In the grand scheme of things, we’re all incredibly small–we’re almost powerless, really. So, who wouldn’t love the chance to control the lives of others? To control the destinies of people, families, nations–even worlds?
This is why god-complex games are so fantastic.
Hold on a minute, though–what is a god-complex, anyway?
Well, to put it simply, someone with a god-complex lives under the impression that they can accomplish anything no matter what, and that they are ultimately in control.
I’m sure a lot of us–while maybe not outwardly expressing it–have a god-complex to some degree. God-complex games allow us to channel that inner control-freak and those masochistic desires into video games.
Great, right? Right.
Perhaps the ambassador of all god-complex games is “The Sims” franchise, produced by Maxis (2000-2008) and The Sims Studio (2008-present). “The Sims” is a familiar name to many people, but for those people who are unfamiliar, check this out:
Originally released in 2000 for the PC, “The Sims” quickly became popular. As a life simulation game, it allowed players to control the lives of fictional people called Sims. Sims delighted players with their tendency to urinate on themselves and burn the house down when using the microwave.
It sounds silly, and in many ways it is, but “The Sims” was also very intuitive. A Sim, just like a person (or, more closely, a pet) thrives on being in a good mood and social interaction. If a Sim’s needs are not met, he may throw a fit and pee everywhere.
If a player was in a particularly masochism-inspired mood, they could remove things such as toilets and showers and pool-ladders from a Sim’s world, causing it to become angry or, in the second case, die.
Of course, a player could also provide a Sim with its basic needs. Honestly, though, where’s the fun in that?
Currently, there are three major “The Sims” titles with myriads of spin-off games and mulit-console releases.
A vastly different game of the same kind is Ubisoft’s “From Dust,” which was a multi-console title released in 2011.
In “From Dust,” players are allowed the privilege to act as a god to a tribe of nomadic people.
While not as free-form as “The Sims,” “From Dust” introduces a variety ways for the player to complete tasks and missions, which will eventually aid the tribe is discovering the mysteries of their old tribe.
The player may manipulate the landscape and inhibit natural disasters from injuring the tribe, though a player may allow the tribe to perish (which is probably not ideal).
There are two modes to this game– Story and Challenge.
Story mode allows for the player to experience the plot and shape the world through various plot-related missions, while Challenge mode allows for plotless, fast-paced gameplay.
There are a variety of games available that are sure to satisfy the masochistic and self-centered desires of any gamer. The majority tend to be older, but that doesn’t mean they’re any worse than any current title.
So keep your eyes peeled for your favorite god-complex and life simulation title– they’re all sure to please.
By: Abby Ray