Editorial Review

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone is the perfect game forPotter fans who've read the books, seen the movie, and still want more of J.K.Rowling's amazing world. As would-be wizard Harry Potter, you can run amuck in avirtual Hogwarts, learn to cast spells, play Quidditch, eat chocolate frogs,talk with teachers and classmates, and, of course, try to defeatYou-Know-Who.

This is one of those rare games that both very young kids and their parents willbe able to enjoy. You don't need the hair-trigger reflexes of a 13-year-oldNintendo ninja to explore the complex and mysterious world of Hogwarts School ofWitchcraft and Wizardry. In fact, exploring the school is half the fun. Thereare secret passages, shifting staircases, and dangerous shrubbery wherever youlook. The ultimate battle at the end is suitably challenging, but overall, thegame is fairly forgiving. And you don't have to discover every single nook andcranny in order to pass to the next level.

Interacting with one's fellow students is also fun, and a real treat for seriousPotter fans. As in the books, some schoolmates are helpful, some are rude, andsome are simply awestruck when they meet you, the famous Harry Potter. Nearlyall the characters from the book can be found in the game, including Potter palsHermione Granger and Ron Weasley. Some characters are even more fully realizedthan they were in the movie: Fred and George Weasley, for instance, are alwayspopping up in unexpected places via elaborate secret doors. Thanks to excellentvoice work and diligent artistry from the game developers, the characters in thegame look and sound like the characters from the film.

It's hard not to lose yourself in the lush graphics and delightfulconversations, but as Professor McGonagall might say, Harry is at Hogwarts tolearn, not to socialize! The way you learn and perform spells is clever: youmust trace a specific onscreen pattern with the mouse. Accuracy and speed inyour lessons wins house points for Gryffindor. Aside from your schoolwork, youmust win Quidditch matches, solve mysteries, and eventually confrontYou-Know-Who.

The game is charming, but it is unfortunately obvious that a few corners werecut. For instance, sometimes solid walls can go semitransparent from certainangles, and the edges of the oval-shaped Quidditch Pitch look blocky andamateurish. The game also has a few bugs here and there. And finally,disappointingly, the pictures don't move. Still, the fun of this game is not inthe playing of the game itself. The main fun lies in progressing through andinteracting with J.K. Rowling's unforgettable universe. On that point, the gameis a huge success. --Eric Fredrickson

Pros:

• Talking with the characters from the book/movie
• Sneaking around Hogwarts under the Invisibility Cloak
• Quidditch
• Easy navigation

• Obvious that a few corners were cut in making the game
• Relatively primitive 3-D graphics
• Hogwarts pictures don't move

Features

• Explore rich environments from the colorful Burrow to the dark reaches of the Forbidden Forest.
• Master new spells including Expeliarmus, Diffendo, and Skurge.
• Overcome dangerous foes from Aragog to the Basilisk.
• Take flight to play improved Quidditch.
• Interact with new characters from J.K. Rowling's world, including Dobby, Lockhart, and Ginny Weasley.

Reviews (87)

geting better
This game is better than the first harry potter but don't get me rong I liked the first also.this is another must have for harry potter fans.

One great game
This is the best of the 4 Harry Potter games. The graphics are good,the music is good,and the gameplay is great. The spells you learn are really creative. This is the hardest Harry Potter game I've played. However,you have to restart the game to acsoss the Main Menu.

Features

• Frodo, Aragorn, and Gandalf are all playable characters, each with his own unqiue characteristics.
• Dyanmic character development system allows characters to learn new attacks and skills as they proceed through the game.
• Many regions to explore, including The Shire, Old Forest, Bree, Lothlorien, Moria, and Weathertop
• Beautiful 3D cinematic cut scenes deliver key story elements.
• Favorite characters from the story appear in the game, including Tom Bombadil, Farmer Maggot, Old Man Willow, the Balrog, and more.

Reviews (177)

Lost interest
This game was too difficult and too slow to maintain my interest. The plus side is that it is fun just to explore Middle Earth. If you have read the books, you'll enjoy seeing the written story protrayed in 3D. However, if you get stuck on problem-solving then you'll just stay in one area and quickly lose interest in playing.

Perhaps different levels of play (easy, difficult, expert) would allow inexperienced players like myself to enjoy the game.

Point of view
This game is fun, and is faithful to the book It is great to actually play as a character in Middle Earth, and wander in the Shire, etc.This is really the first PC game I have ever bought with the exception of Age of Mythology, and Buck Rogers about a million years ago on a PC in the Age of The Dinosaurs, so it is fun learning to play.I do have several problems with this game.The first is the white flashing when it starts, and also in the "movies" that occur from time to time.I do not like that you cannot choose which character you play, and are limited to Frodo, Aragorn, and Gandalf. I also have problems with the point of view of the character that you are playing.Sometimes it is impossible to see what is going on, or the character gets "stuck" in a wall or something.Movement is often limited down a predetermined path.This gets quite annoying at times.I am not finished playing ( I am to Moria) so I will see how the rest of the game goes, but all in all it has been fun so far.

More adventure than action, different from the other games
I played the PC version but it's also available on the PS2 and XBOX.

The Fellowship of the Ring is a fun, if short, romp through the first book in the Lord of the Rings trilogy. It is not related to either The Hobbit (by Sierra) or the Return of the King or The Two Towers (both by EA Games). It is a pretty straightforward action adventure with simple quests and relatively easy-to-defeat foes.

What to expect:
*On the "action to adventure" scale, this game is heavier on the adventure side with simple puzzles and quests. There is definitely some combat and stealth involved, but you will find nothing like the endless hordes of foes that you'd encounter in the other Rings titles. (I love those games, by the way, this is just a very different experience.)
*This is a 3D action adventure that uses typical navigation: Move the mouse to look around, click the mouse buttons to perform actions and fight, use the keyboard to move.
*You'll get to play as a number of different characters in sequences that more or less parallel the first book in the Rings trilogy.
*If you're familiar with Tolkien's books, you'll find that this game is often more faithful to the source material than the recent films, and you'll meet some characters that the film left out.

What's good:
*The general production of the game (graphics, music, acting, cutscenes) is rather high quality. Some of the environs are very pretty while still being stylistically distinct from the films. It was very cool to casually wander around Bag End and Hobbiton.
*While the diverse gameplay may be distressing to some, I rather enjoyed it. At one moment you might be doing a simple search-and-deliver quest, at another moment you might be attempting to sneak by enemies or neighbors unnoticed. The combat sequences present their own challenges, depending on which character you're playing, or the specific weaknesses of your foes.
*All dialog is voiced, and it's done pretty well.

What's bad:
*It's actually unfortunate that the levels in this game are so attractive and interesting, because there are a lot of "invisible barriers" that will keep you from exploring them very thoroughly. Usually you can only run down a specific path and are prevented from jumping fences or running through fields. I would have really loved to be able to roam more freely throughout the games various areas.
*Companion AI is somewhat spotty. There are different times when you are accompanied by important figures from the story, but your friends have a tendency to fall behind, and they don't always fight back when attacked.
*It's too short. It's funny, because when I think back about the game, there are a LOT of locations and neat things to do. I guess it was just so easy that it didn't take long to accomplish all the goals. So, the game doesn't take very long to play, but you'll do a whole lot of stuff along the way.
*There's a stealth sequence involving the Nazgul (the ringwraiths) that's easily the most difficult portion of the game- unfortunately, it happens very early on and might threaten to dissuade the casual gamer from continuing. My advice: Find a walkthrough perhaps, or just try a lot of different hiding spots- there are a number of ways to get past this part. It'll get easier and less frustrating soon after.

Difficulty (from Very Easy to Very Hard): Easy

My rating (from Very Bad to Very Good): Good

Editorial Review

Sex and aliens. That's really all that was missing from the amazingoriginal edition of The Sims, and the expansion Livin' Largedelivers these new treats to liven up your beloved Sims existence.

New characters (including a gladiator and Xena-like warriors), and, moreimpressively, new decorations are the reasons to buy this game. Thefurnishingsare mostly grouped by theme, with the medieval dungeon option the mostauthoritative of the bunch. (Little Cassandra Goth has been longing toread by torch light all along.)

Our personal favorite is the futuristic theme, with an optional, butexpensive,maid/gardener robot to take care of the fabulous modern furnishings. ClearlytheSims team has been doing its research over at Herman Miller, and you'll have abright red, flowing-foam sofa to show for it.

But it wouldn't be The Sims if only good taste prevailed. Bring on themai tais with a tiki-heavy islander theme. There's also a startling collectionof carpeting and objects best grouped under the design ideal we call "dementedclown."

The attention-getting rarities include: a lame fortune-telling ball (ouradvicemostly centered around hiring a maid), a voodoo doll for hexing roommates,and agenie who delivers as much bad as good (dead plants, anyone?). And, yes,there'sa vibrating bed to give your Sims the spice they've been missing.

Editorial Review

Toga party, anyone? Now your Sims can do that and more withThe Sims: House Party Expansion Pack, which makes it easier thanever for characters from The Sims to make friends and quicklyrise to the top ranks of their professions.

They'll need all the extra money they make from promotions to pay forall the cool goodies included in this expansion. Party themes rangefrom Wild West campfire cookouts to Hawaiian luaus and room-shakingraves, with plenty of objects provided to keep guests entertained.There's a costume trunk to guarantee everyone will be dressed for theoccasion, and it's even possible to hire a caterer to keep the food anddrink flowing. If you're really lucky, a famous star may pop in for aguest appearance. Every party is packed with surprises, and theinclusion of extra neighborhoods ensures there's always a bash to plan.This is one expansion that no fan of The Sims should be without.--T. Byrl Baker

Pros:

• More than 100 new objects and characters
• Guaranteed social interactions can really help a Sim's career
• Great music and fun themes
• Plenty of surprises

• Takes time away from real parties

Editorial Review

The Sims: Hot Date Expansion Pack represents an entirely new experience for your Sims--dating! With exciting new characters, interests, romance objects, and an all-new downtown area filled with restaurants, shops, and parks, Hot Date will get your Sims off the couch and into the singles scene. Play matchmaker for your Sims and watch them become Casanovas or Casa-nevers.

Players can have their Sims ask each other out on a date, or they can try their luck with an in-game dating service. Arrange to meet another Sim downtown at exciting and romantic locations that the player can create. Everything from a candlelit dinner, a drink at the bar, or a rendezvous in the park is possible as your Sim attempts to orchestrate an evening to remember.

Once your Sim is out with that special someone, additional interests and new interactions keep the conversation flowing and chemistry clicking. Sims can now flirt, play footsie, engage in a little tonsil hockey, or converse in Simlish about new and diverse interests. Being a fun and fascinating date gets your Sim one step closer to a goodnight kiss, or more!

Editorial Review

Being a Sim must be pretty nice. Through the magic of expansion packs,the little virtual people have been given party favors (House Party),magic genies (Livin' Large), and hot dates (um... Hot Date). Withall these creature comforts, what more could a Sim want? Well, how about afamily vacation to a luxury fantasy resort? Vacation Island is an idyllic placethat has sun, fun, and beaches on one side of the island, snow and skiing on theother, and, in the middle, a forest perfect for camping. A trip to VacationIsland is the perfect reward for your hard-working Sims, and a fun diversion foryou--like all Sims expansions, Vacation is full of quirky Sims-stylehumor, and not everything on Vacation Island is good for your Sims.

A trip to Vacation Island isn't cheap; you have to pay for travel andaccommodations for the entire family, as well as entertainment. And just like areal vacation, you can run out of money fast. Thankfully, while on vacation yourSims' needs are slowed down significantly. They're having fun, and you don'thave to micromanage them nearly as much as you do at home. This allows you tosit back more and just observe your Sims playing with the often-funny new stuff.Stuff like a boardwalk Whack-a-Will (named for Sims creator Will Wright) game, aguy dressed as a shark who tries to terrorize the tourists, and new activitiessuch as camping, building snowmen, playing volleyball, snuggling on a bear skinrug (or picnic blanket), and hitting the ski courses and snowboard half-pipe.When it's time to go home, your Sims can take a few reminders of the trip, bothbeneficial (souvenirs that increase happiness) and detrimental (a commontropical illness). Hint: Fans who remember the Brady Bunch Hawaiianvacation episode would do well to learn from Greg Brady's mistake. --BobAndrews

Pros:

• Over 77 new items and things to do
• Truly expands the game

• It's probably time for a full-blown sequel

Features

• The Sims Unleashed gives players dozens of new social interactions and expands their neighborhood. Thirty all-new residential and community lots featuring new homes, lush parks, a hip new cafe, cool shops and a farmer's market are available for Sims to explore.
• Now the Sims can walk their pooch in the park or bring their cat to a cafe and build their relationships with their neighbors through their adorable animals.
• Your Sims can teach Fido where to go themselves or hire an efficient Pet Trainer to do all of the dirty work.
• Sims can also enter their kitties and canines in the local Pet show. The competition is "dog eat dog," as Sim pets try to impress the Pet Judges for prizes in obedience, tricks and good pet mood.
• Also new to The Sims Unleashed is gardening. Your Sims can now grow a variety of vegetables in their own backyard plots using seeds purchased at the local garden store. Proper care of the garden will yield a crop that can be picked and stored i

Reviews (361)

A somewhat spotty EP
MIXED FEELINGS
Ever since having bought Deluxe back in 2003, I've been a diehard fan of the Sims, and I've enjoyed both Hot Date and House Party. I have to say, though, that I have mixed feelings about Unleashed, which on one hand expanded the game wonderfully, but on the other hand, screwed things up considerably.

WHAT'S GOOD ABOUT UNLEASHED
What's good about UL is the obvious-- if you ever wanted your Sims to have pets, this is the EP to get. You have your pick of animals, from traditional favorites (dogs and cats), to more exotic animals like iquanas and turtles. UL also expands the game considerably, adding an additional number of lots to the original ten lot neighborhood, as well as a new place to visit (Old Town), and a chance for your sims to live off the land as farmers by allowing them to grow vegetable gardens. You also get new Maxis families (Hicks, Burbs, Goth Sr.s), interesting new NPCs, a beautiful set of New Orleans-inspired objects and furnishings, not to mention a new batch of surprise visitors (mostly of an animal-like nature) to deal with. One last good thing is that if you like to build houses for the heck of it, you can now build and peak inside of them without having to move a Sim in first or use the Rosebud cheat.

WHAT'S NOT SO GOOD
Okay, here's where the mixed feelings come in. I found the game very buggy. Before I bought this EP, I had to deal with the 360 shuffle (a bug where the males of the game will turn around 360 degrees before washing the dishes or picking things up). It was no big deal pre-UL then because it didn't happen too often. With UL, not only does this condition worsen, it afflicts the women too! They will almost always turn around full circle or make two extra steps to the left or to the right before doing anything! There's a patch at the official Sims 1 site to deal with it, but it doesn't treat the problem at all.

Another thing I didn't like about UL were some of the creative changes Maxis made to the game. You know, there's a good reason behind the saying "If it ain't broke, don't fix it." You could wind up spoiling a good thing otherwise. Maxis seems to not have heard of it, because it made some "fixes" to the game that soured me completely to this EP, despite my liking some of its other qualities.Major change #1: if you thought it was annoying when the sinks flooded constantly, you're just gonna *love* how the puddles now seep under objects, forcing you to go into Buy Mode to move them in order for the sims to clean them up! (No, this is not a bug, as commonly thought! Maxis actually thought this cute idea would make the game more realistic!) Major change #2: the women walk significantly differently than before, with stiffly held arms, butts sticking out and hunched up shoulders. This new change irked fans of The Sims so badly, they coined a term for it-- the Gorilla Walk. There's a patch at the official site for the first change (the puddling under objects), but no patch for the 2nd change. The Gorilla Walk didn't really bother me too much, but it's one of those changes that was really unnecessary and took away from some of its earlier charm.

There are so many other things like that I found frustrating about UL (to the point of uninstalling it after a week), but space limits prevent me from listing them all. At any rate, as you can see, although I was pleased by some aspects of UL, I was frustrated by other aspects of it. In fact, this was the first Sims 1 EP I was severely disappointed with. I'm almost a little heartbroken, because while some of the new stuff in it was astounding and added a lot to the game, the bad ideas and bugs totally killed whatever excitement those new things brought. Don't get me wrong: UL has a lot of good points, but some of its flaws at times detract from what's good about it. So it's three stars from me.

The Sims is my favorite PC game!!*_*
Sometimes, I enjoy playing Playstation, but I like Sims better. It helps me learn more a bout saving money. Sometimes, I do a cheat to get lots of money but I don't use that so much because the game is about using money and life time, not about getting cheats to win. But if you want to know the cheat, I may tell you. First, in the middle of the game, you press the Shift key, the control key,(Ctrl) and the C button. Then, you write "rosebud" to start and then !;!;!; (keep on doing it). If you one to get money MORE faster, you press !;!;!;!;!;!;!;!;1 ( keep on doing the same thing and at the last part, you do a 1.)

I like getting pets especially when the family in the house is bored and quiet. My favorite part of the game is, buying pets. shopping and building buildings. I usually name the pets in regular dog names. I also like big and fancy houses with a BIG back ground. Once, I had 4 birds, 4 iguanas and four of each pet. (Good thing I learned english to understand the game!)

At the first time I played Sims, I thougt there were no actions and I didn't know that much english. So, i made fire in the house a lot of time. Then years of practicing, I became better and better. Now, I don't have space to build stuff!

Editorial Review

Myst arrived just in time to take advantage of brand-newCD-ROM technology, and quickly became the number-one reason to buy anew computer. Myst and its sequel, Riven, featuredbeautiful and lonely landscapes, a strong and fascinating sense ofpervading mystery, and puzzles both fiendish and clever. Playersnavigated through the games by clicking on points of interest, andsolved puzzles by paying careful attention to the lush graphics andhaunting sounds of the environment. Myst III: Exile proudlycontinues and even advances that tradition.

Myst's ongoing story line is as convoluted as it is fantastic.Central to the story is the mysterious civilization of the D'ni, whichcreates entire worlds by writing books. Other books are used to linkthe D'ni worlds together. Myst trapped the player in a series ofinterconnected worlds, and challenged the player to puzzle through theramblings of two mad brothers in order to free Atrus, their imprisonedfather. Riven revealed more of the history of the D'ni, and sentthe player to the unstable world of Riven in order to rescue Atrus'swife.

Myst III: Exile concerns Atrus's earnest attempt at creating anew world. He hopes this world will mark the rebirth of the D'ni, butbefore he finishes his book, a thief (portrayed in the game by actorBrad Dourif) breaks into his laboratory and mucks things up. You haveto track this thief through worlds written by Atrus in his earlieryears. Within each world you must right the wrongs the thief hascreated, all the while uncovering a deeper mystery surrounding hisrelationship to Atrus and his troublesome children. Prior experiencewith Myst and Riven isn't necessary for this thirdexcursion, but familiarity with Myst's point-and-click gameplayand its often infuriating puzzle logic helps.

New to the game is a full 3-D landscape, which replaces the staticprerendered artwork of the previous games. The gorgeous new graphicsallow you to quickly pan and scan your way through an area, looking forpuzzles and action spots with the hand cursor. The puzzles have beenimproved so that you can now see changes to the environment immediatelyafter you solve one, rather than simply moving on to the next picture.Still, the puzzles are often wickedly difficult and may provefrustrating to new players.

The environment is the true star of the game, and is sure to enchantplayers of all stripes. As before, the music and artwork are topnotchand immersing, and the experience is not easily forgotten. Mystfans of old will be delighted with this new installment, and those newto the series will be enchanted, provided they are willing to spendtime on the puzzles, enjoy the scenery, and let the game carry themaway. --Andrew S. Bub

Pros:

• A strong continuation of the series
• Brilliant new artwork and music

• Puzzles can be confusing
• Not for impatient gamers