The Urbz: Sims in the City (Sony PlayStation 2, 2004)

Reviewed for Big Boss Games by: CRR

The first two titles in the series by EA Games are The Sims and The Sims Bustin' Out, but make way for number three, The Urbz: Sims in the city.

In The Urbz, you guide your Sim through life in nine very diverse culturally different districts, where you have to walk the walk and talk the talk. As in its two predecesors, in The Urbz, you have goals to achieve, bills to pay and promotions to obtain. The differences you'll find in this game are in the jobs you work and clothes you buy, which are district specific, and the other Sims you meet and interact with.

Another difference is that you have to build up your reputation. This is achieved by meeting and befriending as many different Sims as you can and learning their specific social interactions. At the start of the game, you must choose what district to start out in. By completing your goals and building your rep, you unlock other districts to visit and work in.

The main goal is to build yourself up to have the highest rep in the city, so that everyone wants to be your friend. This game is fun and simplistic without being too easy. Plus, after you beat it the first time, you can always go back and play as someone different, giving this game replay potential.

On a scale on 1-10, I give this game an 8.5. Sim-fans should not miss out on The Urbz!

Reviewer's age: 27

I waisted my money and bought this game new. It started out with dumpster diving, then I had to shower and go to another city that they told me to. One of those games you don't play much, you just do whatever they expect you to do.. ie. change clothes, and move some items around. Go here, next goal their.. It is nothing like the original sims where you design your house, etc. Maybe a good game for girls, or children, but certainly not for older people.

If you're expecting The Urbz to be very similar to Sims Bustin' Out or Sims 2, and just a city setting being the biggest difference, you should know that this isn't really the case. The Urbz sort of goes to an extreme with the cartoonish lack of realism. What I mean is, in The Urbz there's a major focus on "street cred", and instead of just socializing with other sims, you have to do weird, outrageous stunts to get their attention and approval. Experiencing this aspect of the game kind of makes it seem like you're sitting in front of a Saturday morning cartoon show, and that's what I mean by cartoonish. Obviously all the Sims games stray from reality in ways and are basically cartoonish versions of life, but this game really seems to take it to the extreme. Another aspect is, when you get a job, don't expect your sim to get picked up by a car and disappear. Instead, you actively "do" whatever job you get. Really, this means playing a little mini puzzle game, and how successfully you handle the mini game determines how successful you are at the job. Which I found to be sort of interesting, but mostly lame... The graphics are good for a Sims game, and there are plenty of interesting places for you to wander through. The load time is a bit obnoxious though, even for a Sims game... Personally, I have no desire to own this game and kind of wish I hadn't gotten my hopes up about it. Though, if you like the really cartoonish and corky aspects of Sims 2, and think it would be fun to experience a Sims game that's more removed from reality and even more of a caricature of a simulation game, then The Urbz just might be for you. If you're used to and like the original Sims and Sims Bustin' Out, and are curious about stepping up to a newer version you've yet to try, I'd say, focus in on Sims 2 over The Urbz, because it will be closer to what you're used to and the changes are likely to be more favorable.

I bought this game used but it was in excellent condition and arrived quickly.
My daughter had wanted this for a long time and we couldnt find it anywhere.
When we found it here she was so excited. She loves the games and plays for hours. Says you get to go to all different places and change your dress style to fit in. She likes buying things to decorate the house and all the simulated options. Great game!

I had this game for over a year and played it for hours and hours. I love how there are missions and a plot to it.
And once you beat the game, its not over. There are ways you can make it easier for your next character to get through it easier to the mansion.
Its so awesome how each district has its own set of personalities and new items. The music was a great idea. Its not nearly as annoying as other sims games.
And there are mini games that make the game a bit more interesting.


BUY IT! IF YOU LIKE THE SIMS, YOU WONT REGRET IT!