Reviewed by Tiffany Craig
Entire industries are designed around the singles’ desire to get some more, some better or some sex. The Sims universe hasn’t catered to that, preferring instead to live in a world with no racist thugs, Cosmo or accidentally washing the cat. But someone heard the call. Singles 2: Triple Trouble sympathizes that a life without pixelated ugly bumping and drinking is no life at all.
The obligatory Story mode is the recommended beginning and gives you a bit of a loser folk singer type who threw everything away by being irresponsible and churlish. Your mission is to prove that you aren’t a shiftless layabout and win your ex partner back into the sack. A loud shirt wearing hip bartender friend reminds you of missions, gives you tips and serves you alcohol after you fail. Your cute Korean housemate is the third side of the triangle with your ex and has a few things to say to you. The dynamics are all set and ready to go for some hot achievement. But if you grow tired of those two and the quest to win someone’s love there are also several less complicated free play modes. The end result is the same.
You must be patient in any of the game modes for the goal in the hole. Singles 2 provides you with many miniscule distractions so getting your target into bed is almost realistically frustrating. When you finally are awarded some snuggle time, the characters are either both tired or making that pee-pee dance moaning sound without actually heading towards the bathroom. Here’s a tip if you’re not following the story: buy the only double bed in the house and your housemates will randomly get into it. Depending on your level of intimacy as represented by the expected icons at the bottom, they’ll either run away or stay. If they stay, let them sleep for a bit and then make an attempt at having some quality time.
Shortcuts do exist in the form of combined bonus actions. Tickle is erotic, fun and friendship earning. Complimenting someone is romantic and gives you friendship points. Keep an eye on your character’s other concerns like their need for a bit of personal fun. If you’re too broke for a television or a stocked book shelf then go to bed a bit early and select Self Service for one of the most distressing pieces of game play I’ve ever encountered.
As far as mechanics go, it’s almost exactly like the Sims and that was probably the intent. Everything is intuitive and with the exception of a poor ambient soundtrack, which can be fixed by purchasing a jukebox for your mp3s, everything else is well designed. I only had a few problems during the installation. The version of Direct X on the CD didn’t agree with my system. A minor obstacle for such an enjoyable piece of game candy. It’s a bit of a one trick pony, but the novelty value of virtual Barry White moments give those tricks a lot of longevity.