There is just a minor problem at the law firm of Gordon and Gordon. It seems the male Gordon can’t keep his hands off the female staff, and his wife (the other half of the partnership the firm is named for) is tired of it.

Almost sounds like a lost segment of "Ally McBeal," doesn’t it.

The Partners, a PC release from Monte Cristo, has all the office antics one would expect, and a few elements that are unexpected.

This game is quite similar to The Sims, only in a limited setting. There is an office, that must be furnished (if you play the freeplay option), or you can indulge in one of the scenarios (like that of the Gordons).

While the office is awash with passion, and other personality games, there is the undercurrent of the law practice. These folks are actually lawyers and must have an income source in order to flourish. Cases will pop up before you during the game, and you can both accept them and assign them, or decline them.

This game does have a wide range of options in freeplay mode. You can select any number of attorneys, then set up their individual interests as well as their relationship status with their fellow employees. You can add-on to the offices and furnish them however you see fit. There is the usual assortment of office furniture available, as well as entertainment items, such as pool tables and television sets. Decorative items range from cityscapes to hang on the wall to statues.

When it comes to the interpersonal relationships, there is flirting, joking, kissing and touching (examples of the latter would likely be fodder for a harassment suit for any law firm).

The control elements of this game are of the point-and-click variety. You select a character, then click on where you want them to go. If you are interested in interacting with another character, all you have to do is right click to bring up a list of actions the character can execute. All the characters in the settings will function on their own, for the most part, and you can select anyone and give them a command.

While the game throws lawsuits into the mix (success equals prestige, not just income), the real thrust of this game is the relationships.

The Sims is set in a social atmosphere, a home (amid the other ventures the series has currently added), with the characters in that game disappearing for work. The Partners is the other side of that coin. The social setting for this game is the office.

So, is this The Sims at work? In some regards it is, but The Partners seems to lack the overall depth of play that The Sims thrives on.

There is no Sims-style of communication, but the characters in The Partners look like Sims as well as moving and gesturing like them.

What does set this game apart from the EA franchise is the three campaigns, each with seven missions.

This game is entertaining but really doesn’t have the depth of play that The Sims sports.

This game is not rated.

Gameplay: 7
That the characters have their own personalities and are capable of independent movement is very nice. Unfortunately the game does have some stability problems which cause lock-ups ­ which certainly hinders game play.

Graphics: 7.5
The graphics are Sims clones, and while not bad, they remain clones.

Sound: 6.8
There isn’t much here, but what is in place seems appropriate, though merely average for this style of game.

Difficulty: Easy
This program is easy to jump into and play. There is a tutorial, which will give players the rudiments of controlling the game, and the learning curve should be 10 minutes.

Concept: 6.8
The idea of a campaign with missions is quite nice, but this game has too many similarities with that program from Electronic Arts.

Multiplayer: N/A

Overall: 7
The Partners is not a bad program, it just isn’t as unique as it could have been. Stability problems hinder game play. This is entertaining, but lacks the depth of the king of this genre.