MySims

MySims is a Sims-related game developed for Nintendo Wii. The game was the first of a spin-off franchise of games under the same title. Other games in the series include: MySims Kingdom, MySims Party, MySims Racing, MySims Agents and MySims Skyheroes. The series is known for it's cartoony, cosy, anime-esque artstyle, which is compared to that of Animal Crossing.

Development

Released in 2007, the game originally had the working title of "The Sims Wii", and was developed by the EA Redwood Shores studios, later Visceral Games. Originally developed for Nintendo Wii, the game would be ported to PC, being the only game in the series with a PC version. The PC version benefitted from additional content not seen in the Wii version, including additional characters and areas, as well as an online mode.

The game also has Nintendo DS and mobile versions, but with a substantially different premise and gameplay style to the PC/Wii version. The mobile version was released for feature phones and Blackberry, developed by Barbaroga based in Chicago while the DS version was made by Japanese TOSE Co. Both the DS and Mobile version share their own premise, but with differing graphics and limitations to gameplay due to the varying hardware limitations between the two versions.

Differences and Similarities to The Sims

Gameplay

Unlike the PC version, MySims has a gameplay style and premise similar to Animal Crossing. You play as your Sim, who is a Royal Wandolier who has set up home in the new town and has to help Mayor Rosalyn P. Marshall rebuild the town and make the townfolks happy. Like typical Sims games, you have Create-A-Sim (CAS), where you can create your character. You can also name the town. You collect 'essences' from either mining, fishing, prospecting or cutting down trees. Essences are used to colour buildings in Building Mode or Objects crafted in the workshop.

Build/Craft

Unlike Build/Buy mode from The Sims, or using an in-game currency like Simoleons, you use your wand powers to build buildings and objects (furniture, sculptures, etc) from blocks. As you progress through the game, you unlock more shapes to use in building, as well as unlocking blueprints to build new objects for these buildings, often homes or businesses.

Artstyle

Unlike most mainline Sims titles, with Sims's having more realistic anatomy and proportions, MySims has an artstyle inspired by games like Animal Crossing or Mii avatars found on the Nintendo Wii, having a cartoony, cutesy or and anime-like artstyle. The world also shares this cartoony aesthetic.

Other Differences

Unlike the mainline titles, MySim's is a lot more child and family friendly in that it removes many features often seen from other Sim's games, such as Needs (bladder, hunger, energy), Skills (cooking, cleaning) or the Wants/Fears system as introduced in The Sims 2, Wishes in Sims 3 or lifetime goals to fulfill.