Las Vegas Nights: Temptations in the City

The Gameloft Sims-a-like series has already visited New York and Miami (the latter proved so popular Ubisoft is publishing a DS interpretation) and where better head next than the city of sin itself, Las Vegas?

There isn't a locale in the world more suited to the game's ultimate goal of achieving money, fame and popularity than Vegas – plus, it offers plotlines galore, revolving around fancy hotel suites, working as a dancing girl and training to be a poker hustler.

Events don't start so glamorously, however. In fact, you begin the game being thrown out your hotel room for not paying the bill, broke and stinking after a night's partying. Fortunately, Vegas offers no end of benches to sleep on, bins to find food in and lampposts to relieve yourself against, although you'll be glad to hear it's a fairly brief journey from tramp to 'It' girl (or boy).

Initially the game restricts the places you can visit with your empty wallet and wayward hairstyle, while people you try to talk to brush you off with admirably honest (if completely heartless) comments such as: "I only talk to rich people". But after working as a leaflet distributor earns you some bucks to pay for a room and take a trip to the beauty salon, they're a little friendlier. The power of money, eh?

At its heart, Las Vegas Nights has a simple structure and one that's superbly implemented to make it a cross between The Sims and any RPG title that requires you to level up your character.

Ah, yes, your character. Once created to look as you want at the start of the game, they have basic necessities that require fulfilling, such as eating, sleeping and visiting the toilet. There are also various characteristics that need to be worked on in order to progress in the game. For instance, you may have to sweet-talk bouncers into letting you into clubs, or gain enough luck to win on the slot machines.

Other aspects have an obvious influence on things. So watching TV comedies make your character funnier and more appealing to people who like a sense of humour, and brushing your hair regularly gives you more sex appeal. These skills come into play in the main story missions of the game, although you can also ignore all this and just explore the various locations in Vegas, gaining popularity and earning money through working and gambling.

The game really has an incredible level of depth. The play area itself is big enough to get lost in, although a handy map makes it possible to warp instantly to any area you like if you do, and there are items in every place to interact with.

As well as people, of course. Conversations are played out using a series of menus. When you initially stand close to someone, their name, your current relationship level and their likes and dislikes are displayed. You can then choose to chat about a range of subjects, being careful to stick to the topics you think they'll enjoy. So talk to the local Elvis impersonator about burgers and you're sure to become best friends. Or even lovers if you really want to go down that route.

Unlike in many Sims games, this character-tailored approach actually works very well to keep conversations more interesting than simply pressing a button until you reach the required level of friendship.

Likewise, the game doesn't put too much emphasis on meeting your character's basic needs. They're simple to keep topped up and you only seem to eat about once a day, which is the sort of discipline today's socialites would surely applaud.

This effectively leaves you free to enjoy everything else Las Vegas Nights has to offer: namely, entertaining mini-games for each job you can do (better ones get unlocked as you progress); a few perplexing puzzles when characters ask you to find something or fulfil some abstract goal; not to mention lots of building up relationships with colourful Vegas sorts and even dates to go on.

Ultimately, within the broad parameters of the impressive gameworld, there's little you'll want to do and find you can't. Like the city it's based on, this has got excellent entertainment value, but far, far more depth. And also has a structure that'll challenge any gamer – you'll need to put in many hours before reaching true star status. As far as social sims go, there isn't much better on mobile.

Las Vegas Nights: Temptations in the City

A pure playground of interactive fun, a compelling story to complete and do-anything gameplay wrapped in exquisite graphical charm that'll have you hooked
Score
Kath Brice
Kath Brice
Kath gave up a job working with animals five years ago to join the world of video game journalism, which now sees her running our DS section. With so many male work colleagues, many have asked if she notices any difference.