I normally love these types of games but was very dissappointed in this offering. The game was so slow with very little happening during very long periods. The "personalities" that characters were given were non existant, aside from the little notes that appeared in the action box. The golden child appeared way too late in the game. It would've been good to have seen him before hand and had to discover for yourself that he could restore the food supply, etc. Once all the puzzles had been completed there really is nothing left to do apart from waiting for your population to reach 90. Plus the only quick way to get a female up to master parent was to have her 'interact' with as many males as possible. How appropriate is this?? The villagers themselves are very limited in what they do and more aspects to their behaviours could be added. Having to locate a food supply to begin with or having more hidden food sources would be good instead of just one main source at any time. I really could go on for a very long time about this game but wont bore you too much.
What age is this game going to be marketed towards anyway? I think 7-8 year olds would be appropriate (although the way to become a master parent should be reviewed - how about interacting with the children after birth?) as there is nothing challenging in its content. The puzzles weren't really intricate enough to earn the name and were really more like tasks.
I hope you take on board some of these comments as I have tried to be as constructive as possible.

You get what you pay for. If you want personality, interaction, relationship development across a broad spectrum, I can heartily endorse The Sims 2. But Sims2 is going to cost you more than $20

Virtual Villagers has some advantages over Sims2. Obviously, it costs less, but it also runs in a small frame if you choose, and you can run it in the background while you do other things (email, chat, <whisper> work!!)

I think VV is great for what it does, but if you are interested in more of a challenge with more variables and more real-world (kinda) interactions and scenarios, check out Sims2 (EA Games).

<<I wryly note that I have played VV almost nonstop since I downloaded it, but have not touched Sims2 in months. Maybe I needed a little vacay in the tropics!>>

Okay. I'd better go see who is doing laundry or chasing the girls when they need to be racking up tech points!

I have Sims for my cell phone and found it very boring. Having to go pee every few minutes is not my idea of fun.

I like VV a lot and also think it is a great game for only $20.

VV, I DO like Virtual Villagers. Were you responding to me?

Another thing I like about VV is the realtime aspect. This has some obvious pitfallas, as well.. But it's cool how even when I'm sleeping, they are running around, fishing, researching and making little villagers, without me having to watch.

Of course, that's one of the hazards, too!

When you shut down the Sims, they are done till you start them back up again.

I like VV. Some of them are awful homely, though. The balding child with the buggy eyes creeps me out.

Quote:

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VV, I DO like Virtual Villagers. Were you responding to me?

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I was responding to your comment about Sims 2. The other wasn't directed toward you which was why I separtated it from the top portion.

Excuse me? I am 45 and have a somewhat better mentality than a 7 year old. Maybe you should try taking the game off the "easy" setting. I found this game fun and additive. I have been playing it for over a month now and have 6 games running. I have lost 4 "hard" villages trying different options, I have played a total of 17 times. Everyone I told this game about finds it wonderful. Maybe its you.
I hope you take on board some of these comments as I have tried to be as constructive as possible.

mizmudgie, I think you are very constructive and very knowledgable. Hopefully, aquababe will step down off her high horse and take some of your advice to heart.

sniff....sniff....do you smell troll?