The Sims Medieval

The Sims Medieval is a video game in The Sims series based upon The Sims 3 Engine, developed and published by Electronic Arts for Microsoft Windows and Mac OS X and was released on March 22, 2011. The game was also released through PC downloads on the same date. Set in medieval times, it allows the player to build a kingdom through quest-driven gameplay. On December 21, 2010, EA announced that the Limited Edition was available until the launch date,[clarification needed] and was also released at the same time as the standard edition.[1] It included exclusive monarch outfit and throne room options. Initial response to The Sims Medieval has been positive.Features

The Sims Medieval provides a medieval setting for the player to work within, with newly designed buildings and scenery to give an authentic "back in time" experience. Players will build a kingdom up, send Sims on quests, and earn rewards in the form of Kingdom Points. The game diverges from the series in that players can win the game by achieving a kingdom ambition. Confirmed ambitions include "Best In Show", "Busy Builder", "Efficient Expander", "Fame", "Filled Coffers", "Hard Workers", "Imperial Domination", "Legendary", "No Quest For The Weary", "Safe And Sound", "Thoughts And Prayers", and "Wealthy Populace".
In a change from other Sims games, the character creation, simulation, and architectural aspects are significantly reduced and altered to enforce a sharper focus on RPG-style gameplay. For example, players will be able to customise the aesthetics and layout of building interiors, but they will be unable to alter the basic structure and shape of buildings.[2] Instead, the game will involve the player upgrading a kingdom, choosing an ultimate goal for that kingdom (such as wealth or popularity) and then fulfilling quests that contribute to that goal. The goal can be completed through the use of heroes (or specialists). For example, the player can have a wizard and a physician cooperate on one quest or a knight and monarch in another. Focus, experience, and the traits of the Sim influence their success, and players may choose how the team will attempt to conduct the quest. Players will also choose which Sim will lead the team. Interestingly, The Sims Medieval will not be a generational game. Much like the first generation of the main series, The Sims, the characters in the game will not progress through life stages: Sims will still be able to procreate, but those children will never age to adulthood. Sims will each have two normal traits and one fatal flaw, which can be turned into a positive trait through a quest, unlike the The Sims 3 where there are five main traits only depending on the age group.
In an interview with GameSpot, the game's senior producer, Rachel Bernstein stated that the game will be more dangerous for Sims, with death and failure a possibility during the game's quests. Listed dangers included low focus on quests, plague, peasant revolts, wildlife, poisons, duels, and more.[3] Unlike past games, there is a definite beginning and end to the game. Players earn ratings at the end of the game depending on their performance. Players may also reach "Quest Failed!" screens if they do not complete a predefined goal in a predetermined amount of time.[4]
[edit]Hero types

Players will be able to control several types of 'heroes', or professions. Each will have different abilities and responsibilities. These include:
Monarchs will control the kingdom and be able to deal with neighboring kingdoms diplomatically. They can engage in duels, marry important NPCs, and issue proclamations or edicts.
Wizards can enchant or fight using their spells, which are learned from a large spellbook and include motions which must be memorized.
Spies can poison other Sims, or steal for the kingdom.
Priests come in two varieties, Peteran and Jacobian. Peteran Priests follow a simpler path and try to convert Sims with uplifting sermons. Jacobian Priests use fear as a conversion tool, and wear expensive clothing.
Blacksmiths use ore mined in the kingdom to produce armor and arms.
Physicians are expected to keep people healthy using period technology, particularly leeches.
Knights can train for strength and endurance and are used to conquer new lands.
Merchants have access to foreign goods and trade opportunities.
Bards can recite poetry and play lute music for other Sims.
[edit]Technical upgrades

Rachel Bernstein stated that subsurface scattering has been added to character models, to give the characters a "painterly look".[2] Other upgrades are reported to include "next-gen sims tech", and a new engine for light within the game.
Another difference/upgrade is the terrain used in the game. Where as the terrain or neighborhoods in The Sims 3 or other Sim games was generally flat for the purpose of building, The Sims Medieval's terrain (or kingdom) is varied in altitudes and layouts resulting in a realistic display of geography. The terrain in the game also has a "painterly look" as do the Sims of the game thanks to the enhanced engine. An official update has been released which fixes minor graphic problems.
[edit]Publicity

Bernstein has conducted media interviews and demos and a television marketing campaign is currently underway. Some advertisements feature former Scrubs actor Donald Faison. [5]
[edit]Reception

[hide] Professional ratings
Aggregate scores
Source Rating
Metacritic 79/100[6]
Review scores
Source Rating
CraveOnline (Positive)[7]
Edge (7/10)[8]
GamePro [9]
Gamers.at 85/100[10]
GamingXP (Positive)[11]
IGN 8.5/10[12]
The Guardian (Positive)[13]
PC Gamer 70/100[14]
Initial response to The Sims Medieval has been generally positive. John Scott Lewinski of CraveOnline stated "It's more the kind of game players can come and go from in shorter bursts of play, as opposed to taking on team quests that can consume hours."[7] The German gaming website GamingXP also gave a positive review, commenting "The Sims Medieval easily is one of the best games [in the series], if not the best. If you're in search for a surprise, this game could be just for you."[11] Nicole Tanner of IGN awarded the game a score of 8.5 out of 10, commenting "The Sims Medieval has successfully breathed new life into a franchise that was getting pretty stale."[12] "Even with its minor flaws, The Sims Medieval mixes a great sense of humor with simple role-playing game mechanics that result in hours of fun," she added.[12] Silvia Schachinger of the Austrian gaming website Gamers, was also positive in her review, stating "The Sims: Medieval is a really nice standalone game, [...] Altogether a really nice combination, which no Sims-Fan should miss."[10] Atkin Felix of The Guardian praised the game, deeming it as "enchanting stuff set in a beautifully animated and immersive fairy-tale world." "[And,] with a clearer structure for achieving quests and character development, it will appeal to RPG fans as never before," he added.[13] Gaming magazine Edge awarded the game a rating of 7 out of 10, and wrote "It's a funny and sweet time sink, and something that any Sims fan can wholeheartedly enjoy."[8] Although AJ Glasser of GamePro awarded the game a rating of 4 stars out of five, she gave a mixed review of the game, writing "As let down as I am, though, I'm not ready to get out my pitchfork. Some things in this game kept me coming back for 20 hours. [...] The Sims Medieval is a beautiful game with fun and interesting ideas, but it doesn't live up to my fantasy of the Middle Ages and it doesn't completely satisfy the Sims fan in me."[9]