Animal Crossing vs The Sims

[jellyworld]

I just listened to episode 1X20 (ok so i am a little behind) and I couldn't help notice the criticism of the sims, spore and everquest. The criticism stems from the mundane life-like tasks the games present players. Shane states that he "just doesn't get the sims", and Chris remarks that games are supposed to be fun and an escape from reality.

However, in past shows Shane has mentioned his love for Animal Crossing. A game where you fish, pick fruit, decorate your house, work...? My observation is not to critique any game, I just don't find the argument consistent.

[el_centy]

Its like sex vs porn! please stay with me ;)

The sims you change the enviroments hence its like watching porn where as Animal Crossing its you, your character so thats like sex and lets be honest which is more fun.

[Chewbacca]

One answer: In Animal Crossing, I don't have to tell my character to go to the bathroom, then have them piss all over the place.

[jellyworld]

Haha :) The sex and porn analogy is perfect on a gameplay comparison. My point is that Animal Crossing is a life sim. You work, play, garden, etc. I think Animal Crossing is fun, but based on Shane and Chris' criteria I don't understand why they like it.

[phantom_triforce]

The Sims is fun ONLY on a PC. The handheld games suck (especially when they add a storyline). Animal Crossing was built for the DS IMO.

[Shane R. Monroe]

I suggest you read my review on The Urbz (http://www.monroeworld.com/reviews/review.php?id=4). Might help you out.

Animal Crossing offers SO MUCH MORE than a simple "life sim". There are large elements of collection involved - striving for completeness. There are seasonal changes - making the game different 4 times a year. There are secrets to uncover. The game also caps your activity every day. You play for about an hour, and you're done. There is a sense of "daily accomplishment" (much like Nintendogs did) vice "endless droning".

Again, check out my Urbz review.

[phantom_triforce]

I suggest you read my review on The Urbz (http://www.monroeworld.com/reviews/review.php?id=4). Might help you out.

Animal Crossing offers SO MUCH MORE than a simple "life sim". There are large elements of collection involved - striving for completeness. There are seasonal changes - making the game different 4 times a year. There are secrets to uncover. The game also caps your activity every day. You play for about an hour, and you're done. There is a sense of "daily accomplishment" (much like Nintendogs did) vice "endless droning".

Again, check out my Urbz review.

Meh. I played Urbz on the DS (borrowed it from a friend) and IMO the PC Sims are better. Animal Crossing is still a great game and people still play it because of the WiFi community aspect.

[jellyworld]

I suggest you read my review on The Urbz (http://www.monroeworld.com/reviews/review.php?id=4). Might help you out.

Animal Crossing offers SO MUCH MORE than a simple "life sim". There are large elements of collection involved - striving for completeness. There are seasonal changes - making the game different 4 times a year. There are secrets to uncover. The game also caps your activity every day. You play for about an hour, and you're done. There is a sense of "daily accomplishment" (much like Nintendogs did) vice "endless droning".

Again, check out my Urbz review.

What you described is my life! I collect constantly. My garage is a video game console graveyard, and it is a hobby I only could dream of completing. The last time I checked I experience seasons too. Ok fine I live in California, but I have heard about seasonal changes :) . Daily acomplishments? I have had a few.

To quote Chris: "Sims is not fun because you are doing things digitally that you've already done in real life." Don't take this as me defending The Sims (especially Urbz). My point was more along the lines that we tend to enjoy many games that do simulate life.

[WolfieSelkie]

the difference, as i see it, is that in Animal Crossing, you do things that you wouldn't normally do in real life.

most people don't go fishing, collect fossils, catch bugs and raid the trash for random furniture that your neighbours have thrown away :p

but The Sims... you have to juggle having showers, food, work, socialising within a time restraint... like real life in a way... everyone does these things.

in Animal Crossing you don't really have a time restraint, in the same way that you do in The Sims.

they might both be 'life sims' but they are massively different in the way that you have this 'life.'

Animal Crossing gives you the relaxing things you could do in your life if you had the time and the inclination. The Sims, however, has activities that are not relaxing in the slightest... the two games have totally different aims and are complete polar opposites within the 'life sim' genre and i can totally understand how someone could love Animal Crossing and hate The Sims.

[jellyworld]

Come on, who doesn't collect fossils and raid their neighbors trash on the weekends??

Well, now that this debate is over, I can finally go back to playing Sim City DS...

[listener#1]

i just want to say that animal crossing beats the sims 2 anyday, i only play the sims like 5:rolleyes: times a year