied in appearance and personality, which isn't an unwelcome change from previous takes on the concept. The Urbz: Sims in the City Reputation is key to rising in social circles, and The Sims Requirements: Microsoft Xbox have always centred on that aspect. In The Urbz, the main goal console is to make relationships with the 45 Urbs inhabiting the world Ratin : 85% and earn money through different jobs. However, you have to Price: €39.99 play chameleon more than ever: When you hit Kicktail Park, for Contact: Gamestop 01 872 4305 instance, hanging with the punkier skaterz crowd means your efforts will be on board tricks and more physical skills. Cozmo Street is more musical and you'll make time with Black Eyed Peas (yes, those Black Eyed Peas and the band's music in Simlish is hysterical.) By building your relationships, new social skills and moves help you make friends in each district. There are many challenges that come up along the way, which is where your XAM device comes in handy: It's your handheld, phone, text messenger, and overall status checker, giving you information on how your relationships are coming together ( and where you need to make more effort), the inventory of items to customise your world and, most importantly, to see what goals you have left to achieve in each zone. Oh, and again you need to balancing your main needs, such as eating, sleeping and, uh, personal hygiene. The Urbz is virtually identical on each system, t with some minor consideration for hardware differences. Unfortunately, there's a lot of repetition of sound and animations as you pursue relationships, though the addition of new actions along the way opens up new animations. Also, the jobs you take are different in each district, but the control-pad actions are the same: You need to reproduce four-button sequences as they appear onscreen, which quickly moves from challenging to tedious (though necessary if you're going to earn enough Simoleans to buy items necessary to enhance your reputation). The Urbz offers a nice, fresh twist on the Sims experience, for both veterans and newbies alike. Yet, despite seeing the goofy characters in a new fish tank, there isn't enough freshness throughout to keep you down with it. It's not ■ bad, it's just not baaad...you feel me? January 2005
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