The Guild 2: Some Games Just Shouldn't Try to Compete with the Sims

Understandably, those who purchase The Guild 2 aren't expecting a fast-action game, but the micromanaging that goes on in this game puts The Sims to shame. While sticking close to the ideas in its predecessor, Europa 1400, the repetitive nature can make even the most exciting parts of the game tedious to the point you'll want to cry. Similar to Europa 1400, you start off with a single peasant and concentrate on his upward climb in society by starting a business, achieving a family, and (if you like) runnnig for office. Blending the features of a role-playing game with real-time strategy and simulation, you can choose from a variety of classes and abilities as you gather resources to manufacture your wares. You also have the option to hire guards to dissuade any robbers, or jump the line and become a thief yourself.

Unfortunately, what sounds good in theory doesn't translate very well into practice. The game's focus is based on doing the same thing over and over ad infinitum. The various classes aren't all that different, creating and selling their wares in a similar fashion; even the healers and other professional occupations center on manufacturing and selling. If the resulting monotony doesn't bore you enough, the mind-numbing repetition involved with acquiring the raw materials to produce your wares will make you want to put your fist through the screen just to make things go faster.

Some things just can't be automated, leaving you to guide the cart yourself-over, and over, and over, and…you get the point. You have to manually move workers and carts from your mills, churches, and other places to the market and back. While the pressure isn't overpowering because the town is still relatively quiet throughout the game, this also means it isn't very fun, either. Movement is also frequently buggy, requiring a bit of deft maneuvering on your part to get it to work right.

Building relationships in the game can be equally tedious and frustrating, if not outright creepy and bizarre. When trying to gain the favor or vote of a local town official, you continually compliment him and offer bribes again and again (ala The Sims 1); with enough compliments and money to the right people, you're guaranteed to be elected. To gain a spouse, just compliment them and give gifts enough times in succession and they'll say "yes". Kissing strangers or asking if they want to take a bath with you may actually give you favor with them, which in my opinion is just plain scary.

Yes, there's plenty to like about The Guild 2: you'll find numerous opponents from unlikely sources, ready to take your business (or you) down and willing to do anything to achieve it. The audio is stilted and forgettable, but the graphics are quite attractive, giving you a good overview of the town your character lives in. Clothing and backgrounds both mesh well with the 15th century environment. The problem is, even with these bright spots, the sheer monotony of gameplay makes it difficult to stay interested for more than a few hours.

The Guild 2 may have been a good idea, but in practice it's basically nothing more than The Sims in a medieval setting. You may learn a thing or two about the Middle Ages when playing this game, but the boredom hardly makes that lesson worth it. If you want to learn about this time period, it's better to read a book or watch a History Channel program than play this game-it's more effective, and certainly less tedious.