Tomodachi Life

Tomodachi Life reminds me what I love about Nintendo. Another developer might try an experience like this on iOS or Android, but it’s unlikely they would leave it unsullied by in-game purchases. I also doubt that many other studios could nail the effortless humor that makes this so refreshing to play.

In all, Tomodachi Life is filled with pure, unbridled joy. It puts a stupid grin on my face and keeps it there through its duration. Some might complain that it is "not a game," but they can go on hating. It does require the player to put in some love, flair, and wit, but what comes out is magic.

Overall, I think anyone who takes a chance on this unorthodox property will have a positive experience, and hope Nintendo will build upon this franchise.

Tomodachi Life is a hilarious experience that could only come from Nintendo.

Nintendo gets a lot out of mileage out of this Sims-like concept, but still manages to find ways to make it simple, accessible, and entertaining.

This is the sort of game that open-minded players will love if they give it a chance.

A unique experience, something that could only come out of Japan. Do whatever you want with the absurdity of Tomodachi Life.

It’s laid back and it’s a good, clean, silly-fun game that will no doubt appeal more towards a social like audience. As for the hardcore gamers out there, I issue you a challenge: pick up Tomodachi Life, whether you rent, borrow, or play some form of demo, and tell me you haven’t cracked smile.

Stop reading and play: you'll have more fun if you don't know what's coming. [Aug 2014, p.68]

Releasing a game as Japanese as Tomodachi Life in the West has been a brave move from Nintendo, and I think courage must be rewarded: this doesn't mean the game is flawless, but will keep all the ones that are looking for something unusual to play on their 3DS busy.

Tomodachi Life is by far the weirdest game that I’ve ever engaged in. And much like my Miis, the experience has been completely unique.

Tomodachi Life is more toy than game, but it’s an intriguing, colorful, and consistently surprising one.

The latest of Nintendo's experiments to create games with appeal beyond the usual clichés of the medium, Tomodachi Life may actually be the most humanistic creation the company has ever put together. While it could (somewhat notoriously) stand to be more inclusive, its focus on the concrete personalities and tangible interactions of tiny digital people make it one of the most addictive and fascinating life sims ever made.

Ridiculous, hilarious and full of the unique surrealism that Nintendo does so damn well, it’s hard not to fall in love with Tomodachi Life and the characters you create. The sedate pace and minimal interaction might not be everyone’s cup of tea, but this is guaranteed to be a cult hit.

Tomodachi Life finds fun in the most mundane of activities, thanks to quirky style that makes hanging out with digital friends surprisingly engrossing.

Tomodachi Life is like a strange mix between The Sims and Animal Crossing that can lure you in with its awkward and lethargic fun. Maybe it will not be the better choice for an hardcore gamer, but it’s difficult not to find it funny.

Tomodachi Life is the new life simulator game from Nintendo. But that doesn’t mean a boring 9-5 office simulator, it means more mad and crazy Japanese things to do with your Mii kinda game. Which, as far as anyone is concerned, equals awesome.

It is difficult to give Tomodachi Life a direct score, but the game does have the unique Nintendo look, feel and charm.

Tomodachi Life is perhaps best described as the glorious culmination of the Mii concept that was heralded by the release of the Wii back in 2006, and at long last gives your virtual avatar a life of its own — as well as many humorous and entertaining escapades to enjoy.

While life simulators in general give players the opportunity to create a persona and live out that avatar’s life in ways they might not to live their own, this game gives the player the ability to affect dozens of lives without dictating every single moment of any given individual Mii’s existence.

Tomodachi Life has its flaws, but its charms are undeniable. Even at its most repetitive, it's enormously likable, because it has a message that few other games really possess: When you don't have control over life, wonderful things can happen on their own.

Tomodachi Life isn’t for everyone, but it's still a fun game that can also be enjoyed in short bursts when pressed for time.

Despite its relaxing gameplay and great Japanese sense of humor, it can be repetitive at times and even disappointing for those who expect something resembling Animal Crossing.

Although less game and more contemplative, Tomodachi Life leads the simulation of real life hand in hand with comedy and surprise.

Tomodachi Life might not have the lasting appeal of a title like Animal Crossing: New Leaf, but the game certainly offers up an interesting experience — one that will probably appeal for a longer period of time to a much younger audience.

Tomodachi Life is not really a life simulator. If you were expecting a sort of Animal Crossing with Miis, you are going for a huge disappointment. As it is, Tomodachi Life is a fun game to play for a few minutes once in a while: it gets pointless and repetitive fast, but it's always fun to see Miis interact and do weird things.

It is definitely not a game for everyone, but we appreciate Nintendo made the effort to bring such a Japan-oriented title to the West. It's weird, fun and can last ages, so if you're looking for something different, this one can be a great choice.

Tomodachi Life wore out its welcome for me quicker than any Animal Crossing game ever did, due to its comparative lack of structure and progression, and its brilliant spark of creativity fades much more quickly than you'd like.

There are so many hilarious and curiously bizarre moments to be found along the way that even if the journey to fully fledged family life is a short one before the repetition sets in, it's well worth the trip.

If you thought Animal Crossing was too sparse on the gameplay front, Tomodachi Life’s superficial interactions may stretch your definition of the word “game.” In spite of the repetition, this island is a pleasant place to visit, even if I’m not ready to take up a permanent residence.

Tomodachi Life is not what you can call a Nintendo masterpiece but it's a good alternative to Animal Crossing: New Leaf. The Mii's become endearing with time and classic scenes of life come alive in a very smart way. It's always getting funnier and offers some great moments, but we can't ignore the lacking elements that make Tomodachi only a challenger.

Tomodachi Life is a trip into a world where your Miis live out a never-ending series of bizarre and amusing adventures. While I’m glad that Nintendo of America decided to take a chance in bringing it our way, those adventures are unfortunately tainted somewhat due to a few gameplay decisions that really should be rectified in a future sequel.

As a game, Tomodachi Life seems a little weak. But as an absurd sitcom with the Tomodachi's version of your friends, expect some hilarious moments.

A delightfully strange and often surprising piece of work; it’s more plaything than game, perhaps, but the smiles it generates will be broad and frequent.

Controversy aside, Tomodachi Life is a pleasingly directionless life-sim-lite that fans of Animal Crossing should investigate further.

Quotation forthcoming.

Playing Tomodachi Life is no different than life in its purest sense, but it makes one wonder: who’s playing you? Should we care?

It could've been perfect as a 3DS integrated experience, but, as a standalone game, it lacks the depth of other simulations.

Soap opera fans should get involved, but this is frustratingly narrow for everyone else. [Aug 2014, p.77]

There is plenty to philosophize about regarding Tomodachi Life. It’s an alienating product of its own time: we’re dealing with a game where the player is forced, passive-aggressively, to take the role of voyeur. But as a game, Tomodachi Life is never really fun. Tomodachi Life is no more than a stiff repetition exercise that is intriguing, yet kind of boring.

Despite being hilarious the first few hours, Tomodachi Life rapidly becomes tedious. More variation would've been needed for higher grades.

Tomodachi Life is a promising concept, and its abstract sense of humor can be very charming. It does, however, get old fast, and you'll find yourself making the characters say lewd things to keep yourself amused.

Tomodachi Life does its best to cut through a lot of society's hateful garbage to produce an incredible island paradise of distraction and more often than not succeeds, but not without stumbling all over itself, revealing too many embarrassing inner thoughts.

Tomodachi Life is undoubtedly a strange and hilarious game, but there's little to keep you around once the quirky humour starts losing impact.

The pervasive sense of quirkiness in Tomodachi Life works, but can’t sustain the entire game. It’s the type of thing that will make you laugh for a few hours and then you'll never want to pick up again, since it isn’t worth the effort of endlessly doing the same tasks. Sometimes weird isn’t enough.

A bonkers life-sim with bags of personality and lots of charm, the entertaining Tomodachi Life is let down only by its limitations as a gaming experience.

A playground, rather than a game, is what could be used to describe Tomodachi Life. That’s what it’s all about, creating and importing Miis, watch their lives unfold while helping their fulfill their needs. Not the most groundbreaking in terms of socialization games, but it provides some amusing moments. Alas, a god-game this is not and the experience is never immersive or rewarding enough.

Tomodachi Life tries to be fun, and it sorta is. The problem is that it only lasts for an hour or three, and then the magic’s gone forever.

An engaging game for kids, but no more than that. [Issue#149, p.121]

An amusing novelty on a good day but a tedious non-game for the rest of the week, Nintendo’s life simulator proves voyeurism is not all it’s cracked up to be.