SimAnimals Africa

Nintendo exclusive

Serving to launch a new series of videogames in the Sims franchise, SimAnimals features many elements of the classic Sims experience, adapted to the Wii motion controls and featuring forest animals instead of human beings. Over 30 species of animals are available in such settings as swamps, forests, junkyards, orchards and rivers.

Released: 21 January 2009
Platforms: Nintendo DS Wii
Genres: Biological simulation Life simulation Simulation
Developers: Electronic Arts
Publishers: Electronic Arts
Modes: Single-player
Perspective: Bird view / Isometric
Country: United States
Age ratings: ESRB E
Languages: English, French, Japanese, Dutch, German, Portuguese
Composers: Winifred Phillips

About

SimAnimals is a life simulation video game published by Electronic Arts for the Nintendo DS and Wii console systems. It was released on January 21, 2009, in North America. It was released on January 30, 2009, in Europe and on February 5, 2009, in Australia. A sequel, SimAnimals Africa, was released for Wii and Nintendo DS on October 27, 2009.

Keywords

life simulation
management
artificial intelligence
fox
talking animals
squirrel
anthropomorphism
polygonal 3d

Media

The articlegameplay, story, development, reception

Gameplay

The game has the player in a similar role as in The Sims controlling a disembodied hand in which the player manipulates over 30 types of animals, and creates their habitat around them. The animals evolve personalities depending on how the user treats (or mistreats) them.

The players can use the animals to solve challenges and achieve goals by discovering secrets, unlocking forest areas and uncovering one-of-a-kind objects and wild animals, some with special abilities, by having the animals successfully complete tasks.

Development

The music for SimAnimals was composed by Winifred Phillips and produced by Winnie Waldron.

The music from the game was released on January 13, 2009, as a digital download album by E.A.R.S. EA Recordings. The SimAnimals soundtrack album was released to positive reviews and high scores, including a 9.5 out of 10 from Michael Pascua of The Celebrity Cafe, a 90 out of 100 from Jeremy Hill of Gamertell, and a 9 out of 10 from the music review site VGM Rush.

Reception

SimAnimals has a score of 60% on Metacritic, which indicates mixed or average reviews, and 69% on GameRankings.

3, writing, "The Sims franchise is insanely popular for a reason, and growing a community, whether it be man or animal, is rewarding. But no effort has been put into the presentation here. The game doesn't run smoothly, the forest is unattractive, and the controls aren't user-friendly. The game garnered some positive reviews.