By Billy O'Keefe
McClatchy-Tribune

"MySims"
For: Nintendo Wii
From: EA
ESRB Rating: Everyone

MCT "MySims, " for Nintendo Wii from EA. ESRB Rating: Everyone..

Like many of its console counterparts, "MySims" is a "Sims" game more in name than anything else. But while most console "Sims" games resembled chore simulators more than the sociological sandboxes that made the PC games popular, "MySims" embarks in such a different direction as to be completely unrecognizable.

That may not be a bad thing. In fact, it might usher in a wholly new franchise whose best days still lie ahead.

The first, most jarring change in "MySims" is the look. Fans of "Animal Crossing" will recognize a lot _ perhaps too much _ of that game in this one, with everything from the characters to the trees sporting an exaggerated, cartoonish look. Nevertheless, it's a clean, visually-pleasing style that makes lemonade out of the Wii's limited graphical horsepower.

But the real surprise with "MySims" is that it's not really a "Sims" game at all. You can customize your sim's look, but there's no need to worry about gainful employment, bathroom breaks or going hungry. You can make friends around town, but relationships never advance beyond the friend zone.

Rather, "MySims" pits you in the role as a builder _ of houses, furniture and more _ who must restore a run-down town back to respectability. Beyond the time you spend making friends and foraging "essences" _ "MySims"-speak for the ingredients in the items you build _ the bulk of "MySims" has you building away in your workroom.

Fortunately, this is where the game (mostly) shines.

"MySims" initially asks you to follow blueprints when building items for your neighbors, but it gives you plenty of freedom within those blueprints to get creative. Eventually, you'll receive free reign to build whatever you can dream up _ a creative liberty you can sample immediately when designing your dream house and workshop.

The building tool _ essentially a virtual Lego set with a lot of cool pieces _ is pretty slick, too. Placing pieces can prove tricky with the Wiimote, which isn't as precise as a mouse or stylus. But the only consequence of a misplaced piece is taking a few seconds to readjust, so it's not a particularly damaging problem.

In fact, "MySims" doesn't really do consequence, and that's its biggest problem. It's a fun toy, but gamers looking for any kind of challenge _ even by way of multiplayer integration _ are out of luck. Should there be a sequel, rectifying this is job one.

© 2007, McClatchy-Tribune Information Services.