The Sims 2 Nightlife Expansion Pack Review

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(More customer reviews)I've been playing Sims 2 on the PC since it was introduced and own all 3 upgrades. Now, I've bought everything available for the Mac to play when I travel. Frankly, I wouldn't want to play Sims 2 without Nightlife.

Dating is the most important capability Nightlife brings to the game. I find it tedious to build and maintain relationships with the base game. Dating lets you monitor both sides of a social relationship, and also tends to focus the participating sims on each other. This makes it easier to build strong relationships and to fulfill high-value wants and earn aspiration points. If you have lots of aspiration points, you don't have to resort to cheats to maintain needs or to keep sims from aging before you want them to. The first thing you'll want to do for any sim you play is to give them at least one strong dating relationship so they can top off their aspirations when they need to. Let's face it, it's easier to face going to work when you had a little hot romance the previous night.

The essential dating tool is a car. Now you can go out or drive to work in your own car. Picking up your date in a hot car immediately improves the date score. But the real reason for owning a car is that if two sims are seeking initimate reactions and a car is on the lot, chances are they'll want both WooHoo and WooHoo in Car, which nets you double rewards for a single interaction. If you have a car, a little time on a date can quickly make the sims' aspirations go platinum while building up lots of aspiration rewards that let you buy Energizers, Elixer of Love dispensers, and Thinking Caps. With those, you can make your sims accomplish almost anything you want.

Chemistry is a new Nightlife feature that can be a lot of fun. By defining Turn-Ons and Turn-Offs for sims, chemistry simulates what we all feel, greater attraction for some people, less for others. NPCs have their own Turn-On's and Turn-Offs, but can specify them for sims you play and change them when you want. When you let sims function autonomously, chemistry works with memories and other attributes to make their interactions more complex. When you control the sims, it's easier or more difficult to establish friendships and romances, depending on the chemistry they sims feel for each other.

New with Nightlife is the ReNuYuSenso Orb, which lets you change sims' Aspirations as well as their Turn-Ons and Turn-Offs. With the Orb, a sim can start out with a Family aspiration and change to a Knowledge aspiration when the kids are in school. In other words, your sims deepest desires can change as they mature. I use the Orb a lot.

Nightlife includes Downtown, which provides a many more destinations the sims can travel to, including restaurants, clubs, and bowling alleys. Sims 2, even with University, is a bit dull in terms of social destinations. You'll find dating a lot more interesting in Nightlife. You can also send sims on friendly outings. Outings are more challenging than dates since you're managing interactions between more than two sims, but they enable your sims to meet strangers and start building relationships with large numbers of people. When your sim is invited out on an outing, they'll arrive at a destination with several friends, some of which are likelyk to be strangers. If your sim is on a career path that requires lots of friends, outings can make it much easier to get the friendships started. (I still miss some of the things you could do in Sims 1 parks, such as sailing boats. In Sims 2, parks are pretty dull places by comparison.)

In summary, the emphasis of Nightlife is on sim's social lives. Relationships are richer and the range of social interactions is much more extensive. I'd hate to play The Sims 2 without Nightlife.

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Product Description:
Sims 2: Nightlife takes your Sim into the night. Explore all of your favorite after-dark activities as you discover your Sims' love lives or have a crazy night out with friends. With the new dating gameplay, players will see if their Sims have chemistry with others, which will determine their romantic fate. Make your Sims nightlife fantasy a reality with over 125 new objects including a DJ booth, poker table and all you need to design the ultimate nightclub and VIP lounge.

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The Sims Mega Deluxe (The Sims / House Party / Livin' Large / Hot Date) Review

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(More customer reviews)If for some reason you don't own The Sims, now's your time to buy it.The Sims Deluxe, includes The Sims and three expansion packs - Livin' Large, House Party, and Hot Date.This is an excellent bargain because for about the same price two years ago, you could only buy The Sims.It's definitely worth the money and you should get a lot of fun out of this game like I did.
In case you didn't know, The Sims is a real-life simulator where you have the ability to create and run your own family of Sims and build and furnish the houses they live in.This game is a lot of fun because the gameplay is virtually limitness - you can do pretty much whatever you want with your Sims - you can give them a great job with tons of money, you can marry your neighbour and start a family, or you could purposely set your house on fire!Anything's possible on The Sims.The object of the game is to keep your Sims' happy, while entertaining yourself as well.There are many household items that you can buy and your Sims can interact with these in their house.Some items, such as refridgerators, showers, beds, and toilets, fill Sims' needs so that they can be in the best mood possible.Your Sims can work and bring home the bacon to buy new things for their home, or they can slack off and watch the unpaid bills roll in!
The expansion packs are as follows:
Livin' Large - The first ever Sims expansion comes with many new items, many decor styles, new skins for your Sims, new career possibilities and a whole lot more.This one's a must for any Sims player.
House Party - Your Sims have the ability to throw parties!Along with many cool new items and skins, your Sims can throw parties that can balloon, or bust, depending or what kind of a good host your Sim is!If your party is good enough, you might get a celebrity over to your Sims' house...
Hot Date - Your sims can finally leave their homes!The new "Downtown" area is a place where Sims can take their dates, eat, shop, or just chill.
All the expansion packs are highly worthwhile, and will extend the amount of things to do on The Sims.The only complaints I have are minor ones - The isometric graphics are a little outdated after 4 years, but they still provide the same fun experience.The sounds remain pretty much the same, except for some new music in House Party and Hot Date (The sim-language rap from House Party is great! (kind of...)
Although this game might not be for everyone, I still highly recommend that you try it out, who knows, it might be for you, it might not be for you, but if it is for you, you'll probably spend a lot of waking hours playing this!You can thank me later.

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Product Description:
The Sims Mega Deluxe bring home the fun and laughter of the Sims games -- hours and hours of fun for an affordable price! Features The Sims Deluxe, Livin' Large, Hot Date and House Party.

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Sims 2 Holiday Edition Review

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(More customer reviews)....since the Holiday Stuff pack came out, which includes the same plus even more holiday items, you'd be better off buying the regular Sims 2 base game and the Holiday Stuff pack rather than this.

However, if you don't want to spend the extra cash for the Holiday stuff pack and would be happy with only two-thirds the amount of holiday objects, then this would be the way to go to save some money.

Either way, the Sims 2 is SIMply awesome and well worth the money!!Just be sure your computer meets the game's system requirements before buying it, as it is highly 3-D graphics and memory intensive.

I've been playing Sims 2 for almost a year now and this is one game that you can really never tire of.Maxis is always coming out with new stuff add-ons and expansions to keep it interesting.I have all of the expansions and add-ons out so far and plan on getting all future releases, too.It's that fun!!!

~~~~Remember:This is a BASE GAME EDITION, exactly the same as the regular Sims 2 BASE GAME except with some extra holiday objects, and NOT an expansion!!~~~~

Later note: This review was written *prior* to the holiday 50% price cut.

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Product Description:
Sims 2 Holiday Edition is a limited release version of The Sims 2 with special holiday items! Take your Sims from cradle to grave thru life's biggest moments. Will they strive for popularity, fortune, romance, family or knowledge? Mix their genes, fulfill their dreams, and push them to extremes. Decorate the house, serve a festive dinner, experience Santa's arrival, and throw a rockin' New Year's Eve Bash! Serve a holiday feast for the whole family, see Santa or Mrs. Claus' arrival on Christmas Eve, or throw a happening New Year's Eve party and set off some fireworks!

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The Sims Vacation Expansion Pack Review

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(More customer reviews)I sound like a broken record but The Sims: Vacation is absolutely the best expansion pack Maxis has produced yet.
I've made four pages of notes so let's get started with the new objects available in Buy Mode:
* New Pool Chairs and patio table
* "Critter Creek" Lounger (for the lodge)
* Beach bench and picnic table (table looks like it's been carved with those "I love so-and-so" and "Joe was here" type of messages)
* Sew Doe Sofa
* The NoTell Motel Bed (lime green comforter with yellow headboard)
* Lodge-Type Bed with logs (very cool!)
* Souvenir Storage System
* Curio Cabinet
* Wall Cabinet
* Tree Trunk Coffee Table (extremely neat!)
* Polar Bear Rug
* Floral Fencing
* Rock Fence
* New Clock Post
* Sim Mars Video Game
* ST2 - Barky's Revenge Video Game
* Blue Barbecue Grill
* New Buffet Table
* Shower Tub Aqua-Fluvium
* Redwood Hot Tub
* Octane Drain Camp Lantern
* Midnight Bison Table Lamp
* Volleyball Court
* Pool Slide
* New Mirrors
* Water Lilies, Cattails, Tumbleweed and other plants
* New Trees
* Moderne Decko Arch
* Deluxe Awning
* New Staircases
* New Fireplaces (Stone-looking, very fancy)
* New Windows (All Kinds)
* New Doors
* New Floors and Walls
There are also new objects only available on Vacation Island:
* Frost Fortress for Snowball Fights
* Water Balloon Fortress
* Alpine Snow Slide (The Sims love this!)
* Igloo You Can Rent for the Night
* Dart Game With Balloons
* Archery
* Strength O'Meter
* Chicken Toss Game
* Bust-A-Clown (Water Game where Sims shoot water into a clown's mouth to make his head explode)
* Whack-a-Will
* Carnival Prize Booth to Redeem the Tokens You Win at Games for Prizes
* Super Pipe for Snowboarding (The Sims love this too!)
* Eco-Dependency Recliner (The description says two Sims sit in these side-by-side chairs and one's mood rubs off on the other)
There's also a clothing rack just for kids so now your Sim kids can buy bathing suits, pajamas, etc. like the adults do in downtown. Also, kids and adults can purchase Winterwear so they won't be cold in the mountains.
The Vacation Director also tells you that if you go to the pool, for example, in your winterwear or if you go to the colder climates in your swimsuit that you will be "VERY uncomfortable."
If you want to be completely surprised by Vacation, you probably don't want to read the rest of this review. Spoiler Alert!
When your Sims are ready to redeem their tokens for prizes, they can choose from a wooden squirrel, lava idol, stuffed penguin, coconut monkey, quartz skull, stuffed guinea pig, chicken cookie jar or a baby doll. Each one requires a certain amount of tokens that you have to win by playing the various games on Vacation Island.
When you go to lots that have ducks on the water, the ducks actually move and quack.
Depending on what lot you're on (such as snow or beach), the rental shack has different functions. For instance, you can't rent a sandcastle kit when you're staying on a lot that has snow. Here are the various things you can rent: picnic basket, metal detector, bow and arrow, fishing pole, tent (for the night), igloo (for the night), snowman kit, sandcastle kit and a bow and arrow for archery.
The Sims love to fish. So far, I've seen them catch some sort of pond grass goo, fish (they throw them back) and a boot.
One of my Sims used a metal detector. He found money, an arrowhead and also a boot. He even brought the boot home and put it right on the kitchen table!
Your Sims can "play" in both the tents and igloos.
There are also new kid interactions. What I've discovered so far is rough house (the two Sims look like they're throwing play punches), kids can do a handstand, crazy dance and play, rock, paper, scissors. These are just the ones I've seen so far but Maxis said there are tons of new kid interactions.
The manual also states to look out for the "flying hug." My Sims haven't done that yet but it's worth mentioning.
Also, and this is so cute, when my Sim adult and her son were making a snowman, they got all three pieces of the snowman put together (his body). Then the boy jumped into his mother's arms and she held him close to the snowman's face so he could put on the snowman's eyes, mouth, nose, scarf and hat.

Another thing I've noticed is that when your Sims build a snowman, they have different hats. Some Sims will put a baseball cap on the snowman, others might put a straw hat. I've seen three different hats so far.
I haven't had any bugs or other problems. It takes a bit longer to load with all of the previous expansion packs installed. I have 128 megs of RAM and don't have any issues with the game running slowly. I have heard of others who have a lot more memory who also say it takes a while for the game to load.
But it's nothing serious and it definitely isn't worth passing up this expansion pack for if you really want it.
I hope this info helps!

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Product Description:
Note: This is an expansion pack for The Sims - You must have The Sims to use this program The Sims: Vacation is a great new expansion that takes you on a fun vacation Sims style!

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The Sims Bustin' Out Review

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(More customer reviews)A downfall of all the "Sims" games out for the PC is that they require TONS and tons of memory.Running out of memory on my PC and laptop, I had to do some "spring cleaning" and get rid of a few programs.I love all of the "Sims" games, but they just take up too much space.Well, there is a solution to that problem.
"The Sims: Bustin' Out" is now available for PS2, and I admit that I was a little doubtful at first.Nine out of ten times the graphics will never be better than the PC.Well, this is the rare instance where the PS2 version has better graphics than the PC.You get incredible zoom in functions that were very limited to merely clicking on the PC version while on the PS2 you can smoothly zoom in and out with the analog stick.The load time is ten times quicker than it ever was on the PC and the controls are more than adequate, although I must warn you that it does take some time to get used to.The longer you play, the quicker you will get used to the controls.
For those who aren't familiar with the "Sims" games, the premise is pretty simple to follow.It's like living a computerized life.You create people and have them live their lives while making sure all of their needs are met.You can have them live successful and filling lives, or you can be the reason for their torment and suffering.It's up to you.You call the shots and make the decisions.You can either play "Bust Out Mode" or "Free Play" ("Free Play" becomes available once you start "Bust Out Mode" and save).Also, if you have the ability to play games online, this game comes with an online mode that you can play as well.
As I've said, the graphics on the PS2 version are far more superior to that of the PC version.And what's great is that now you can enjoy the wonderful world of "The Sims" without wasting all of that computer memory.It does, however, eat through your Memory Cards (which you need in order to play), so make sure you have one or two that are only for this game and for nothing else.If you only want to create one Sim, then you'll be fine with only one Memory Card that has nothing else saved on it, but if you want to make more, you will need at least another one to go along with that one.That is really the only downfall of the game, but it is something that can be worked around.
Be warned.This game WILL eat up your time without you even being aware of it.What you think will be a simple fifteen minute game can easily turn into a three hour game and you wouldn't even notice.That's how addicting this game is.If you don't have the time to be addicted to a game, then you may want to pass this one up.
"The Sims: Bustin' Out" for the PS2 is a remarkable game that surprisingly outdoes the PC version.The graphics are great, the controls are very workable, and the replay value is off the charts.This is one of the few games that can show you that PC doesn't always mean "better."Save that memory on the PC and pick up the PS2 copy of "Bustin' Out," and let the fun begin. -Michael Crane

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The Sims: Bustin' Out opens up a whole new world of exploration for your Sims!

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The Sims Livin' Large Expansion Pack Review

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(More customer reviews)Doing game reviews for BellaOnline.com, I tend to buy a new game every 3days to play. There are few that really grab a tight hold of me ... butthis was definitely one. As soon as it came out, I bought one copy for meand another as a present for a relative. That night I was up until 5amplaying my couple - a criminal and a psychic - and building them up incareer. Blearily I trudged to bed, dreaming of my Sims.
The next night Ipromised myself I'd show a little more self control. I created a musiciansim - in a fit of amusement I chose Britney Spears - and her partner PrinceWilliam. I wanted to have a little fun - I put him into a Robin Hoodoutfit. She started playing on her electric guitar, and the Sim-friendsthat came by booed their fool heads off. A few hours later, she was rippingamazing riffs on her tiny instrument, and the Sim-buddies were now dancingaround the living room. It was amazing.
The wealth of new outfits foryour sims, and objects to buy them, is just fantastic. Pets. Giant lights.Interesting, pretty doodads. The gorgeous new 60s windows and wallpaper,plus the gothic candelabras, arrow-slit windows, and even a robot make thisan incredible enhancement.
They've got fun jobs available, too. Want tobe a Shooting Star in musical fame and glory? How about a slacker (thinkgolf caddy) or hacker, or psychic or more? They're all there, each withtheir own outfits and career ladders. But wait, it even gets better.
Youcan have MULTIPLE NEIGHBORHOODS. Now, since a given Sim family often needs15 or more friends to get to the higher levels, the original game waspretty much one-person-only. You couldn't have multiple people use yourcomputer, because there were a limited number of house lots to go around.The houses were simply needed for the Sim-Pals to live in (in groups of 8of course). With the new system, each person who wants to play can havetheir very own neighborhood, where they grow and live to their heart'scontent.
Sure, there are still a few bugs. Probably the most glaring oneis the annoying lack of pathfinding ability. My psychic lost her job whenshe'd already gotten to Medium status because she was trapped in thebathroom. The maid and an unruly guest blocked both entrances, and I didn'tblast a hole in the wall fast enough. In another scenario, a guest cameinto my kitchen, faced the fall, and refused to move. She in fact fellasleep against the wall. Once again, I had to make a hole in my house forher to escape.
Pathfinding aside, though, the game is enormouslyaddictive and I haven't been to bed before 3am since it has entered thehouse. The person to whom I gave it as a gift is experiencing the exactsame problem. Sure, you can argue, is a high-school-band-teacher *really* astep up from being a lounge singer? By the time you're a Rock Star, with ahuge pool and a bar in your back yard, you don't really care. It's justamazingly fun.

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This software is BRAND NEW. Packaging may differ slightly from the stock photo above. Please click on our logo above to see over 15,000 titles in stock.

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Sims 2 Review

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(More customer reviews)To make it short and sweet, for those of us who don't meet the requirments for the computer version of The Sims, this version (which is also on PS2) is the best one for consoles. I've played all three of the console Sim games and this (or Bustin' Out!) is my favorite. It's really solid, the worst part is not being able to have a kid. Other than that, all the regular stuff is still there (along with some neat things like learning/cooking recipes). However, the computer version is better because there is so much more. Hope you found this helpful.

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Product Description:
The Sims 2 lets you create, customize, and control different neighborhoods as you delve into the mysteries of Strangetown and strive to uncover its secrets. Mind your Sim?s Sanity Meter to save them from a nervous breakdown and connect with other players to trade secrets and play head-to-head mini-games.

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The Sims Triple Expansion Collection Vol 1 Review

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(More customer reviews)This is a great set - 3 expansion packs. All of them add additional enjoyment in playing the game. But be sure to read the installation instructions BEFORE installing, because they have to be installed in acertain order. I added the expansion packs on to the Sims Deluxe. I installed them in the wrong order, so I had to uninstall everything (including the Sims Deluxe) and then reinstall them all.The only CD that needs to be placed into the ROM after installation is the SUPERSTAR CD - everything can be played from it.If you put in any other CD it will tell you that you have inserted the wrong disc.

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Product Description:

This value-priced pack combines three great expansions for the classic Sims universe: The Sims Unleashed, Superstar, and House Party. These expansions require the original Sims to be played.What's been missing in your Sims' family life? Pets of course! For the first time ever, The Sims Unleashed will give your Sims the chance to add a furry friend to the family. Visit the pet store to pick a dog or cat for your Sims. Then run their pet lives and fulfill their pet needs as you increase the fun and social life of the whole Sim household. Housebreak your pets; train them to do tricks; play with them; buy them toys, treats, and accessories; and do your best to keep them from destroying the whole house! Your Sims will have plenty to do while taking care of their pets. An expanded neighborhood with 30 additional residential lots and five community lots featuring parks, cafés, and a vegetable market will give your Sims and their pets a variety of places to meet their neighbors.In The Sims: Superstar expansion pack for The Sims, players can realize their fantasies of fame and fortune as they pursue the dream of being a rock star, a movie star, or a supermodel and live the lifestyle of a celebrity. All new gameplay, new social interactions, and a whole new in-game destination offer players an all-access pass to the world of superstardom.For the first time ever, players can follow their Sims to work and witness their pursuit of fame and fortune firsthand. Fledgling Sims start by signing with an agent and shuttling to Studio Town, a new and fully customizable destination that offers television and movie lots, spa locations, recording studios, and fabulous fashion facilities. Once there, Sims can schmooze, network, and name-drop their way to stardom in the movies, music, or fashion. Will your Sim be a flash in the pan or a living legend? Players can now track the sizzle of their Sims with an all-new fame score.The Sims: House Party Expansion Pack is all about, well, parties. Everything in it is designed to make parties more fun for both you and your Sims! There will be lots of new things to do, including many different new group activities. There are more than 100 new objects and characters, five new music styles, five new dance styles to match the new music, and three new themes--cowboy, luau, and rave.

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