Having been the subject of multiple extensions for The Sims, our little friends, the animals, now have a good little franchise going for them. However, between dubious achievement, plagiarism and issues of control, I'm not sure those lovers of nature will like this game.

Far from the horrors of war and violence in many current game productions, SimAnimals invites players to create natural landscapes in 3D to install different species of animals. Each playground offers a series of objectives and provides a gauge of happiness that is filled according to the vibrations transmitted by the local fauna and flora. If the ecosystem is good, harmonious vibrations are positive. When the gauge reaches a certain level of filling then a new area, with new challenges becomes available. Although they are separate, different areas are not sealed and it is possible to transfer animals or plants from one to another. Similarly, problems in one place can be exported to another.

The first thing to do in SimAnimals is to take care of the vegetation. Indeed, animals need a nice environment and suitable food to settle in permanently. Whether playing alone or with up to four players simultaneously, we are in the process of shaking the trees, planting flowers or growing vegetables using the Wiimote.

In the nursery, each play area has a predefined set of plants that grow and die over time. Just caress the hand shaped cursor where butterflies are about to get seeds that can then be planted directly or stored in our backpacks. In all, there are about 80 plant species with a detailed data sheet and each of them is likely to be favored by a particular animal. Note that the vibrations they emit depend on many factors such as soil type, watering or the degree of pollution.

The animations are quite cute for animals. In contrast, the sets are modeled in the sickle and display bugs are legion. Whether day or night, the textures are ugly and the natural environments are very insipid.

Directly inspired by Viva Piñata, the developers have imagined a SimAnimals gameplay mechanic that works well, but is not all that surprising. In addition, the controls lack precision and the use of the Wiimote is painful in the long run. The interface seems  poorly thought out, the menus are not practical and inventory management is terrifying.

With more than 30 species of animals, 80 different plants, and a dozen landscapes, we could expect to spend many hours playing with our hedgehogs and our ducks. Unfortunately, you can through SimAnimals in just a few hours unlike Viva Piñata.

Despite the buzz it had generated, SimAnimals is quite disappointing for Wii. Without the benefit or the friendliness of Sims which it descends from directly, or the deepness which Viva Piñata draws in excess, this modest set of environmental management is worth the detour if you are really tired of the urban greyness or the wickedness of men at war.