Counterpart Kart - MySims Racing Reviewed
MySims Racing for the Nintendo Wii. Developer: A2M, Publisher: Electronic Arts ESRB: E
With entries that feature drivers as varied as M&M’s and the impish Cocoto crew, there is no shortage of kart racers on the Wii. Unquestionably, the benchmark for the ubiquitous genre is the Mario Kart series, a seventeen-year old franchise that has received a significant amount of critical and commercial acclaim. The series isn’t known for radical innovation- each subsequent offering from Nintendo displays a gentle refinement to the model of miniaturized cars and drivers along with simplified racing mechanics.
The latest challenger for the kart-racing crown emanates from Artificial Mind and Movement, the developer behind the upcoming shooter WET. MySims Racing’s distinction is the title’s myriad of customization options; players can create their own avatar and vehicles using the game’s deep design system. Although many of these options are merely cosmetic, MySims allows players to improve their car’s performance in several ways, adding a bit of depth to the proceedings.
The title’s story mode delivers a collection of challenges via an expanding map, allowing players to befriend Sims in an effort to expand the MySim garage. The game conveniently doesn’t force racers to accept trials in any particular order, meaning players can empower a car to overcome a difficult challenge. Those anxious for a traditional race against the computer or other players, may jump directly into a contest from the main menu.
Unlike a majority of Wii games that forsake some of the Wii’s input methods, MySims Racing generously allows players to choose from a variety on control schemes. The title’s Wiimote, Gamecube, and Classic Controller option work impeccably, while the game’s Wiimote-only method inexplicably requires the device to be held on its side. The game’s driving model is splendidly complex, requiring players to master drifts, jumps, and vehicular combat for success.
Notably absent from MySims Racing is any kind of online multiplayer experience. While the game does have an admirable, split-screen, local component for up to four players, gamers accustomed to the net-play matchups found in Mario Kart Wii may be disappointed by the exclusion. The only other caveat with the title is the lack of selectable difficulty levels. While the game’s colorful and cartoonish graphics may be a beacon for younger gamers, the title’s difficulty may cause a bit of frustration with the under-eight crowd.
Graphically, MySims Racing is capable to exhibiting an impressive sense of speed when player is using the boost, or after being launched from one of the turbo pads that are scattered liberally across the game’s tracks. Although the tracks lack intricate visual sophistication, they are all vibrantly colored, and display a variety of themes, from a dusty old west track, to a shady bayou. The title’s single player framerate is habitually fluid in the single-player game, only dropping briefly when a crowd of opponents surrounds the player. Split screen multiplayer games reduce the overall refresh rate, although the game always manages a functional performance.
While Mario Kart Wii still reigns as the console’s kart racing champ, with its gratifying single and multiplayer options, MySims Racer takes a respectable second place in the genre. Players who have exhausted the energy from Nintendo’s diversion may want to consider adding MySims to their library- especially if they are looking for a racing game that can support a trio or quartet of players, simultaneously.
With entries that feature drivers as varied as M&M’s and the impish Cocoto crew, there is no shortage of kart racers on the Wii. Unquestionably, the benchmark for the ubiquitous genre is the Mario Kart series, a seventeen-year old franchise that has received a significant amount of critical and commercial acclaim. The series isn’t known for radical innovation- each subsequent offering from Nintendo displays a gentle refinement to the model of miniaturized cars and drivers along with simplified racing mechanics.
The latest challenger for the kart-racing crown emanates from Artificial Mind and Movement, the developer behind the upcoming shooter WET. MySims Racing’s distinction is the title’s myriad of customization options; players can create their own avatar and vehicles using the game’s deep design system. Although many of these options are merely cosmetic, MySims allows players to improve their car’s performance in several ways, adding a bit of depth to the proceedings.
The title’s story mode delivers a collection of challenges via an expanding map, allowing players to befriend Sims in an effort to expand the MySim garage. The game conveniently doesn’t force racers to accept trials in any particular order, meaning players can empower a car to overcome a difficult challenge. Those anxious for a traditional race against the computer or other players, may jump directly into a contest from the main menu.
Unlike a majority of Wii games that forsake some of the Wii’s input methods, MySims Racing generously allows players to choose from a variety on control schemes. The title’s Wiimote, Gamecube, and Classic Controller option work impeccably, while the game’s Wiimote-only method inexplicably requires the device to be held on its side. The game’s driving model is splendidly complex, requiring players to master drifts, jumps, and vehicular combat for success.
Notably absent from MySims Racing is any kind of online multiplayer experience. While the game does have an admirable, split-screen, local component for up to four players, gamers accustomed to the net-play matchups found in Mario Kart Wii may be disappointed by the exclusion. The only other caveat with the title is the lack of selectable difficulty levels. While the game’s colorful and cartoonish graphics may be a beacon for younger gamers, the title’s difficulty may cause a bit of frustration with the under-eight crowd.
Graphically, MySims Racing is capable to exhibiting an impressive sense of speed when player is using the boost, or after being launched from one of the turbo pads that are scattered liberally across the game’s tracks. Although the tracks lack intricate visual sophistication, they are all vibrantly colored, and display a variety of themes, from a dusty old west track, to a shady bayou. The title’s single player framerate is habitually fluid in the single-player game, only dropping briefly when a crowd of opponents surrounds the player. Split screen multiplayer games reduce the overall refresh rate, although the game always manages a functional performance.
While Mario Kart Wii still reigns as the console’s kart racing champ, with its gratifying single and multiplayer options, MySims Racer takes a respectable second place in the genre. Players who have exhausted the energy from Nintendo’s diversion may want to consider adding MySims to their library- especially if they are looking for a racing game that can support a trio or quartet of players, simultaneously.
Wow sounds a lot like Mario kart, except with customization. Youd thing the Sims would make something different.
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Just tell me they don't speak "Simish"
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Looks fun. How much are they selling it for?
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Is that a mummy driving a halloween car? Cool enough for me.
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Zero interest in this one. I bought Mart Kart Wii and barely play it.
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I believe I've played enough kart racers to skip MySims
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I TOTALLY agree with the review. I gameflyed it for the kids 7, and 10. They found it frustrating. It should have a kids difficulty level, I mean it looks like a kids game. Bad one, EA.
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I entered the article expecting nothing but reminders that it would be bland and uninspired. I guess i was wrong, not my cup of tea but I'm glad they're making games that lack potential and making them decent.
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IGN said it was designed because Sims players indicated they liked kart racers on a marketing survey.
They didn't ask me, and I've played the hell out of Sims 3.
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I'm really surprised there's no MP. Maybe they didn't want to mess with friend codes.
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LOL. Kotaku sends less than an hour with it
http://kotaku.com/5207400/mysims-racing-preview-its-what-mario-kart-wii-should-be
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"The game feels more like Mario Kart 64 than Mario Kart Wii did"
OK, sure. Kotaku loses even more credibility.
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I might indulge if the price goes down to $20.
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I bought the DS version, and it was a much worse framerate than mario kart DS. It doesn't feel smooth at all.
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I always thought the Sims were about SIMulated AI. Beyond driving, is that is the game?
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Sound kinda cool. I'll give it a rent.
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I love Mario Kart, maybe I'll get this too.
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Good review. kart racing can be so fun with groups of people? Any minigames?
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My kids might like this one. They liked the last MySims game- Kingdom.
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How was that one? I almost picked it up once.
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I like the map in the middle of the 4 player game. That's a cool idea.
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I bit they will make a Sims platformer soon enough.
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The graphics look pretty cute. No multi is kind of a deal killer.
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Will you guys review the DS game, too?
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I loved Crash Team Racing way back when. This look similar.
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I loved that too, is it on PSN, yet?
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I was really disappointed with the last MySims game, I hope this is better.
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Since this is only $10 less than Mario Kart Wii, I'll pick up that one first.
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Other web sites haven't been so kind with this one.
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Mario Kart Wii is all the kart racing I need, thanks.
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