Best Strategy Game
The Sims 2
Publisher: EA Games
Developer: Maxis
Read our preview from E3 2004 >>
Picking a best strategy game at the show was an extremely tough process this year because of how competitive the category was. We had the impressive, epic battles of Rome, the colorful world of Middle-earth, the gritty and violent world of Warhammer 40,000, and the distinctive look and feel of a Hollywood movie set to choose from. But when all was said and done, we felt that The Sims 2 was the strategy game of the show.
We've heard a great deal about The Sims 2: It will be the sequel to what is reportedly the most successful computer game of all time. It will have all kinds of intriguing features that include culturing a family of "sims"--the game's mischievous and mostly autonomous virtual people--to grow up, get married, have kids, grow old, and eventually pass away. At this year's E3, we were finally able to see some of these features in action, and we came away with the distinct impression that they (and plenty of other cool stuff) will all be in the game and will likely be as addictive as ever for Sims fans.
;)
The Sims 2 will feature both enhanced artificial intelligence for sims (who not only will get hungry and sleepy, but will also have memories that will shape their lives) and an all-new "aspiration" system. Aspirations will help give players much more direction, if they want it--by fulfilling your sims' aspirations, you'll make them happier, and they'll live longer. This and other features should solve the common criticism cited by detractors of the first game--many found it to be so open-ended that there sometimes seemed to be nothing of any particular consequence to do. Of course, aspirations, enhanced house decorations, having families, and passing on DNA will all be in The Sims 2, but you won't be required to deal with them, so in essence, it seems like the sequel will offer both more variety and more focus--and in a real game, not just in promises made in interviews (or designer diaries). E3 showed us that The Sims 2 has tremendous potential and that the sequel might just make good on its many lofty promises.
The other Best Strategy Game finalists:
The Lord of the Rings, The Battle for Middle-earth (PC)
The Movies (PC/Xbox/PS2/GC)
Rome: Total War (PC)
Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War (PC)
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