Games, Books and Films

Digital Jesters, 2005, Business/Strategy

On paper, 7 Sins sounds amusing, not breathtaking or ‘legendary’, but at least playable. A life simulation game that uses a winning formula of ’sim’ style Gameplay that adds a touch of rude humour and tantalising yet addictive mini games was all the PS2 needed in its long and exhausting life, right? Despite the appeal, critics pounded it, but is it really as bad as they say?

Released in the middle of 2005, Monte Cristo’s 7 Sins is a real life simulation allowing the player to take control of a 20 something male in his prime. Set in Apple City, you must rise through the ranks using the seven deadly sins to reach the top of the social ladder. Ranging across shops, casinos and clubs, the player must build ‘loving’ relationships by completing the many missions available using a variety of methods such as selling customers perfume, staring at women’s breasts or by becoming a dominatrix sex slave.

Let’s face it, this idea isn’t original, in fact it’s pretty lame, but the game never makes you believe otherwise. It fairly cheesy and does at times provide some laughs, but this is probably because of the ridiculous moments that occasionally appear. Despite the games 18 rating, it obviously is appealing to teenage lads mostly where you can round up your mates and have a laugh as you spy through fitting room curtains, grope clubbers or allow yourself to be dressed in women’s lingerie and be spanked with a whip. On the whole, the game cannot be taken seriously and with its limited appeal it’s hard not to notice the silly amateur jokes or the overly sexist attitude.

Visually, 7 Sins isn’t bad displaying smoothly designed stereotypical characters with an airbrushed shine. Non playable characters all provide a suitable busy atmosphere with their overly flamboyant styles of dress ranging from designer suits to nerdy dungarees, but the colours all seem too basic. A simple red, green and blue doesn’t justify any depth and the lack of shade makes the game seem just average. On the outside of things, characters do look good and the facial features all do the job of portraying a celebrity style realism, but the lack of emotion given off by the animation leaves you with something rather dull.

Background objects and scenery tell the same story I’m afraid with a glossy 3D overlook but really there just isn’t enough detail to make you go wow. Bookcases look bland and many things look too rigid and square. Many of the appeals such as sex and greed also don’t provide any decent animation. Lap dancers look like they have been taking choreography lessons from a bear and the basic movements from most of the NCP’s are just too stiff.

The sound doesn’t fair too well either with an obviously pathetic narrative that instantly forces you to switch off. The awful naff American tone gives the game an appalling attitude and the lack of any real conversation again leave you wondering why the hell you even bothered turning the volume on. The rest of the ’speech’ is spoken in a Sims style inaudible drone that just lets you tune off and look around. Ultimately what this does is leave the game without a real in depth atmosphere that allows you to believe that the game is real and therefore again gives he impression that it just cannot be taken seriously.

The background score and sound effects are simple and provide the average you would expect whether it is the bell ringing from a shop door being opened or the tacky club style beats on the dance floor reverberating from your TV, but on the whole you won’t really notice anything aural the game has to offer.

The Gameplay should be the focus here and for most it does try to provide a humorous addictive experience. To conquer apple city you must take your player to the top of the social ladder and to do this you must complete a series of mini games. These games range from pushing the right sequence of buttons so you can get pleasured by a dominatrix or using your tact by selecting the right topic of conversation so you can get closer to a lady friend.

It pretty Leisure Suit Larry stuff, just without the shocking humour or the original appeal. After the 50th conversation you’ll tend to know exactly what to do and whole thing becomes tiresome and samey. Based on the seven deadly sins, the game actually doesn’t introduce them very well and it all becomes a blur, which is mostly disappointing. A meter exists at the top of the screen and if you behave inappropriately and perform a sin such as staring too long at women’s breasts this bar will rise. By performing angelic deeds the meter lowers, its all exciting stuff . . . . . . .

If it all becomes too much you will be forced to lower the meter by relieving your tensions by either urinating or taking a few minutes alone in the bathroom. To be honest it’s a very corny idea and one that isn’t successful.

7 Sins was meant to be fun, but instead turned out to be a ridiculous excuse that called itself a game. Its repetitive Gameplay and lack of any real depth means you will rather switch off than stick with it and overall it just fails to entertain at every level. The game just doesn’t seem to know what it wants to be and whether it’s the Gameplay, graphics or simply its idea it just isn’t coherent enough to produce anything of real value. No wonder it didn’t sell well - trust me … stay away.

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