Gaming Zone
Introduction
For years I have kept a big folder with all kinds of cheats and codes I have for my games. This has become a large,
messy file and so I decided to place it all on my website for safe keeping and share with others.
Then I found how much work was involved and decided to not put it on Laila Mania...I have hundreds of games for all types
of consoles and genres, so I have decided to do something else with this folder.
However that said I have decided to keep detailed walkthroughs, cheats and information on my top ten games of all time, or
what I like to call my 'Desert Island Games'. These are the games that I would NEED if I was stranded, alone on a desert
island...Yes I can't live without my games!
I guess in 'The Sacred Church of Gaming' I would fall into the simulation genre, I'm a sim/Tycoon/Theme monkey, I love
minatures, creativity and ruling the world.
If you come across anything in these walkthroughs I have put together to be incorrect or plain stupid, please let me know.
Likewise if you would like to have more features on this gaming section OR you have a question about ANY game just ask. I'm
confident I will know the answers or have the cheats. Send your e-mails to: games@lailamania.com
Desert Island Games List
1. The Sims 2 [Review]
2. Sim City Societies [Review]
3. Animal Crossing Wii
4. Pharaoh [Cheats]
5. Theme Hospital [Cheats]
6. Viva Piñata
7. Pikmin
8. Ultima Online
9. MySims [Review] [Cheats Wii] [Guide Wii / DS]
10. Spore [Review] [Guide]
The Sims 2
Developer: Maxis
Publisher: Electronic Arts
Release Date: 17th September 2004
The Good: Everything!
The Bad: Ok, so I'm going to be sensible here no game is 100% sound and unfortunately The Sims 2 doesn't escape.
The downside to this game is it's controls, they are convoluted and tricky. For a long standing Sim player you launch
into them naturally and each expansion pack adds more, you learn as you go. I have no trouble with these controls, BUT
someone who has never played before who decides to have a go on someone else’s, quickly becomes defeated by
the controls. I don't have a better solution though, considering you have so many options they are laid out the best
possible way possible. So I guess that’s the downside not very 'Newbie' friendly.
My Guide: There isn't one. It is pointless making a walkthrough for a game that never ends and seems to much of a
task to write a game guide. However I am confident I know 98% of what this game has to offer, so if there is anything you
want to know, anything at all, about The Sims 2 then please contact me.
Cheats: Nope I haven't done this either, however many cheats and additional information can be found under my Filming Tips in
The Sims 2 section of Laila Mania, so check that out it may hold the answer.
Sim City Societies
Developer: Maxis
Publisher: Electronic Arts
Release Date: 16th November 2007
The Good: Many years ago I discovered Sim City (the original) while watching 'Games Master', ever since I have been
hooked not only to Sim City games, but simulation and Will Wright titles. This series single handily shaped my
gaming interest. So in my mind this is a big plus for me, I can't wait to get my hands on this latest instalment.
The Bad: This game was a total disappointment, the first Sim City game that didn't hole my attention, I only played
it for a few hours for a couple of days and haven't played it since. It is a totally different game, it shouldn't be titled
Sim City, all the function of the game I loved has been removed and replaced with a totally new form of play. If it's
not broke don't fix it. I will be disregarding this game and sticking with Sim City 4, maybe I would have enjoyed this game
if it wasn't marketed as a Sim City game but a whole new simulation game altogether.
My Guide: I will make a guide about building a successful metropolis, it will be accompanied by pictures and tips
Cheats: I'm sure there will be some, I hope one of them will let you change your advisors to llamas like Sim City 4, I will list the
cheats here as soon as I know any.
Animal Crossing Wii
Developer: Nintendo
Publisher: Nintendo
Release Date: TBC
The Good: To me this seemed like a completely original idea and they are far and few between these days. I
love the cuteness of the game (which was surprising) and found it shockingly addictive. No death or destruction with
great music and characters. I love that it is all real-time; the game uses the internal clock to determine time of year
and day. There are seasons and shops and neighbours which only open or are about during certain hours, all year round fun.
The Bad: I have sat here for awhile trying to think of one...I would say that all ages can play and I have known
some of the most unlikely gamers get into this game. You have the freedom to visit other players towns and also share
your villagers, nope I think this game is very versatile and all should try it because you never know, you just might
enjoy it.
My Guide: I made a guide for the Game Cube and DS versions, but never converted it to the new style of Laila Mania, instead I
shall wait for the new Wii version, which is bound to be far superior, and make a guide for it here.
Cheats: When I know some I shall place them here.
Pharaoh
Developer: Impressions Games
Publisher: Sierra Entertainment
Release Date: 31st October 1999
The Good: This game is fantastic; it has a brilliant balance of game play, simple but immersive graphics and
superior sound effects (strange but true). I have played many games like this including civilisation games, Age of
Empires and Caesar and while these are all great games none come close to this compelling game. I love that you can
direct the game to your liking, if you like war based sims you can choose those missions over the ones that encourage
the development of civilisation. There is an expansion called 'Cleopatra' which is also worth buying.
The Bad: There are SO many levels, this game goes on forever. So it can become repetitive, I tend to play it
solidly and get through a few more levels and then give it a rest for a few months and then I go back to it and attack
a few more levels followed by another rest, BUT I always, ALWAYS go back and play it again. It was launched in 1999 and
to this day it's still on heavy playing rotation. I guess it's a silver lining: So many levels I have been playing it
for years without a repeat of a single level.
My Guide: This guide covers a flow chart of buildings and effective cities layouts.
Cheats: I have a nice list of cheats for this game HERE.
Theme Hospital
Developer: Bullfrog
Publisher: Electronic Arts
Release Date: 31st March 1997
The Good: I don't know where to start with the praise. This is another game like Pharaoh where I never
dreamed that more then a decade later I would still be playing it. It's like an upgrade to Theme Park with better
graphics and of course a new theme, it's hard to pin point what keeps me returning to this game, could it be the
cool graphics (bearing in mind it's 1997 release), funky sounds or the amazing amount of control you have over
the hospital? I can't be sure, but it's a must for all simulation players.
The Bad: It does have bad like all games, doctors can randomly get stuck in a doorway and you can never remove
them you have to restart the level. If a piece of equipment explodes in a room it becomes condemned and you can never
use the room again you can't even demolish the room and regain the space. Lastly the receptionist, yep many times I
have felt the need to kill the receptionist, she repeats herself far to often with a piercing voice.
My Guide: There is a small guide which is good for the higher levels, my tips on the best locations of rooms.
Cheats: I can't say I need the cheats to get through this game, but some days cheating is all you feel up for, check out my cheat
list HERE.
Viva Piñata
Developer: Rare
Publisher: Microsoft
Release Date: 01st December 2006
The Good: This is another one of those games that I consider one of a kind, I can't really compare it to
anything I have seen before. I love the bright colours, the cuteness and when I play I feel compelled to attract
larger and greater animals, why? I don't know why. I feel the great need to find the variants and grow all the plants
available, the music is great and all the animals have funky names. It is also accompanied by a lovely story and
interesting characters.
The Bad: I believe that this game has been marketed for the wrong age group, Rare even developed the cartoon to
increase interest, but I simply believe this game is too complicated and difficult for young players. Don't be fooled
by the kinder garden feel of this game, it is quite challenging.
My Guide: My guide lists all the types of Piñatas, plus many other tips and hints for the game.
Cheats: I have not listed any cheats for this game, for easy money tips and such see my guide.
Pikmin
Developer: Nintendo
Publisher: Nintendo
Release Date: 14th June 2002
The Good: This is the game that set me on a path to a new theme of cute and colourful games. I hold this
place for both Pikmin AND Pikmin 2, they are both lots of fun and once again I had never seen anything like it before,
another original idea. I found it amazing that I would become worried about my Pikmins safety and treated them with
great care. This is more of a puzzle game then anything else and you only have a certain amount of days to complete
the building of your spacecraft (or collect rubbish in Pikmin 2).
The Bad: The only real downside of this game is that it does end, it's the only one on my top 10 games that has
a clear cut ending and frankly I didn't want it to end. There are no bugs in this game that I could find and it had a
great tutorial and eased you into the game without any fuss.
My Guide: This guide covers not only Pikmin, but also Pikmin 2. It has maps for each level to show you where all the parts are that you need
to collect, details on the different Pikmin and instructions on how to retrieve the parts in the time frame provided.
Cheats: I've never used any cheats for this game so never ever looked for any. Sorry none available.
Ultima Online
Developer: Origin
Publisher: Electronic Arts
Release Date: 30th September 1997
The Good: This was the first MMORPG, the only MMORPG on my list and I joined it 10 years ago. I have played
many MMORPG over the years and this is the only one I keep returning too. World of Warcraft was limiting and repetitive
and The Sims Online (never released in this country) was totally disappointing mainly due to its silly, unnecessary limits.
Well not Ultima Online you can pretty much do anything even buy your own house in the middle of a fantastical world.
The Bad: The worse thing about this game is that it still looks like the first MMORPG ever launched even the reborn
addition with all new graphics still looks horrendously dated. EA were very short sighted when they cancelled the making
of Ultima Online 2 (would have been similar looking to World of Warcraft), EA felt it wouldn't bring in as much as it would
have cost them to make it...fools.
My Guide: This game is bigger and more involved then The Sims 2 so there is no guide, however I have listed my characters and pictures of
my house should you ever visit Britannia.
Cheats: None cheats available.
MySims
Developer: Electronic Arts
Publisher: Electronic Arts
Release Date: 21st September 2007
The Good: Being a massive Sims fan this of course was going to make my top 10 games. They have even taken away
the needs such as going to the toilet and having to sleep, you can still do these things, but you aren't restricted by
them. This game has been a lot of fun to play and I would say even after 70 hours of game play it still has plenty more
in it.
The Bad: Unfortunately this game does glitch...alot and does carry bugs, it isn't as smooth as other sim
games I have played. In addition the 'Create-A-Thing' can be very frustrating particularly when your are trying to make
something quite intricate, it has made me very frustrated on numerous occasions lastly this game SHOULD have an 'Undo'
button. That said it hasn't put me off playing this game and it still is on this list, the good does outweigh the bad.
My Guide: Im writing one as you read this, as I play I shall update this guide, it covers 81 characters that you can attract, essences,
areas of town you can unlock and much more, Check It Out! I also have one for MySims DS HERE!
Cheats: I have found a couple for MySims (Wii), so HERE they be.
Spore
Developer: Maxis
Publisher: Electronic Arts
Release Date: 07th September 2008
The Good: Will Wright has done it again, I lay in wait for the launch of this game and I have been following all
reports, interviews and press releases for this game for the past couple of years. I'm even considering booking three
weeks off work for this release, it seems to be completely original and possibly the ultimate god game for simulation players.
The Bad: Bad? BAD!? There can't be anything bad about his game, but I will need to play it to be sure.
My Guide: I won't make a guide for this game, however I will list all designs along with my ID tag HERE.
Cheats: I'm sure there will be cheats and if I find any of any decent use I shall list them HERE, watch this space.