The Sims 2: Pets

Before we begin, there's a general rule between console and PC versions of The Sims that gamers must come to accept: no matter what console comes out, the PC version has managed to be far superior compared to every port to date. A computer's available resources allows multiple floors, customizable shops, more content and furniture, unlimited hard drive space, a wider range of abilities and other advantages that can not be made on a console with memory limitations.

This rule applies to the Wii version, as well. Photo albums and video clips are absent from console iterations. The music tracks are Sim-esque versions of popular artists like Pussycat Dolls and The Flaming Lips with Sims language (incredibly funny, by the way). If you're looking for the very best Sims 2: Pets experience out there, you may want to invest in the PC version and expansion pack.

When these truths are accepted, The Sims 2: Pets can be evaluated in its own right as a stand-alone Wii title. As the first family simulation game for the Wii, and the sequel to the top-selling casual game of the past decade, there are expectations that follow with this title: the controls need to be easy, the interface needs to be simple, the experience should be designed for the Wii and the game should be fun to play.

The Sims 2: Pets falls short in a great number of these expectations. Gameplay elements like designing homes and interacting with other characters/items do not take advantage of the Wii Remote as well as they could have. The Wii Remote/Nunchuk combination required for the game proves a rough learning curve. For example, pressing the + button opens up the menu. If holding the C button, however, pressing the + button speeds up in-game time to complete mundane tasks faster. Accidental presses are aplenty, but dedicated Sims players should grow accustomed to the scheme over a few days.

"You will call me Master, human!"

The paused menu interface isn't all that bad, as the icons are large enough for the pointer. Moving around is far more difficult and the building controls need a great deal of work; most players won't understand how-to-do-what until after reading the instruction manual. There is no in-game tutorial, so players looking to learn from a used game need to find an online version of the instruction manual. It took a great deal of time to discover that zooming into a specific area meant holding the Z button while pressing the analog stick up. If you're wondering, pulling the Wii Remote toward or away from the screen does nothing.

These overcomplicated methods of simple procedures could have been corrected by placing friendly buttons on the screen similar to the PC version. At this stage, dual analog sticks might have provided better control. Instead, the Wii version of The Sims 2: Pets looks and feels like a GameCube or PlayStation 2 port with widescreen support, even though it feels like it should play like a PC game.  Hardcore console gamers may not be too bothered, but a better version is available. If you're looking for that perfect motion-control version of The Sims, this is not it; buy the PC version if you have the choice.

You're probably wondering where the pets fit in. There are three types of pets: uneventful aquarium pets, roaming felines and canines. While the pets are interesting, they can not be controlled by the player. These pets will do whatever they want, and the conditions of The Sims structure causes a few glitches along the way. One particular annoyance was a cat sitting on the couch. My player wanted to pick up the cat, but the cat was occupied on the couch. What unforeseen hand of divinity held my player back from picking up the reclining kitten is beyond me, and this rule applies to cats sleeping on counter tops or occupied elsewhere. Your character just has to wait out the pet's action. Not being able to pick up a cat on a kitchen counter is pretty bizarre.

Oh good, the pet is on the floor. Now I can interact with him!

As forewarning, the game is entirely focused around the pets. The pre-designed stores only carry pet items, only pet items have upgrades, the family system found in The Sims has been cut back and the game is relatively boring without having animals in the home. Even hardcore Sims players won't find much to do without animals, but we'll get to that later.

What more is there to know between other versions and this one? Find out in Stage 2!