Go back in time with The Sims Medieval

4 Aug, 2010

I used to care about The Sims franchise once upon a time, alas that ship has since sailed. However, I’ve got to admit the newly announced title “The Sims Medieval” did catch my interest because I had always hoped for a Sims game in a historical setting so I could set up a neighbourhood with a functioning class system and more deep stories. When I read that “Creativity will soar as players tell stories like never before full of drama, romance, conflict, and comedy.” I started to get excited as I thought this could easily turn into the game I had always wanted.
The game’s graphics look incredibility nice however, and the game seems to use the same graphics engine as The Sims 3. The environments shown in the screenshots also look very nice, and the castle shown looks very impressive and seems perfect set amongst all the greenery.

However, after reading more about it, it seems unlikely I will pick this game up, which has also been the case for recent Sims 3 expansion packs. The reason for this is that “It (the game) provides a host of storytelling possibilities in the form of quests”. My main problem with The Sims 3 was that it felt like it was trying to cater too much to MMO/RPG players with its in game quests and challenges, and this never appealed to me. I imagine I am not the only Sims player who feels the same, and I wonder how many of the core Sims audience will pick up this title. Until The Sims series makes a return to its roots, this could be the first of many Sims games I avoid.

GET MEDIEVAL WITH NEW SERIES FROM EA’S AWARD-WINNING THE SIMS STUDIO
The Sims Medieval Provides A Fresh Setting, Innovative Gameplay, and All-New Features Unlike Anything Ever Seen Within The Franchise
GUILDFORD, UK., August 3, 2010 – Go back in time and get medieval! The EA Play Label of Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ: ERTS) today announced The SimsTM Medieval, a new series currently in development that places the popular SimsTM characters from The SimsTM game into the Middle Ages and brings players robust, compelling gameplay never seen before in the history of The Sims. For the first time, players can create heroes, venture on quests, build and control a kingdom, and play every Hero Sim TM character in the land. Creativity will soar as players tell stories like never before full of drama, romance, conflict, and comedy.

“The Middle Ages is a time of intrigue, legend, and excitement. It offers a perfect backdrop for a brand new series from The Sims studio due to the limitless stories that can be told,” said Scott Evans, General Manager of The Sims Studio at EA. “The Sims Medieval offers a new way for players to experience The Sims which we hope fans will enjoy, and it features gameplay that fans of strategy and role-playing games will find appealing such as controlling an entire kingdom and quest-based gameplay mechanics.”

The Sims Medieval offers players a chance to build up a medieval kingdom, controlling characters from all walks of life, from Kings and Queens, to Knights and Wizards, Blacksmiths and Bards. It provides a host of storytelling possibilities in the form of quests, from crafting a legendary sword to arranging a royal wedding, to protecting the kingdom from an evil sorcerer, to finding the fountain of youth. Every quest plays out differently depending on which Hero Sim the player is controlling.

The destiny of the kingdom rests in the players’ hands. Will players build up their kingdom through internal expansion, or perhaps look for a more imperial type of domination, expanding their rule by conquering territories? Will they take on quests in pursuit of fame, or focus on the health and wellbeing of their people? The choice is theirs! With the start of every new game, players will be able to select a new ambition for their kingdom, and embark on a new set of stories.

Everything in The Sims Medieval is crafted to create an immersive medieval world, from the quest-based gameplay, to the medieval objects such as swords and stocks and thrones, right down to the warm look of the characters, and the painterly approach to the world itself. Players can choose to customize every new Hero that comes to the kingdom, including selecting their traits and their fatal flaw. Players get close to their characters, not only sending them on epic quests, but also making sure they carry out their daily responsibilities such as healing the sick, trading for exotic goods, or forging armor. From having a baby to competing in a royal tournament, what happens to their Sims is up to the player. The time of romance and chivalry is back with The Sims Medieval.

Developed by The Sims Studio, The Sims Medieval for PC/Mac will be available in spring 2011 and has not yet been rated by PEGI. To download artwork, please visit www.electronicarts.co.uk/press. For more information about The Sims Medieval please visit www.info.ea.com or the official website at www.TheSimsMedieval.com.