Big franchises like The Sims don’t often stray from the formulas that make the special. When a series does decide to try something new, however, you could get an interesting take that is worthing exploring. The Sims Medieval is such a game. It’s a more limited experience when compared to its brethren, but its RPG elements and focus on a single Hero Sim make this an excellent entry point into the series for new players.
The Sims Medieval is a stand-alone game in The Sims series and it is the fifth game (excluding EPs/SPs and collections) released on Windows and Mac OS X. The Sims Medieval was released March 22, 2011. The Sims Medieval is a new title in The Sims saga, based on the same engine used by The Sims 3. It’s a complete, standalone game – not to be mistaken for an expansion set. It’s a complete, standalone game – not to be mistaken for an expansion set.
Choose Your Medieval Sims
In the Sims Medieval, you can choose from different kinds of Sims to control that are true to the era. From Monarchs and Wizards to Priests and Spies, there’s a whole host of professions, levels of nobility and aptitudes to choose from. You only have two needs to juggle, energy and hunger. You also only have three traits, one of which being your Sim’s greatest flaw.
On top of that, two Sims can produce an heir that can eventually grow up once their parents pass away. In many ways, The Sims Medieval adds a layer of RPG elements to its simulation-style gameplay, making the game more approachable for non-fans.
No Fixed Outcomes
Despite The Sims Medieval having a scripted storyline, the game's ending depends by and large on the main Hero Sim and how they’re played. The quests you accept, as well as the path you choose to complete each mission quest and your Sims’ overall performance during each quest, will also influence the game’s outcome. With up to 10 professions to choose from, there are numerous stories to explore with a variety of endings and outcomes to unlock and experience. This is a vastly different approach to the classic tried-and-true open nature of The Sims franchise.
More Limited Play
What mainly separates The Sims Medieval from the rest of the series is the fact that you can only control a single Hero Sim. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing as it makes the game more approachable to new players and RPG fans. Even when you have a spouse and an offspring, they still remain NPCs. Even after you unlock freeplay by completing your Kingdom Ambition, you still won’t get the same amount of depth as in other Sims games. You could say The Sims Medieval is an attempt at making a Sims game that is more akin to a single-player narrative-driven title.
The Bottom Line
The Sims Medieval is clearly a bold move for the series. It’s more limited gameplay may not be for the hardcore Sims fan. On the other hand, it can serve as a diversion from the open-ended gameplay of the franchise.
Sims Medieval Error Code 16
For newer players, the Sims Medieval feels like a great entry point as its more contained gameplay make an excellent introduction to a pretty big gaming franchise.
Pros
- Good for beginners to the series
- A more narratively driven Sims experience
- Multiple outcomes based on playstyle
Cons
Sims Medieval Review
- Not for the hardcore Sims fans
- Scope in freeplay is very limited and lacks what makes The Sims unique
