The Movies (PC)

When peering through the game selection at your local software shop, you find it hard not to notice a game that advertises an entirely new idea. The Movies - a simple concept but delivered very well. In ways, the game educates the audience about the history of movie making, from the 1920s Charlie Chaplain moving picture to the modern pyrotechnics used effectively in all great modern films. You start with a plot of land, which is yours to mould and beautify into a major Hollywood studio. You can hire your own staff, change their looks in every way imaginable, build your own sets, hire writers, directors and scientists(!) but probably the most interesting effect is the customised script writing! I wanted to leap head first into creating my own war epic film, with actors assigned to roles, realistic costumes and real explosions, but I allowed myself time to get the studio up and running. 4 weeks, 315 scenes later, filming began. I didn't realise though, the time difference between the game and reality. It took 81 game years to complete filming, in which 5 of the actors applied for retirement and 2 died. Now that was a shock.

However, the scripting interface allows you to create ANY storyline that you wish, from horror to romance. You choose which action scenes to use and you choose what props to use too. There we go, a conflicting opinion. The game when played itself is no match to a simulation game such as The Sims 2 series. However, it is new and exciting, and is quite fun creating a multi billion dollar company through the production of movies. But (there always is a but) the custom movie maker is a long and ardous process, involving many late nights and back aches. The product may be cool to watch when it is finished but then you find you've lost interest in the game. Boo. I think it is worth buying for the appeal but a bit of advice, don't make your "Dream" movie too long. And remember - Lights, Camera, and in this case, perseverance.

The Movies looked like my sort of PC game. I love Sim games, and this gave it a whole new edge, so as soon as I could I purchased a copy.

This was about two months ago, it is now on Ebay!

It has everything you'd expect from a Sim-style game. Different personalities, attitudes, problems to solve (eg. alcoholic and drug addicted actors), but once you get so far in to it, the edge that it seems to have just fades away, all of your new actors seem to be just like the last lot. Movies all start to look the same, and the only way your ever demanding actors stay happy is when your studio is bankrupt!!

Great fun at first, but unfortunately this game just isn't very addictive, and therefore in my opinion, isn't worth the money.

The Movies game is the best game for any age you can make your own actor or actress.

You design your own studio.

You should really try it no kidding really.