Game Review: iCarly 2 (DS)
iCarly is a super popular live action sitcom on Nickelodeon. Carly and her friends host their own Webcast, with plenty of laughs and lessons along the way. Now you can hang out with Carly and her pals and help them make their Web show with iCarly 2 on DS.
Believe it or not, the sequel plays a lot like the life sim game Animal Crossing! You play as a new kid who has moved into Carly’s town. You get a room you can decorate with furniture, floor, and wallpaper. You can dress up your character in different styles. And you can walk about the neighborhood, befriending and doing favors for your classmates and neighbors. Do chores and favors to earn money and more items. Visit stores to buy cool stuff and play games in the arcade. Even the main world you walk around in has that ‘rolling log’ effect like Animal Crossing does!
You do have specific goals in iCarly 2, though. Every week, you must help Carly with her Web show by finding furniture and cool items to decorate the set with. Then when it comes time to air, play mini-games to keep the show wacky, fresh, and just afloat in general. Unfortunately, these mini-games are a little tricky and confusing at first.
But that’s not the only problem. The game doesn’t do a very good job of easing you into the gameplay the way Animal Crossing does. Plus, the cell phone style menu system is more cumbersome and confusing. The game’s clock runs on its own time, not in real time like in Animal Crossing. So everything feels more constricted, even though it makes the game go by quicker. And finally, if you’re not familiar with the characters and locations from the iCarly show, you’ll have a harder time getting around in the game. But then, why would you buy this game if you’re not a fan? Gamers who love Animal Crossing and Sims style titles AND the iCarly TV show will be the only ones who will enjoy this one.
Kid Factor:
If you’re OK with your kids watching the iCarly TV show, they’ll be OK with the game, too. Even though there is tons of spoken voice from the cast, strong reading skill is still a must. Since kids are more accustomed to using cell phones, they probably won’t find the menu system as confusing as I did. iCarly 2 is rated E for Everyone with an ESRB descriptor of Comic Mischief.
September 5th, 2014 at 9:33 am
good
June 22nd, 2020 at 2:27 pm
i love your show