PSP World

DSiWare Review: Miami Nights: Life in the Spotlight

When I first loaded up Miami Nights: Life in the Spotlight, I was a bit apprehensive. The graphics and overall layout are reminiscent of cell phone games, pre iPhone, and my initial thoughts were that I was about to play a cheap Sims ripoff. The character creator promises "an unbelievable level of customizable physical detail" which accounts for a little over 20 tops, and around the same number of bottoms and 16 or so hair styles with a decent color variety for both. At first I thought it a bit limiting, but considering this is a downloadable title that runs about $8, it could probably pass as a decent value. Once my avatar was created, I was prompted to select a life goal. The options were limited to 6, and included "Rock Star" "Actor" and "Model". It felt a bit superficial for my avatar to not have "Professor" or "Scientist" as options, but this is Miami, so I went with Actor.

After a brief dream sequence, the game jumps off with you waking in a dingy 2 bedroom apartment, and some mystery woman named Bree telling you that you stink (as evidenced by the flies buzzing around you) and that you need to shower off the night of partying you just had. In doing that, you're first introduced to the 40 stats that you can/will keep track of. Everything from Hygiene and Hunger, to Charisma and Craziness will fluctuate as you partake in the variety of actions that you will find within the game.

Miami Nights keeps track of a whole array of stats about your character.

The game pretty much revolves around these stats, and everything you do, or try to do will either be based on these stats, or will change the stats either negatively or positively. The game does a relatively good job of letting you know why you fail on an action based on a stat, but leaves it up to you to try to learn where and how to "grind" up your stats. Throughout your travels in Miami, Bree will be your constant guide, giving you objectives, helping you get into the clubs, hook up with chicks, and keep you on track towards super stardom.

You'll have the opportunity to gain new jobs, improve the look and style of your apartment, gain new friends, "hook up" with the people that you've managed to charm, and over the course of the game, gain access to newer and hotter venues.

All in all, Miami Nights: Life in the Spotlight is little more than a bite-sized version of the Sims, but since you can take it with you on the go, that's not a bad thing. The game play is simple but fun, and chasing your dreams through the streets of Miami is a nice diversion from some of the more meatier fare available on the DS and DSi. The bottom line? If you enjoy Sims, or are curious about the genre, Miami Nights is probably worth the $8.

Red Shell Score: 3 out of 5 stars.