The Sims 4launched the franchise to new heights, and newcomers may not be aware of some of the obscure spin-offs the series has produced in the past. Perhaps the most curious release isThe Urbz: Sims in the City. Released in 2004, the game takes on a bit more of a structured narrative, and it has players attempting to make a life for themselves in the city. Despite being one of the most fun titles in the franchise, it hasn’t been revisited since, thoughThe Sims 5could change this.
The Sims 5, which is being developed under the title “Project Rene,” has the opportunity to remind longtime fans of the existence ofThe Urbz. This could be done by featuring characters from the game, as well as by including some of the city-style gameplay present in it. After the success ofThe Sims 4, its sequel is in a good position to make an explosive entry into the gaming world, and a link toThe Urbzwould help the long-awaited to feel special to series veterans.
RELATED:The Sims 5 Can Use SimCity’s Ideas as Scaffolding for Growth
The Urbz - A Unique, Forgotten Entry in The Sims Series
The Urbzdiffers from mainstreamThe Simsgames, as it was not released on PC. As was sometimes the case with older titles, versions on different platforms had alternate storylines. On PlayStation 2, the game had players meeting up withwill.i.am from the Black Eyed Peas, and collecting parts for Darius, the most popular Sim in SimCity. On the handheld versions released on the Nintendo Game Boy Advance and Nintendo DS, the Black Eyed Peas don’t make an appearance. Instead, players attempt to make a life for themselves while thwarting the maniacal plans of Daddy Bigbucks.
Thespin-off offered a new way to experienceThe Sims, and it entailed fun gameplay that hasn’t been replicated since. Players can partake in motorbike races, ride their skateboards around town, and explore varied environments ranging from urban areas to creepy bayous. Regular life management elements are still present, so in between their adventure, players still have to worry about eating, showering, and other basic tasks.
The varied gameplay combined with the off-the-wall storylines madeThe Urbzunique. Unfortunately, the game failed commercially, and it struggled to sell many units. Consequently, the planned PC port and the sequel were scrapped. It may be the case that it strayed too far from its core gameplay, alienating too many gamers. Nevertheless, there is still a lot of good inThe Urbz, and this could beexplored inThe Sims 5.
How The Sims 5 Can Pay Homage to The Urbz
The Sims 5has been confirmed to be in development, though a release date hasn’t been announced yet. AlthoughThe Urbzmay be aThe Simsspin-offforgotten by many,The Sims 5could pay homage to the game by featuring some of the quirky characters it included. Characters like Daddy Bigbucks, Darius, or even the Bayou twins would be great to see again. Alternatively, the upcoming game could do good on what many gamers have been asking for and offer a truly open-world experience. This would allow for the return of some ofThe Urbz’s fun mini-games, including Squeegee Clean and Motorcross Madness.
After almost a decade ofThe Sims 4, expectations are high for its successor. AlthoughThe Sims 4’s pricingwas generally frowned upon, it ultimately was a very successful entry in the franchise that greatly expanded the fan base. With some clever nods toThe Urbz,The Sims 5can show some appreciation for its longtime fans while introducing a bit of zaniness into the gameplay.
The Sims 4is available now on Mac, PC, PS4, and Xbox One.
MORE:It’s Time for The Sims 5 to Abandon One Franchise Staple
