Introduction
Haven't decided whether to buy the final expansion pack for The Sims, Makin' Magic, yet? Well, if you need reference and would like to see some reviews first, then this review index is for you. Here you'll find links to several reviews of Makin' Magic that we
"I had entirely too much fun dragging Bella out in the middle of the night to perform magic acts, and watching the dragon cause chaos in the Newbies' house. Like other expansion packs, at first new features consume your playing. Eventually, you'll go back to normal playing ways, while using magic where it fits."
Final score: 4 out of 5
Final score: 4 out of 5
"Ironically, I think the abovementioned drawbacks; or any kind of advice us game reviewers can give them; won't deter true Sims devotees from buying Makin' Magic. They'll still drive to Wal-Mart and shell out $29.95 for the game, regardless of what I write here. The new additions are fun and fairly innovative, but I doubt they'll be enough to hold the attention of even slightly jaded Sims players for long."
Final score: 72 out of 100
Final score: 72 out of 100
"The witching hour has finally struck for the original Sims series as Makin’ Magic passes the torch to the next era in Sims gaming next year. As one of the more ambitiously designed expansion packs, Makin’ Magic will captivate and magically delight Sims fans everywhere. Obviously, the legion of Sims fanatics will want Makin’ Magic as part of their Sims collection. Its new features will keep them more than happy and for those that haven’t been hooked on The Sims before, it’s a good introduction to the series before The Sims 2 surfaces sometime in 2004."
Final score: 8.7 out of 10
Final score: 8.7 out of 10
"The Sims Makin' Magic is a great add-on that brings much to the table. The magical theme is fun and whimsical, and fans of The Sims will want to get their hands on this one to begin conjuring. And remember, Electronic Arts has already stated that this is the last expansion for The Sims. That is, until an entire new version of the game comes to market some day."
Final score: 5 out of 5
Final score: 5 out of 5
"There's no doubt that The Sims series has been one of the most lucrative series in history. I know many gamers say that The Sims suck, but it's hard to ignore this game since it's the best selling game ever. And although the game is getting dated, people still play / buy it. Look at the top selling games every week. Surprisingly, this final expansion pack adds plenty of new things for you and your sims to do. It's almost hard to believe that the new additions are fun and fairly innovative. Either way, if you love it or hate it, Makin' Magic is out and it’s the end of the series. If you loved The Sims, you'll probably grab the expansion pack to complete your collection anyway. This final add-on will definitely occupy you before The Sims 2 comes out."
Final score: 74%
Final score: 74%
"The new gameplay spices things up a bit without ditching the core concepts first introduced back in 1998 with the original Sims game. There might even be enough in there to attract gamers who have never touched a Sims game before - just make sure you have played at least a little bit of the original game to minimise confusion. For those that have been playing the series for a while, this departure from the core Sims gameplay might seem a little overwhelming or alarming - this really is quite different to everything that has come before it in the Sims universe. Whether it is you or not, well, only you can decide. But if you are at all uncertain, you should definitely check it out - it's well polished and definitely adds to the experience."
Final score: 3.5 out of 5
Final score: 3.5 out of 5
"The final expansion pack adds lots of options and the ability to eliminate a number of menial tasks and the end result is a great set of Sims games that compromise one of the greatest series in history."
Final score: 85 out of 100
Final score: 85 out of 100
"I suppose it is fitting, or at least ironic, that a game which began as a send up of reality would end as a send up of "surreality," where characters can now pitch themselves into rabbit holes to gain access to Magic Town and while away their time engaging in magical duels or purchasing some obscure ingredient to help turn their pet cat into a Sim they can cuddle with while watching TV. While certainly not the most inspired of concepts, it's still quite fun to explore, experiment and integrate the game's additions into your Sims' world even after the novelty of its spells wears off."
Final score: B-
Final score: B-
"According to EA, this is the last expansion to this game until the anticipated release of The Sims 2. I understand why this is the last expansion because this is like the candy sparkles over the top. It allows you to make living in this game much easier yet in a very crazy and haywire way, especially when your spells go bad. Definitely kept me entertained for many hours and I have to say I liked it a lot. I think they did a great job on the last expansion set and I cannot wait for the sequel of this game."
Final score: 8.0 out of 10
Final score: 8.0 out of 10
"The Sims has been one of the most popular games of all time; naturally, each expansion has sold like hotcakes. Makin Magic will shouldn’t be an exception. It adds a lot of fun and magic, as well as some interesting new items and jobs to partake in. Seeing as it is the final The Sims expansion, it’s a great way to end the series before the launch of the sequel. If you are a The Sims fan then you can’t forget to get this exceptional addition to their world."
Final score: 42 out of 50
Final score: 42 out of 50
"The final expansion pack for The Sims will provide you with a remarkable amount to do and see, providing that you're not tired of the premise or gameplay. It may not make any significant improvements to The Sims, but if that's not a problem for you, Makin' Magic can be wholeheartedly recommended."
Final score: 8.5 out of 10
Final score: 8.5 out of 10
"If you loved The Sims, you'll probably grab the expansion pack to complete your collection anyway. Makin' Magic is not bad - in fact, it has real potential to deliver some quite enjoyable gameplay. To get to that point, however, requires a larger investment of time than any previous expansion pack. If you expect that you'll live in a magical world, casting spells left and right and hanging out with vampires and undead comics within ten hours, then think again. Now we know why Darren Stevens took a hard line with Samantha and forbade magic in his house."
Final score: 2.5 out of 5
Final score: 2.5 out of 5
"Maxis has announced that Makin' Magic will be the very last expansion pack for The Sims (the studio will henceforth focus on development of the upcoming sequel, The Sims 2). Like other expansion packs that preceded it, Makin' Magic presents plenty of interesting additions to the original game, but it also adds a whole lot more of them. If you're a fan of The Sims, you've probably already ordered this expansion pack--especially since it's the last one. If you're on the fence about it, and you're not especially put off by the incongruous setting, Makin' Magic offers plenty of interesting things to occupy you and your little computer people before The Sims 2 comes out."
Final score: 8.3 out of 10
Final score: 8.3 out of 10
"Makin' Magic is easily the best expansion pack Maxis has yet created for The Sims. It includes 175 objects, plenty of new interactions, NPCs, and more. When Maxis decides to end an era in gaming, it goes out with a bang!
Now, on to The Sims 2... "
Final score: 4 out of 5
Now, on to The Sims 2... "
Final score: 4 out of 5
"Makin' Magic will be Maxis's last expansion for The Sims. Whether this makes you rejoice or want to cry depends on a number of things, but if you are at all a fan of The Sims and have enjoyed the previous expansions, you'll definitely want to check this one out."
Final score: 8 out of 10
Final score: 8 out of 10
"Compared to previous expansion packs, I'd liken Makin’ Magic to House Party. Parties and magic are fun, but thankfully not a required element of game play. However, those who are looking to take maximum advantage of the new offerings in Makin’ Magic will find plenty to keep themselves busy with. The new Magic Town, host of object additions, and backward compatibility with previous expansion packs ensures that fans will stay busy until The Sims 2 is released in a few months. Just don’t expect any drastic formula changes or substantial gameplay additions."
Final score: 7.9 out of 10
Final score: 7.9 out of 10
"There’s a lot of a magic to make here and the new aspects are fun and entertaining. More tutorials other than the first box and an updated interface would work well. But if you have time and patience to balance Sim-caring and magic, this expansion is a keeper."
Final score: B- (Good)
Final score: B- (Good)
"With over 175 new items added to the game this is the largest expansion pack created for The Sims universe. Even from my skeptical eye Makin’ Magic is, hands-down, the best Sims expansion pack to date. No, the new wallpapers and tiles aren’t going to get your house on the cover of Better Homes & Gardens. But EA has succeeded--once again--at pumping life into their most beloved series."
Final score: 8.4 out of 10
Final score: 8.4 out of 10
"Apart from Superstar, Makin' Magic offers the greatest number of additions in terms of actual gameplay. The basic mechanics of the new challenges require the same skills and abilities that you'll use in the rest of the game. Some of your existing Sims will have a leg up in this department but you'll still find that juggling regular life and the new magic path quite demanding. What? Your regular life isn't hard enough?"
Final score: 8.2 out of 10
Final score: 8.2 out of 10
"Even with a few nitpicks; I found myself again entranced and sucked in to the world of the Sims. Was it simply that I hadn’t played it in so long and it felt fresh again? That’s probably a lot of it, but if you’re looking for a reason to reinstall the Sims, go ahead and give the Makin’ Magic expansion a try. There’s more than enough here to keep you busy. Whether you’re trying to find rare ingredients to try that next spell on your list, testing out new recipes or just making sure your Sims crap when they need to… this game is still very capable of stealing large portions of your life from you. Consider yourself warned."
Final score: 85 out of 100
Final score: 85 out of 100
"Praise must be given to Maxis for preserving all that is best in these games. In an industry where expansions often sacrifice core content for dollars, Maxis’ devotion to the essential game play of their creation is admirable. We can’t wait to see what’s coming next."
Final score: 85%
Final score: 85%
""Makin' Magic" is perhaps the best concept of all "The Sims" expansions. It retains the appeal of the original game and also adds new levels of depth to the gameplay. Given the open-ended nature of the series, most hard-core fans will enjoy investing their time here acquiring elusive ingredients and perfecting their hocus pocus, while casual fans will get a kick out of the chaos they can cause spending a few hours playing around with it. Either way it adds up to a rather entertaining and enjoyable PC game, and a satisfying final chapter for the first volume of "The Sims.""
Final score: 4 out of 5
Final score: 4 out of 5
Written at 00:47 2003n Tuesday 23 December 2003 by ChEeTaH.
Last updated at 00:47 2004n Tuesday 30 December 2003.
Last updated at 00:47 2004n Tuesday 30 December 2003.
