MySims: SkyHeroes Review (X360)

• Publisher: EA
• Developer: The Sims Studio
• ESRB Rating: “E" for Everyone
• Genre: Airplane Racing / Combat
• Pros: Simple, fun gameplay; building custom planes; great for kids
• Cons: Simlish is the most annoying thing ever; why are "M" rated game characters here?

MySims: SkyHeroes is built around a core of customization. First you build your own Sim character, and then you build an airplane for them to fly. The story follows your Sim as their plane crash lands on an island, but when they wake up they can't remember anything about their past. The inhabitants of the island happen to be a ragtag group of pilots, so soon they have you in a new plane flying missions even if you can't remember exactly who you are. Eventually, you lead a rebellion against the evil Morcuba (apparently a returning villain from past MySims games, but I'm clueless).

The story isn't much of a story, just a series of excuses for your character to take to the skies. The characters you meet are all cute little chibi Sims, and everyone speaks Simlish. Even though it is a flight combat game, no one ever dies and the "bad guys" limp off into the sunset at the end of a battle. It is definitely kid friendly.

Except for the fact that some of the pre-set Sims models are based on Shepard from Mass Effect, Salem and Rios from Army of Two, and Isaac Clarke from Dead Space - all "M" rated games. They look all cute and Sim-ified, but it seems strange to put such characters in a kid game. I guess EA is trying to plant the "play our other franchises" idea into kids as early as possible.

The game is broken up into two main gameplay types - races and dogfights. Both play pretty much like a kart racer, just in the sky. There are weapon icons floating all over the place, and you fly through them to pick them up so you can use them on your opponents. Races are fast and frantic and surprisingly fun, and dogfights can get surprisingly intense as your opponents get a lot better as you progress through the game. The weapon lock on is surprisingly generous, and most of the weapons have a nice, wide spread, so combat is easy even when you're twisting and turning through the air trying to keep your opponent in your sights.

It really is easy enough for kids to jump right in and have a good time with. But it is definitely exciting enough that parents (or maybe people just wanting an enjoyable rental with some easy Achievements) will enjoy it as well.

The sound is a mix of decent "epic" music during dogfights and Simlish gibberish during everything else. I just want to say, that I don't like Simlish. It is annoying. Very. Annoying.