Jump to content

The Sims Bustin' Out

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
(Redirected from Sims Bustin' Out)

The Sims Bustin' Out
North American Xbox cover art
Developer(s)Maxis
Griptonite Games (GBA)
Ideaworks3D (NGE)
Publisher(s)EA Games
Designer(s)Sean Baity
Writer(s)Sean Baity
Composer(s)Jerry Martin
SeriesThe Sims
Platform(s)N-Gage, PlayStation 2, Xbox, GameCube, Game Boy Advance
ReleaseGame Boy Advance, GameCube, PS2, Xbox
  • NA: December 16, 2003
  • EU: December 19, 2003
  • AU: February 27, 2004
  • JP: February 29, 2004 (as The Sims)
N-Gage
  • EU: May 10, 2004
  • NA: May 12, 2004
  • JP: May 23, 2004
Genre(s)Social simulation game
Mode(s)Single-player, multiplayer

The Sims Bustin' Out is a video game developed by Maxis and published by Electronic Arts in 2003 for the PlayStation 2, Xbox, GameCube, Game Boy Advance, and in 2004 for the N-Gage. It is the second title in The Sims console series and the first title not concurrently released on Windows PC.

It features the same 3D environment and engine the past game did but adds several features from The Sims expansion packs: Livin' Large, House Party, Hot Date, and Superstar. As the title suggests, Sims can get out of the house to visit other locations, such as Shiny Things Lab or Casa Caliente. There are two modes: Bust Out Mode, which has mission-based gameplay, and Freeplay Mode, which is open-ended gameplay much like the original The Sims PC game. The PlayStation 2 version once featured the option to play online; it was shut down on August 1, 2008, the same day The Sims Online shut down.

The Game Boy Advance and N-Gage version has its own storyline. The Game Boy Advance and Nintendo DS version of The Urbz: Sims in the City, released in 2004, serves as a sequel to this version.

Gameplay

[edit]

In the console version, Malcolm Landgraab is going around his neighborhood, stealing items in return for unpaid rent. The player's objective is to complete each career track, unlock and buy back everyone's many possessions, and become rich enough to evict Malcolm from his mansion and move their own Sim in. Furnishing items are unlocked through the completion of different objectives. Aside from the objectives, gameplay is similar to previous Sims titles.

The Game Boy Advance (GBA) and N-Gage version puts the player's Sim in "SimValley" for a summer holiday. Like the console version, GBA/N-Gage version gameplay is objective-based – every time the player completes a series of tasks, the game progresses. In this game, there are no furnishing objects to unlock. Instead, the player must complete all tasks to unlock new houses. Deviating from the "point-and-click" selection process used in every previous Sims title, this version allows the user to control their Sim directly, using the GBA's directional pad. In these versions, new mini-games (jobs for the Sims) are unlocked progressively when certain tasks are done. The GBA and N-Gage versions are largely the same, but the N-Gage version has an exclusive feature that allows Sims to collect three cartridges from various locations and play classic games such as Snake on the Sims' mobile phone.

In both versions, there are various locations that Sims may visit throughout the course of the game. As Sims advance through the game, new areas become accessible.

Online features

[edit]

The PlayStation version of Bustin' Out featured a free online play mode titled "Online Weekend". This mode allowed players to participate in both freeplay and storymode with each other and chat using the USB keyboard on the PlayStation 2. The server for the game shut down on August 1, 2008, the same day The Sims Online was shut down, rendering the game impossible to play online.

Development and release

[edit]

Bustin' Out was announced by EA at E3 in May 2003.[1] Intended as a "bigger and better" sequel to the 2003 console port of The Sims, Maxis project designer Mike Perry stated that Bustin' Out was created to build on player feedback from the previous port, aiming to introduce "a bigger world to explore" by expanding the number of locations and integrating better multiplayer features.[2] Design of the port also aimed to introduce better console and multiplatform features, integrating the online functionality of the PlayStation 2, Link Cable features between GameCube and GBA versions of the game, and HDTV support for the Xbox.[3] Development of a handheld version of Bustin' Out was developed from March 2003, with Maxis engaging Seattle developer Griptonite Games to implement the game to the GBA.[4][5] Producer Virginia McArthur stated that the design approach aimed to retain the "signature look and feel" of The Sims, whilst exploring new features unique to handheld play, including direct control of sim movement, close-up social interactions, and a stores and auction system.[6] A version of Bustin' Out for the N-Gage was announced by Nokia and EA in January 2004.[7]

Reception

[edit]

Sales

[edit]

The PlayStation 2 version of Bustin' Out received a "Platinum" sales award from the Entertainment and Leisure Software Publishers Association (ELSPA),[8] indicating sales of at least 300,000 units in the UK.[9]

Reviews

[edit]

Bustin' Out received "favorable" reviews on all platforms according to the review aggregation website Metacritic.[10][11][12][13][14]

Console

[edit]

Reviewers generally praised the overarching premise of Bustin' Out. Several reviews noting that the game's focus on career progression added challenge to the game against the balance of managing sim needs.[44][29] GamePro considered the gameplay loop of Bustin Out to be "marginally successful", praising its pacing and goal-oriented gameplay but noting that a single-character approach contrasted with the design of The Sims.[25]

Many reviews discussed the new ability for players to see sims travel between lots. Thierry Nguyen of Official PlayStation Magazine characterised the feature as a "huge gameplay change" with the variety of lots to live in adding replayability to the game.[48] Tom Bramwell of Eurogamer commended the "wonderful variety" of people and places to visit, and the increasing scale of the game's locations "from boring to exotic".[17] Mary Jane Irwin of IGN critiqued the travel mechanics, describing them as an "active load screen" due to the inability to see the map or alter any aspect other than the selected destination.[44]

Critics were divided on the game's visual presentation and performance. Andrew Park of GameSpot highlighted the "colourful" and "simple" visual design of the game.[29] Some multiplatform reviewers noted uneven performance between versions, with the Xbox having a better presentation and performance overall.[25][29] Tom Bramwell of Eurogamer found the game's presentation to be slightly dated and exhibit "ropey" performance, lacking transition animations and close-up details.[17] GamePro described the graphics as "slightly sloppy".[25] Mary Jane Irwin of IGN found the visuals to be serviceable but "not outstanding" and broadly similar to the previous year's port.[44]

Critics were also mixed on the standalone merits of the game in as a revision of the port of The Sims released the previous year. Thierry Nguyen of PlayStation Magazine described the game as a "perfect sequel" due to correcting the weakness of the previous game, adding new features, and maintaining the core vision of the series.[48] Andrew Park of GameSpy considered the game to have made "solid improvements" on its predecessor due to the additional gameplay features.[29] Tom Bramwell of Eurogamer found Bustin Out to be "more or less the same" as the many "expansions and reworkings" of the franchise's basic formula.[17] GamePro similarly described it as no more than an "extension" to the original game.[25] Mary Jane Irwin of IGN noted the game lacked new features and did not introduce "revolutionary" changes to the series.[44]

Handheld

[edit]

The Times gave the N-Gage version all five stars, saying, "The graphics are sublime, though this scaled-down version does have its limitations: there are, for example, no 'Simspeak' exchanges since the conversations are all text-based. Still, Bustin' Out should help to broaden the appeal of the nGage."[49] The Village Voice gave the PlayStation 2 version a score of nine out of ten, saying, "The devil's in the details ... mundane or fun, everything recedes into a heartbeat of flushing, snoring, and Simlish."[50] Advance noted that the game was not a "faithful conversion" of The Sims due to being "substantially cut down" in features, comparing it more closely to the Harvest Moon series.[51]

Accolades

[edit]

Bustin' Out was awarded "Console Family Game of the Year" at the AIAS' 7th Annual Interactive Achievement Awards.[52]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Varanini, Giancarlo (May 9, 2003). "EA reveals E3 lineup". GameSpot. Retrieved February 21, 2024.
  2. ^ "Designer Diary #1 - The Sims Bustin' Out". GameSpot. August 28, 2003. Retrieved February 21, 2024.
  3. ^ "The Sims Bustin' Out Designer Diary 4". GameSpot. December 16, 2003. Retrieved February 21, 2024.
  4. ^ Harris, Craig (September 20, 2003). "The Sims: Bustin' Out Q&A". IGN. Retrieved February 21, 2024.
  5. ^ "Chat With Virginia McArthur About The Sims Bustin' Out". Sims Network. October 16, 2003. Retrieved February 21, 2024.
  6. ^ "The Sims Bustin' Out Q&A". GameSpot. July 1, 2003. Retrieved February 21, 2024.
  7. ^ Calvert, Justin (January 12, 2004). "The Sims Bustin' Out for N-Gage". GameSpot. Retrieved February 21, 2024.
  8. ^ "ELSPA Sales Awards: Platinum". Entertainment and Leisure Software Publishers Association. Archived from the original on May 15, 2009.
  9. ^ Caoili, Eric (November 26, 2008). "ELSPA: Wii Fit, Mario Kart Reach Diamond Status In UK". Game Developer. Informa. Archived from the original on September 18, 2017. Retrieved March 13, 2022.
  10. ^ a b "The Sims Bustin' Out for Game Boy Advance Reviews [game mislabeled as "Tak and the Power of Juju"]". Metacritic. Red Ventures. Archived from the original on September 13, 2008. Retrieved March 13, 2022.
  11. ^ a b "The Sims Bustin' Out for GameCube Reviews". Metacritic. Red Ventures. Archived from the original on February 24, 2019. Retrieved November 24, 2013.
  12. ^ a b "Sims Bustin' Out, The (ngage: 2004): Reviews". Metacritic. CNET. Archived from the original on September 13, 2008. Retrieved March 13, 2022.
  13. ^ a b "The Sims Bustin' Out for PlayStation 2 Reviews". Metacritic. Red Ventures. Archived from the original on February 14, 2019. Retrieved November 24, 2013.
  14. ^ a b "The Sims Bustin' Out for Xbox Reviews". Metacritic. Red Ventures. Archived from the original on February 5, 2019. Retrieved November 24, 2013.
  15. ^ EGM staff (January 2004). "The Sims: Bustin' Out (GBA)". Electronic Gaming Monthly. No. 174. Ziff Davis. p. 164.
  16. ^ a b c Tsao, Jennifer; Linn, Demian; Shepherd, Carrie (January 2004). "The Sims: Bustin' Out (GC, PS2, Xbox)". Electronic Gaming Monthly. No. 174. Ziff Davis. p. 132. Archived from the original on March 27, 2004. Retrieved March 14, 2022.
  17. ^ a b c d e f Bramwell, Tom (January 23, 2004). "The Sims' Bustin Out [sic] (GC, PS2, Xbox)". Eurogamer. Gamer Network. Archived from the original on February 2, 2019. Retrieved March 13, 2022.
  18. ^ "ザ・シムズ (GBA)". Famitsu (in Japanese). Vol. 788. Enterbrain. January 23, 2004. Retrieved March 13, 2022.
  19. ^ "ザ・シムズ (PS2)". Famitsu (in Japanese). Vol. 788. Enterbrain. January 23, 2004. Retrieved March 13, 2022.
  20. ^ Helgeson, Matt (January 2004). "The Sims Bustin' Out (GBA)". Game Informer. No. 129. GameStop. p. 160. Archived from the original on November 4, 2005. Retrieved March 13, 2022.
  21. ^ Helgeson, Matt (January 2004). "The Sims Bustin' Out (GC)". Game Informer. No. 128. GameStop. p. 140. Archived from the original on November 21, 2008. Retrieved March 13, 2022.
  22. ^ Mason, Lisa (July 2004). "The Sims: Bustin' Out (N-Gage)". Game Informer. No. 135. GameStop. p. 123.
  23. ^ Mason, Lisa (January 2004). "The Sims Bustin' Out (PS2)". Game Informer. No. 129. GameStop. p. 130. Archived from the original on January 22, 2008. Retrieved March 13, 2022.
  24. ^ Star Dingo (December 3, 2003). "The Sims: Bustin' Out Review for Game Boy Advance on GamePro.com". GamePro. IDG Entertainment. Archived from the original on December 16, 2004. Retrieved March 14, 2022.
  25. ^ a b c d e f g Star Dingo (December 16, 2003). "The Sims: Bustin' Out (GC, PS2, Xbox)". GamePro. IGN Enteetainment. Archived from the original on December 16, 2004. Retrieved March 14, 2022.
  26. ^ Test Monkey (June 9, 2004). "The Sims: Bustin' Out Review for N-Gage on GamePro.com". GamePro. IDG Entertainment. Archived from the original on December 9, 2004. Retrieved March 14, 2022.
  27. ^ a b c A.A. White (January 2004). "[The] Sims: Bustin' Out Review (GC, PS2, Xbox)". GameRevolution. CraveOnline. Archived from the original on September 29, 2015. Retrieved March 15, 2022.
  28. ^ Park, Andrew Seyoon (December 11, 2003). "The Sims Bustin' Out Review (GBA)". GameSpot. Red Ventures. Archived from the original on December 14, 2004. Retrieved March 13, 2022.
  29. ^ a b c d e f g Park, Andrew Seyoon (December 16, 2003). "The Sims Bustin' Out Review (GC, PS2, Xbox)". GameSpot. Red Ventures. Archived from the original on December 8, 2004. Retrieved March 13, 2022.
  30. ^ Davis, Ryan (June 8, 2004). "The Sims Bustin' Out Review (N-Gage) [date mislabeled as "May 17, 2006"]". GameSpot. Red Ventures. Archived from the original on December 4, 2004. Retrieved March 13, 2022.
  31. ^ Padilla, Raymond (December 29, 2003). "GameSpy: The Sims Bustin' Out (GBA)". GameSpy. IGN Entertainment. Archived from the original on April 1, 2007. Retrieved March 13, 2022.
  32. ^ Fryman, Avi (December 18, 2003). "GameSpy: The Sims Bustin' Out (GCN)". GameSpy. IGN Entertainment. Archived from the original on April 30, 2023. Retrieved March 13, 2022.
  33. ^ Leeper, Justin (June 7, 2004). "GameSpy: The Sims Bustin' Out (NNG)". GameSpy. IGN Entertainment. Archived from the original on June 13, 2007. Retrieved March 13, 2022.
  34. ^ Fryman, Avi (December 18, 2003). "GameSpy: The Sims Bustin' Out (PS2)". GameSpy. IGN Entertainment. Archived from the original on April 26, 2023. Retrieved March 13, 2022.
  35. ^ Fryman, Avi (December 18, 2003). "GameSpy: The Sims Bustin' Out (Xbox)". GameSpy. IGN Entertainment. Archived from the original on April 16, 2022. Retrieved March 13, 2022.
  36. ^ McElfish, Carlos (December 21, 2003). "The Sims Bustin' Out - GBA - Review". GameZone. Archived from the original on October 10, 2008. Retrieved March 15, 2022.
  37. ^ McElfish, Carlos (January 9, 2004). "The Sims Bustin' Out - GC - Review". GameZone. Archived from the original on December 23, 2008. Retrieved March 15, 2022.
  38. ^ Knutson, Michael (July 26, 2004). "The Sims Bustin' Out - NG - Review". GameZone. Archived from the original on December 7, 2008. Retrieved March 15, 2022.
  39. ^ Valentino, Nick (December 29, 2003). "The Sims Bustin' Out - PS2 - Review". GameZone. Archived from the original on February 5, 2009. Retrieved March 15, 2022.
  40. ^ Surette, Tim (January 1, 2004). "The Sims Bustin' Out - XB - Review". GameZone. Archived from the original on May 25, 2008. Retrieved March 15, 2022.
  41. ^ Harris, Craig (December 1, 2003). "The Sims: Bustin' Out (GBA)". IGN. Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on February 2, 2019. Retrieved March 13, 2022.
  42. ^ Irwin, Mary Jane (December 12, 2003). "The Sims Bustin' Out (GCN)". IGN. IGN Entertainment. Archived from the original on December 29, 2007. Retrieved March 13, 2022.
  43. ^ Rodriguez, Tyrone (August 13, 2004). "The Sims Bustin' Out Review (NNG)". IGN. Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on February 4, 2019. Retrieved March 13, 2022.
  44. ^ a b c d e f Irwin, Mary Jane (December 12, 2003). "The Sims: Bustin' Out (PS2, Xbox)". IGN. Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on March 13, 2022. Retrieved March 13, 2022.
  45. ^ "The Sims Bustin' Out (GBA)". Nintendo Power. Vol. 176. Nintendo of America. February 2004. p. 151.
  46. ^ "The Sims Bustin' Out (GC)". Nintendo Power. Vol. 176. Nintendo of America. February 2004. p. 146.
  47. ^ "The Sims Bustin' Out". Official Xbox Magazine. Imagine Media. Christmas 2003. p. 104.
  48. ^ a b Nguyen, Thierry (January 2004). "The Sims: Bustin' Out". Official U.S. PlayStation Magazine. No. 76. Ziff Davis. p. 126. Archived from the original on January 20, 2004. Retrieved March 13, 2022.
  49. ^ Wapshott, Tim (June 12, 2004). "The Sims Bustin' Out (N-Gage)". The Times. Archived from the original on July 24, 2008. Retrieved March 13, 2022.(subscription required)
  50. ^ Catucci, Nick (January 6, 2004). "Go, and Sim Some More: Bustin' Out Is a Religious Experience (PS2)". The Village Voice. Village Voice, LLC. Archived from the original on March 13, 2022. Retrieved March 13, 2022.
  51. ^ Anthony, Scott (December 2003). "The Sims Bustin' Out". Advance. No. 6. p. 66.
  52. ^ "7th Annual Interactive Achievement Award Winners Announced". writerswrite.com. Writers Write. Archived from the original on January 9, 2023. Retrieved August 3, 2023.
[edit]


Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=The_Sims_Bustin%27_Out&oldid=1248364440"