PC - Sims 2, The

Format
PC
Publisher
Electronic
Developer
Maxis
Country of origin
US
Genre
God sim

The Sims 2

By Lyndonimus
11th Oct 04

The Sims, what can I say, I totally loved the original and had many of its expansion packs. I'm a fan and I've been hooked for a long, long time. How could the sequel live up to it's predecessors reputation and be different enough to warrant such a price tag. Could it possibly more than a graphical expansion on the original?

Well, it certainly can, this game feels so familiar, and yet so different from the original I'm still quite amazed at the depth this game has. Every minute detail I randomly find by accident still brings many smiles when they're discovered. To be honest, I don't think I've really found half of what this game has to offer. Firstly and most importantly, the lifetime aspect of the sequel is both a blessing and a curse. In The Sims 2 you take control of your Sims from birth until death. Yes, you Sims grow old and die, while this beings forth a whole new dimension from the game it still saddens me, I don't want my Sim to die, but I do, it's a strange feeling (but for you who dislike it, the manual provides the cheat code to disable the ageing process).

Along with the life span of your Sims there is the new aspiration meter which shows you your Sims hopes and fears, accomplish the hopes and you are rewarded, realise their fears and you are penalised, it's a fun addition that sets up mini goals without the pressure of forcing you to go either way.

In the Sims 2 the role of children has been totally revamped, you go through each key stage in your Sims life, from baby, to toddler, to adolescent, teenager, adult then senior citizen. Fulfilling the aspiration meter along the way provides a longer stress free life, but again, the whole point to the Sims is that it is entirely upto you. You can be kind and help your Sim reach their full potential or you can ruin their lives, cause affairs and many other misdemeanours.

The graphics are a nice update too, allowing you to fully move within the environment you build for your Sim and their respective family. It allows you much greater freedom in designing your Sims facial features, you can easily while away an hour or 2 before even playing the game tweaking your perfect Sim.

There are so many aspects to this game that I can't possibly cover here, it's so open ended and there are so many variables that make my gaming experience different from anyone elses. I'm a nice guy, I can't be horrible to my Sims, I have to help them reach the height of their careers, raise a perfect family and get lots of friends. It's how I play, I'm stuck in this rut and desperately trying to break it to see what other craziness this game has in store for me.

One minor quibble is the lack of options from the original expansions that aren't included in this game, such as jobs (where's the fashion career track?) and pets (I loved my puppy!). But I suppose this are minor gripes that can't really bring the game itself down.

So, love it or hate it, The Sims 2 has made such a huge leap from its predecessor it's definitely worth a look in. Be aware, if hooked, whole days will pass by before you realise you've missed your lunch.

-- Lyndonimus 11th Oct 04

PC Sims 2, The Images