"The Sims Superstar" Review

I know many of you reading this now are reluctant to buy a sixth expansion pack. I had "The Sims Superstar" for two weeks before I installed it. The enthusiasm just wasn't there and a fame theme just didn't appeal to me. Instead of finding boredom, I discovered challenging gameplay and impressive new objects.

"The Sims Superstar": Gameplay

The biggest and most anticipated addition in "The Sims Superstar" is the ability to follow your Sim to work in the fame career. Studio Town offers a place to become a Star and for tourists to get autographs and grab a bite to eat. Sims that want to become a star hire an agent and start from the bottom as a Karaoke stage singer. As your star rating improves more fame opportunities open, like photo shoots and music videos. Being a star is not easy in "The Sims Superstar." Some jobs include mini-games like the acting opportunities. You have to choose the correct three-part sequence of performance to be successful.

As you gain starpower (1-5 star rating), the balancing act of stardom and daily life becomes difficult. You'll have to learn to keep your Sim motives up, while keeping and making star friends, earning skill points, and keeping up with home life. Having to go with your Sim to work adds a whole new dimension of entertainment and challenge.

The requirements for becoming a Superstar are similar to other career tracks. You have to have creativity, body, and charisma skills and have a certain level of friends, expect how famous your friends are count. Having a few really famous friends is better than 4 or 5 Sims on the same level as you. Each time you are successful with a fame object, like the karaoke machine, you earn fame points. Along with the other requirements, you need a certain amount of fame points to advance to the next level.

Like every other expansion pack, new NPCs are introduced. "The Sims Superstar" has the paparazzi, Obsessed fan, Butler, and a few more. The Butler is my favorite of course. He takes care of the household chores, such as cooking and cleaning. Perhaps the best part is the Butler takes care of babies.

New Objects

Massage table, scuba tank, new doors and stairs, chairs, spa, and satellite dish are examples of new objects in "The Sims Superstar." The graphical quality of objects has increased since the game was first released. The best part of new objects is seeing what the artists in "The Sims" community creates with them. I always look forward to seeing retextured and recolored objects of the Maxis creations.

Graphics & Sound

While the main graphics of "The Sims" has remained unchanged for the last three years, the new objects have improved with each expansion pack. The quality is not only better, but so are the designs. The sound is not impressive, but neither is it bad. It's just the same style music the game has had for three years, and I can't see it changing.

I only touched the basics of "The Sims Superstar." I don't want to give away anything. You won't enjoy it nearly as much if you know what will happen. After 6 expansion packs, many gamers are questioning whether they want put down the money for a few new objects and interactions. Generally, I say if the pack appeals to you get it. In my case, it didn't appeal to me, but I am amazed with it. It has me excited about the future of "The Sims" series.

"The Sims Superstar" gives you objectives and challenges you, if that's what you wanted in an expansion pack, you have nothing to lose (except some money and time) to try it.