How to play

Using the Application

Starting the game

First, highlight the "MySims" icon in the game menu on your phone. Once the game is highlighted, press "Select" (OK) to start the game.

Main Menu

• Game: Start/Continue game, Create/Manage MySims and access Activities.
• Options: Configuration settings.
• Help: Provides information about the various features in MySims.
• About: Legal information.
• High Scores: Top scores recorded from playing Activities.
• More Games: Where to find additional EA Mobile games.
• Exit: Close out game.

How to Play

General Rules
The overall object of the game is to help the characters, discover new locations and activities to engage in and uncover gems to restore the fountain.

Map/Notebook menu
At any time during the gameplay in the game world, you have access to the Map/Items menu. This is a series of tabbed screens that convey various information: the first tab is the Town Map (which enables the Quick Travel option; see below), the second is the Inventory (what items you are carrying and how many of each item), the third is an NPC list (shows NPCs' faces and the player's current Friend Level with that NPC), the fourth is the Fish Log (a list of all fish the player has caught), and the fifth tab is the Task List (a list of Tasks the player currently has to complete).

Quick Travel
As you move around town and discover new locations, these locations become available to access directly via the Quick Travel option. With Quick Travel, the player is shown icons that correspond to different citizens in the town in the Map tab. Once chosen, you will be taken to their location directly without having to walk through town to get there. You can use Quick Travel by pressing the Map key and choosing your destination with the D-Pad.

Inventory
The second tab of the Map/Notebook menu displays your Inventory. This is a complete list of all the items you have and the number of each item the player has acquired.

NPC List
During the course of the game, you meet several Townspeople who are integral to the storyline. You have a Friendship Level with each of the Townspeople (but not Tourists) that is increased by making the townsperson happy. Your current level of Friendship with each NPC is displayed in the third tab of the Map/Items menu (NPC List and is indicated by a bar. A full bar indicates that you have achieved maximum friendship with that person.

Fish Log
The Fish Log is a list of all the fish that you have caught during the Fishing game. It also lists the quantity and largest size of each species of fish that has been caught. For example, if you catch a 2 lb. Bluegill, then later catches a 4 lb. Bluegill, the Bluegill will be represented in the Fish Log with a listing of "4 lbs." Different fish are caught by playing the Fishing game at different places (Pond, Dock, and Beach).

Task List
The Task List shows what Tasks currently need to be completed in order to advance the game's storyline. Once a Task has been initiated, a short description will appear in the Task List. After the Task is complete, the description is removed from the Task List.

Activities
There are six different activities that are unlocked as you meet new characters in the game. In addition, these activities can also be accessed by selecting "Game" from the main menu and then selecting '"Activities". The objective of each activity is listed below:

1. Lei Making: Completing a Task for Ashley to get her crate of Lei-making materials will unlock the Lei game. You must make Leis as quickly as possible by shuffling cards with different colors and matching the requested colors in the lower display. The top display shows how much of the Lei the player has completed.
2. Paragliding: This game is unlocked after completing Marie's task to repair her sail. In the Paragliding Activity, you must avoid the birds while picking up floating diamonds. You will receive 100 points for each blue diamond and 200 points for each red diamond. Pressing Up will cause your character to rise, releasing Up will allow the glider to descend slowly (pressing down will cause it to descend faster). Pick up multiple diamonds of the same color to gain extra points for combos.
3. Skydiving: Skydiving is unlocked once you return the crate of plane parts to Martin. As your character skydives, you must move left or right to grab the diamonds. Blue diamonds are worth 100 points and red diamonds are worth 200 points. Collecting multiple diamonds of the same color in a row will award you with combo bonus points.
4. Racquetball: The Racquetball game is unlocked after you help Timmy clean the racquetball court. An indicator moves back and forth across the bottom of the screen, and you must press OK at the point the indicator ball hits where they want to aim. You must hit the "apple" signs and avoid hitting the "bomb" signs. The more signs you hit in a row without having to serve again, the higher your score will be.
5. Sushi Chef: The sushi chef game is unlocked after you help Charlie recover his fish. Use the legend to see what direction to press the D-Pad for each piece of sushi moving by. Then hit the appropriate D-pad direction as it passes by your character on the conveyor belt to make the dish. Be sure to pay attention to the additional keys being added on later levels and score extra points with some tricky moving ingredients! You will receive 100 points for each successfully completed piece of sushi and certain bonus pieces will be worth 200 points.
6. Fishing: The fishing game is unlocked after you agree to help Joseph clean the pond. Use the D-pad to position your pole and then press up and release it to cast your line. The meter on the left will indicate how far the line will go. Once a fish catches the hook, press down to reel the fish back in. Be careful not to pull too hard or the line will break and the fish will get away.

Saving/Loading
Games are auto saved at the beginning of each phase. A saved game may be resumed from the "Game" option at the main menu. Saved data can also be reset in under "Options".

Tips and Hints

• Repair the Fountain - When you find or uncover a gem, you should place it back in the fountain. This will help restore the town.
• Catch Fish in Different Areas - Different quests require different types of fish. Be sure to catch fish in the lake, from the beach area and off the dock.
• Use the Map to Quick Travel - You can move quickly from person to person by selecting the user on the map and quick traveling to them. Access the map by pressing the left soft key while in game.

FAQ

Q. How does the Star Level affect the game? How do I earn Stars?
A. Your star level directly corresponds to the town's overall happiness. The more stars earned, the happier the town will be, which will result in noticeable improvements and the occasional tourist. Stars are attained in a multitude of ways: By conversing with town folk, completing tasks, and successfully completing activities. It's time to make the town a more attractive place!

Q. Where do the tourists come from?
A. Various tourists will begin to visit the town as it improves and becomes more of a desirable travel destination. If you have created your own custom MySims characters, then they might even come to visit as well. Access "Tourists" from the "Main Menu" to create and edit them.

Q. Can I play an activity without unlocking it within the story-mode or wondering around the town to find it?
A. All activities can also be accessed from the "Main Menu". Go for a high score to achieve one of three possible medals: Gold, Silver, and Bronze. Top scores are saved under "High Scores".

Q. I don't know what to do or where to go next?
A. Firstly, check out your task list in your notebook. If it's something that one of the town's folk mentioned, it will probably be jotted down here. If you're still lost, try talking to people that you may have forgotten about. They might be able to help out. Also remember, certain tasks require obtaining specific medals in activities. If all else fails, explore!

Q. What do I do with the gems once I recover them?
A. You should place each gem back in the fountain to help restore the town.

Q. Is the mobile version the same as the DS game?
A. The mobile version captures the essence of the DS version.