Released by EA Redwood Shores in 2007, MySims initially sought to capture some of the whimsical town-building magic that had made Animal Crossing a hit. Designed with a younger audience in mind, MySims introduced players to a world where they could build and decorate using a plethora of colorful, eye-catching furniture and structures, all while fostering friendships within their community. This vision expanded with the sequel, MySims Kingdom, which added a medieval twist to the formula.
The Nintendo Switch, no stranger to town builders with titles like Animal Crossing: New Horizons and Stardew Valley already in its library, now welcomes the MySims Cozy Bundle. This package includes both the original MySims and MySims Kingdom. While the platform hosts several similar games, MySims distinguishes itself with uniquely simple mechanics that cater to a younger audience, though without much new content for veterans of the genre.
In MySims, players begin by crafting their avatar and naming their town. They are quickly introduced to Mayor Rosalyn, who guides them through the initial stages of town development. The game's core involves constructing various buildings and decorations using a blueprint system. This system, reminiscent of the Gummi Ship editor from Kingdom Hearts, allows players to assemble structures block by block on a 3D grid. While there are basic requirements for each construction, creative freedom reigns supreme, enabling players to experiment with designs extensively.
As players progress, collecting items called 'essences' becomes crucial. These essences are used to paint and decorate constructions, fulfilling specific requests and advancing the game's plot. Completing these tasks results in the leveling up of the town, which attracts new Sims and unlocks additional areas to explore, each with unique biomes and further construction tasks.
Switching to MySims Kingdom, the adventure deepens with a narrative twist where the player takes on the role of a Wandolier, a special figure able to conjure objects and structures. King Roland tasks the player with traveling across various islands to expand and beautify his realm. The presence of characters like Lyndsey and Buddy adds a dynamic element to the gameplay, enriching the player's quest.
The sequel broadens the exploratory aspects of the game, introducing a bevy of islands and environments that players can improve using their enhanced building abilities. Unlike the original, where building was confined to specific modes, MySims Kingdom allows for on-the-fly construction, utilizing a wand to conjure buildings and solve environmental puzzles directly within the game world.
These games, originally designed for the DS and Wii, transition smoothly to the Nintendo Switch. Their simple, blocky graphics are well-suited to the portable console, despite some minor sound issues such as the sharpness of item pickups and muffled character voices. However, a notable omission in the Switch version is the lack of motion controls. This feature would have been a natural fit, considering the game’s origin on the Wii, and its absence is felt particularly in segments requiring precise cursor manipulation.
Overall, the MySims Cozy Bundle offers a comfortable and engaging addition to the Switch’s lineup of relaxed town builders. It provides a solid, albeit familiar, gameplay loop that should appeal especially to younger players or those new to the genre. While it might not bring new groundbreaking features to experienced players, its charm and simplicity serve as a gentle introduction to the world of simulation games.
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