The Sims 2, for PC

My love for The Sims 1 was what brought me to buy the newest addition, The Sims 2. I already had my copy pre bought before it even hit the shelves. I knew if I didn't get my copy early I'd most likely be waiting a month after it came out, to get it at all.
Low and behold though, I had my copy. Day 1.

Installation was a bit timely for the new game; about 7 to 10 minutes, but it wasn't that terrible, seeing how Maxis added a little memory matching game for you to play while waiting for the installation process. Depending on your PC system, times vary.

I noticed immediately the hours that I would be putting into this new game, and the lifelike graphics, and facial expressions the Sims now have were extremely neat compared to the original game.

I created my family, which was incredible, because your options are not limited. I mean if you wanted to get all technical and spend about a half an hour making a character look like yourself, you could - which I did.
My characters look just as human as I allow them to, or as distorted as I wish.

Next was moving my new family into a home. Only uh oh! No money, no money. I want a mansion. Not some shack.

Naturally I use the Simolean cheats to start building my mansion; which now I can make 4 story's high, as were in The Sims 1, you were only allowed to have a 2 story home. How about a pool inside as well. Yeah!

Something is new about my family though that I wasn't used to at all. They get fat. My Sim wouldn't stop stuffing her face, and I had to fill the fridge a lot. Shes quite disgusting too. Burps, farts, waves it around and then laughs to herself.

Whats this!? She ages too. I'm a little sad by this though, I know eventually the girl I created will soon die. In about 15 days to be precise.

So I literately have 15 days to get this girl a career, so I can buy things in the career rewards section. Another new feature of the Sims 2.

I really want the candy making machine, so I choose to put her in a cooking career path.

She is very lazy though, she barely leaves the couch, and no matter how many times I direct her to take a shower or clean up, the more she fusses. That's what I get for giving her zero points in active.

She was also assigned the romance aspiration. So this could be why shes not focused on her career, and wants to do woohoo with jut about anyone who comes onto the lot. This task however is not easy.

She already wants to have woohoo with 5 different Sims. So my Sim is a fat lazy.. ehh hemmm... you know what I mean.

She doest play her cards right though. My Sim has woohoo with Rob Sim. Rob Sim has fallen in love with her. After they make woohoo he decides to stay on my lot for almost 3 days. Gez! However the male maid has also fallen in love with her, they have woohoo when Rob is still on the lot. VERY BAD! Rob goes crazy. The two men end up fighting and eventually Rob leaves.
Only not for long, because for almost everyday after he is in her front yard knocking her garbage can over, which creates roaches if it's not cleaned up in a timely manner.(Cleaning up roaches can also make your Sim sick) It can be quite annoying having to clean up every day, risking disease. My Sim has become quite the player, by day 10. Shes already woohoo'ed it up with about 10 guys. Shes up to one per day. But her mood meter is sky high. She loves her seducing ways. The perfume that you can buy from the gypsy woman also helps greatly, when it comes to wooing another Sim.
My Sim however has one day left for the age transition. Shes about to become old. Sigh*, soon after I know it will be time to say goodbye. I wonder if she feels bad about not ever having any children. She doesn't seem upset by it. But I am a little bit. I feel bad for an object that isn't even really alive. Ive went and got all attached to my Sim as if she were real. I wanted her to accomplish more before she got old. But now theres nothing I can do but wait for her death. Which came 12 days later. Sigh*

Other features in the game which I haven't experienced myself are as follows.
Men can now get pregnant. Hehe. Yes men. If you have a male Sim look into the telescope there is a random chance that he is abducted by aliens and has himself an alien baby 3 days later. It will be born as an alien. It will look human but have green skin.

New career paths, and career rewards. Ex. Golf putter, boot camp training maze, candy machine, chemistry lab, and more.

Twins!!!! That's pretty self explanatory; Ive yet to have a set of twins, but I'm waiting for one of my Sim moms to finally bless me with twins.

Teens. Your child will age to a teen, and there are a lot of fun things to do with them. Like sneaking out, first kiss. Cute things that teens go through. Zits too. hehe.

There are also several new ways of death early. Like cloud watching, theres a random chance that a satellite hits your Sim and kills him. If your home is too dirty there is a chance of a huge swarm of flies that will kill your Sim, and there's a random chance that your Sim is attacked by them, resulting in death.

There is also the community lot which any Sims fan is familiar with. These are lots throughout your land where your Sim can shop, and or meet new Sims.

Also there is a new delivery system. Sims can still get pizza, but now Chinese food as well. Also you have to order groceries. Your fridge runs out of food now. Ahh! No problem though, your delivery man will be there in almost a minutes time. So you don't need to worry about starving to death.

Oh and also your Sim can be scared to death by another Sim that may of died on the lot. The color of the ghost on the lot will show how that Sim died. Red, means the Sim died in a fire, blue drowned in water. Green sickness.. etc. A very angry ghost is usually the ones that have died of starvation. If the ghost sees your fridge is empty he may throw things, scream a lot, and even scare a living Sim to death. SO WATCH OUT! Hehe!

You will have so much fun with this game, any age you may be.
There are also expansion packs available for The Sims 2 in which will add even more hours of entertainment. There is so much to do.

I recommend this to any Sims fan and non Sim fan. Seriously once you start playing you honestly cannot stop. Addicting!

Game Review: The Sims 2 Family Fun Stuff

The word 'stuff' in simland terms basically means, 'junk'.
For around $20, you too can have some junk; err I mean, stuff. Family fun stuff.

Now don't be fooled by the pretty promising box, this is not an expansion pack to the Sims 2. It is in fact just as the box says. Stuff.
I was not, and have not, been impressed with any of the Sims stuff add ons, since the Sims 2 came out. Just thought I'd mention that.

The installation was very fast, so that was a plus. In my opinion though, a fast installation means that your not getting a whole lot. My intuition was right.

I compiled a list of the few things you will be getting if you happen to purchase this add on. But first, lets get into the main aspect of what to expect out of Family Fun Stuff.

1. Expect new decoration themes for children. One being an under the sea theme set, in blue colors, used mostly for boys rooms, and a pink princess theme for girls rooms.

-The 2 new themes include 2 new toy boxes, all that have the same toys in them as the original default toy box.

- A few tacky wallpapers for the children's room. Sea wallpaper, and princess wallpaper.

- A princess and a sea themes wardrobe cabinet

- A sea themed and princess chair.

- 2 new lamps. One a bizarre crystal ball type of light, and the other a jellyfish light.

- A princess themed bed, and a sea themed bed.
Grand total: about 10 new furniture objects.

-This is probably the best set your getting for your money. 2 new themes, both; in my opinion are very tacky, and don't look good in the game.

But wait, you'll be getting some new clothing too. Let us clap our hands together for 4 new outfits. This was a major disappointment. All 4 of the outfits are very ugly, and in my opinion useless.

Who would want their Sims walking around with a rubber tube attached to their stomachs for the whole game, and a snorkel on their face? Not me. (only available for children)

2 pairs of pajamas, again only for children. They are too big looking on the kids, they make them look fat and stupid. Not only that, but the slippers are bear feet, with claws. They also look just as ridiculous as the baggy over sized pajamas.
The last outfit is a Tinkerbell fairy type of costume for little girls. It is pathetic looking. Why anyone would choose for their Sim child to walk around in this outfit is beyond me. Maxis also had to go the extra mile, and make the costume even more ridiculous looking by adding wings, and a wand.

You will also get about 5 or 6 new paintings and wall decorations, a few new tacky colored rugs, and a sculpture or two. None that stand out in my mind, even worthy enough to write of.

With The Sims 2 Family Fun stuff you don't really get much else. There are no new Sim actions like one would expect. There are no new outdoor decorations, no new plants, no new objects in build mode. Zilch, zero, nada! Maxis should have named this one, The Sims 2 Princess And The Sea Stuff. That's all you're really getting anyways. 99% of the new objects are only for children.

When I first bought the CD I was expecting to see some new varieties of food, a closet filled with new clothing, maybe some cute plants, and outdoor items. A kite would of been nice for the kids.

I know Maxis hears Sims fans wants, but they seem to only be releasing repeats of the Sims 1, and cruddy over priced add ons. I'm still waiting for my rated-r add on request to come to life. Sigh.

This was the first release of the Sims 2 Stuff. There are 2 more Sims 2 Stuff Cd's. The Sims 2 Holiday Stuff, and Sims 2 Glamour Life Stuff. All of them can be bought at the official Sims site. www.maxis.com or www.thesims2.com from $15 to $20. I know you can even download Family Fun Stuff add ons right from the site for a fee. This makes things a lot easier than trying to track down the newest add ons at local game stores, or walmart.

TO SUM IT UP

Overall, in my opinion, it's Maxis' way of making a few million more dollars, by selling Sims fans a few useless tacky objects.

Game Review: Sims 2 Glamour Life Stuff Pack

Come on Maxis, you can do better than this!

So you’re a Sims fan, otherwise you wouldn’t of come here to begin with. Let me guess you’re here looking for the goods, the greats, and the must haves for your Sim family, or families. You’re not going to find it though with The Sims Glamour Life Stuff. The second stuffs pack that maxis has to offer is like being promised all of the riches of glitz, and glam. However one will be disappointed to learn that all that glitters is not gold.

So you’re excited, 60 new objects for your Sims to indulge in, but if you really think about it 60 isn’t very much, nor does it go very far if none of the 60 objects are quality objects.

I know, I know, you’re getting upset, you thought your Sims were going to have perhaps a new meal like caviar or maybe some kind of fancy teas, instead of just coffee of espresso, maybe you even expected to see some jewelry or new accessories for your Sims fashions. I’d hate to be the bearer of bad news. But well, someone has to do it.

Don’t pout though; you will be getting a gigantic fluffy mink coat, in black, gray or brown. However it’s so big and fluffy that when one of your Sims is wearing it they seem to get lost in it.
It’s extremely unbecoming, and your Sims will never take it off unless directed to do so. What’s the point of a coat if the Sims never take it off to hang it up? It’s just bulky and ridiculous looking; I don’t know why Maxis couldn’t just give us a few new fashionable shirts, or maybe some new jeans?

So you want your Sim to look fabulous at the next big event. Say it’s a wedding, or a small gathering. Fear not, Maxis has included 4 new cocktail dresses. 2 of the dresses are over the top. They resemble a prom dress gone wrong. The other 2 are just basic dresses, which resemble spring dresses to me, nothing glamorous what so ever.

You want your guy to look spiffy at the next event he may attend. Maxis has added in some new suits for the fashion conscious male Sims. I believe there a 4 of them to be exact. 2 of which are so ugly that I don’t know who would want their Sim walking around in it. They remind me of something that Flava Flav would wear. So unless you’re making a Flav Sim the suits will look ridiculous on anyone else.
The other 2 aren’t really suits; it’s a vest with long sleeved sweaters underneath, with a nice new pair of jeans. They actually look okay, but you only get 2 colors.

They remind me of something that Flava Flav would wear. So unless you’re making a Flav Sim the suits will look ridiculous on anyone else.

You’ll also be glad to know that your Sims wardrobe will also consist of new pajamas. Like the mink coat though, they look way to big and baggy on the women adult Sims which gives off the appearance of the Sim swimming in them. The new guy pajamas look way too girly for my liking. I mean what guy wears a silk 2-piece matching pajama suit to bed?
There are no new swimsuits. Sorry. There are no new hairstyles. Sorry. There is no new lipstick. Sorry. There’s also no new eyeliners, or new blush colors. Sorry sorry.

Now moving on, there are some new objects for the home. However there are no new objects for outside. Which is a big bummer for Sim fans who are sick and tired of looking at a pool that the Sims barely use, or the Jacuzzi that they over use.

There are some new statues. They’re all so ugly and stupid looking that honestly they are just a big ol’ waste of space anyways. Plus every statue that I have placed that came with Glamour Life Stuff my Sims make a Blech noise. They don’t even approve of this junk.

Your Sims will also be getting some new carpets and wallpaper. I actually like the collection that comes with the game. At least they aren’t tacky, or hideous colors. However, you’re not getting many, so don’t get too excited.

So there are 60 new items, I know I’ve mentioned this already. But tell me as a Sim fan, aren’t you just sick and tired of Maxis making 20 of those 60 new objects paintings!? I mean come on! I play my game with the walls down; so all paintings just disappear anyways. I think it’s really a big sad disappointment to learn that 20 of the so-called new objects are wasted on paintings.

Your Sim family is probably sick and tired of looking at that same bathroom mirror, am I right? So finally you’ll be happy to know your getting a new one. Only is a little lop sided and abstract. Not to mention it won’t go with your bathroom unless you totally remodel and make the bathroom a brown color to match your new ugly crooked little mirror.

I bet your Sims are sick of those boring old lamps too. The Sims Glamour Life Stuff comes with some new lights. One is for outside. It’s a big weird lamp with glass cylinders around it. It sort of resembles a traffic light, but its gray. Your Sims will also be getting a brand new modern hanging lamp. It looks like a cube that lights up, its extremely ugly and doesn’t match anything in the set. There are 2 other lamps just as ugly as the next. Maxis managed to somehow turn modern type furniture into an almost space like ugly over the top modern look. It’s hideous, and takes away from that wholesome real life feel. I mean gez, what does one have to do for a simple little thing like a toaster that pops up some toast!?

You can also expect to see some new items in build mode. There are about 5 of them or so. Some new stretched out windows in retro sultry colors. They don’t cast that color into the room though. There’s also another window that looks like some sort of space shape. Bubbles attached to more bubbles. The purpose? None really, it doesn’t match any other decor, so its sort of retarded looking. You will also be getting a new staircase in build mode. Not the already made stair case though, the build it yourself one. Its glass, it looks okay if your making a glass house, other than that it doesn’t match anything.

I know your saying what I was saying, - hey when the heck is Maxis going to give us the spiral staircase we’ve been asking for in the forums for years!?

There is also a new couch; wait there is a new couch set actually, the couch, love seat and chair. They also look like big long rectangles with no shape or definition. Not to mention that the armrests are metal. Like I said, Maxis went more space themed with this than they did glamorous.

You're also going to be getting a new rectangle shaped stereo. I do wish Maxis would update the songs too, and also the fact that when you buy a new stereo the Sims just turn it on constantly. It's annoying!

Moving on:

For the bedroom your Sims can now enjoy a new bed. It looks like a box with a mattress. It’s not this fancy four post marble bed us Sim fans have been dying to see. Nor is there any canopy beds yet either! Man! You’ll be getting your cubicle bed, enjoy!

It comes as a set though; you’ll also get your perfect square end table, and perfect square dresser. Yay, it’s like a bunch of boxes in the bedroom, just different sizes! Let’s clap for the creativity behind this one.

I swear Maxis has to consider hiring some Sim object designers. Perhaps that genius that makes Sims worth playing. The web/sim designer at www.xmsims.com could take The Sims to the next level. I have no clue why Maxis continues to hire people who throw together a bunch of cruddy objects for the game and then allow it to be sold for $20 worldwide.

Also as a Sim fan one would be expecting a renovation in the bathroom department! I mean it’s where are Sims spend most of their time. How about a new shower Maxis? Or a nice step stair tub?! Seriously folks you can find better things to download at www.thesimsresource.com or www.modthesims2.com

I’ve been completely disappointed with Maxis lately, and the Sims Glamour Life Stuff just totally plops the cherry on top of an already bland cake.

Fans of the Sims are expecting way more than this. So far all Maxis has been doing with the Sims is letting it die by repeating garbage we had already seen from The Sims 1. Not only are they copying expansion packs with newer graphics, but they’re also angering a lot of fans by releasing garbage like this every season for $20 thinking it’s okay. Stuff like this should be available to download off of the site for free.

It’s been a pretty pathetic year for Maxis. Not only was The Sims Pets a total repeat of the first, but all of the “Stuff” packs have been nothing more than total rip-offs. I’m hoping for at least an, I’m sorry incentive out of Maxis with its newest release sometime at the end of this month. (The Sims Seasons) Hopefully they can redeem themselves with this expansion pack. Otherwise they’re going to lose one heck of a fan.

PC Game Review: Sims 2 Seasons Expansion Pack

Maxis has finally decided to release a concept that has been begged for from Sims fans since the birth of the Sims 1. Weather! Took you long enough fellas! Gez.

The Sims 2 Seasons is the newest Sims 2 expansion pack. It’s not like those crummy rip-off add on packs.

In the Sims 2 Seasons your Sims will have a bunch of new things to do. However like most of the expansion packs, the so-called ‘new’ gets old really fast, seeing how they don’t give you that much.

So my Sims now have 4 seasons. Summer, winter, fall and spring, all in that order too. However your Sims only get approximately 4 days to enjoy the new weather changes.

That sort of sucks, and if you want to change the weather you have to buy this big huge satellite and place it on your lawn to change the weather. The thing is gigantic, and ridiculous looking.

Before I rip this expansion pack to shreds let me explain the seasons, and the new activities your Sims can now enjoy.

1. SUMMER-

This is the game play you are used to. The Sims 2 always seemed to be set in summer mode. You could swim in the pool when you wanted, wear what you wanted, without risking getting the flu because it is cold outside. Summer in the Sims 2 Seasons is the same. However now if you dress your Sims in long sleeved shirts or sweaters they can risk overheating. My Sims however only seem to overheat in the summer time when they work out on an exercise machine. Other than that my Sims can walk around with sweaters on without any problems. If your Sim happens to over heat you can simply give him or her a shower, or you can blend yourself up a once cup of cold lemonade.

How do you make Lemonade?

This is also a new feature. Gardening. You Sims now have the ability to make greenhouses, and grow fruit trees. The fruit trees grow the fruit, and the new juicer juices your fruits into beverages.

Keeping up with your garden takes up a lot of time; so seriously don’t bother making a garden with more than 4 tiles. Your garden will always be unhealthy. No matter how much time my Sims spend tending to the garden, it never seems happy. However it will still grow fruits and vegetables.

What angers me is Maxis lack of instructions on how to go about getting more vegetable varieties. As of now I only can grow tomatoes in my garden. I figured if I joined the garden club, I would be given some new seeds for different veggies. No such luck. Maxis does not explain this to you, and they don’t even let you know if you can grow more than just tomatoes. Your fruit trees are limited to oranges, lemons, and apples.

Like I said if you happen to plan on having a family, or running a business, forget about gardening.

In the summer time your Sims can also now enjoy a few new summer dresses, a slide for the pool, a new rounded pool tile so you can get a round edged pool, and a new pool game to play while they are in the pool. Marco polo. It’s cute to watch them play it once, but always having to direct them to play it is annoying. I wish they could just do it on their own. It’s bad enough having to direct them in the pool, now you have to direct them how to swim, and play. Pretty annoying. You will also be given some summer patio furniture, and a new BBQ grill. No lawn mower yet! Dang it!

What else have we got?

There are fireflies that you will see flying around at night. Your Sims, if directed can catch them in a jar and put them in the house. They also give off a cool glowing light when they are placed inside of the house. However they die pretty fast. So it’s useless in thinking you can keep them as a new form of light.

THERE IS MORE:
Your Sims also now have the option to go fishing. You can only fish in ponds that you have placed on the lot. The ponds also have to be deep enough to support fish. You simply click on the pond and you are asked, what type of bait. I find this odd seeing how the only option they give you is a worm. If anyone knows how to buy different types of bait, please comment me. I think it is stupid to ask which bait you want to fish with, when only one type is available; but whatever.
So far I have only been successful in catching bass fish and boots. I don’t think there is anything else in the ponds. Bass and boots.

Oh yeah and now your Sims have the option to play catch, and throw water balloons at each other. Another little action that gets old quick, not only that, but the Sims will do this on their own all too much.

2. WINTER-

It snows. Surprise! It’s pretty easy to figure out when the snow will start. Your Sims will automatically get a new action with a snowflake on it. They get this action before it starts snowing, so it is odd. All of a sudden the snow falls. It also looks like it is falling inside of your house, which I find annoying. However snow will not fill your home, it will just look like its coming down in your living room. It’s also obvious because your computer will slow down when the snow starts. Once it starts though it will run normally again.

As soon as there is enough snow on the ground your Sims can go outside and play in it. They can have snowball fights, make snow angels, or build snowmen. Not only that but they can also freeze. Plus if one of your children happens to freeze they will get taken away. So watch your Sim kids temperature thermometers and make sure they are in the green and not the blue.

If you happen to have your thermometer fall into the blue, you can go inside and brew yourself a cup of hot chocolate.

-A strange event happened to me after building a snowman and not completing it. I had a rather large and fat penguin come up to the snowman and pee next to it, the thing then walked through my house and left. I guess this is the ‘surprise’ guest for this expansion pack.

I know the Sims Pets had Hilary Duff however she never visited me. Blah! Most of the time to get the guest celebrity to visit you, you had to pull off an extreme event. The penguin came out of nowhere.

-Your Sims will also get the flu a lot during this winter season. I wish Maxis would add in some medicine for my Sims. They lay in bed the entire season because they are too sick to go outside and enjoy the snow.

3. FALL-

My Sims didn’t even know it was fall. See if you don’t place any trees in your lot, you won’t even notice that this season is occurring. Without trees they can’t die. Your fruit trees will grow dormant, so they don’t produce leaves. You need to place the older trees on the lot for any of them to land on your lawn.

Once you have trees, and leaves you can now start raking the leaves up, and playing in them. You can also use the dead leaves to add to your compost bin, which you use as fertilizer for your garden.

There are also a few fall themes objects, but nothing special. Maxis still fails to give fans a friggin light up pumpkin for cryin’ out loud. Maxis could have really gone the extra mile with the fall season. Yet sort of left it alone. Just like spring.

4. SPRING-

Like fall, Maxis failed to add really anything here. It rains a little more and maybe you will get one lightning storm if you are lucky during the 4-day season. You are not given a raincoat though to go outside, which stinks, and an umbrella would have really been awesome. Nope, instead they sit out in the rain looking like a bunch of idiots.

Your Sims will not really interact or do the new actions available unless you direct them to do so.

I WANT A NEW JOB

The Sims 2 Seasons also comes with 6 new career paths, which I find to be neat. With all 6 new jobs your Sims can also unlock the career rewards. This is where we have an issue; some of the career rewards are identical to what old rewards only they look a little different. I was very disappointed in the new reward objects that were added. None of them are any good, and one career only gives you a stupid statue. It does nothing special at all, just sits there and takes up mass amounts of space.

WHAT DO THE NEW CLOTHES LOOK LIKE?

Baggy and stupid, just like all of Maxis’ clothing add-ons. All of the winter clothing is too big looking on the Sims. They have a few options, about 9. Before you know it everyone in town is sporting the same winter outfit, which is annoying. The website www.thesims2.com will tell you they now can sport hats and gloves and scarves. Hooey! If you want to have your Sims wear a hat you have to choose it while you create your Sim. So all year round he will sport a winter hat. Pretty lame. You really have to download clothing online to get a wide assortment. My favorite site has always been www.modthesims2.com

OBJECTS, GOT ANYTHING NEW?

Yes, however there are not many. You actually get more new objects with the add-ons. There are a few new lamps that are just hideous looking. They are too big, and look terrible on any nightstand. There are a few new statues, all of which are too big to place anywhere reasonable looking. There are no new items for children though, which is disappointing. I’m so sick of the same teddy bear, and toy box. How about a new swing set? That would be sweet, or a sand box? Maybe the next expansion pack will focus on the kids. Who knows?

YOU STINK!

What else stinks- when your Sims do an activity leaves, flowers, sun, or snow will now sprinkle around their heads and dance in a circular motion as they gain personality points. Maxis fails to let people know what this means in the game. The new graphic is there, but no one knows why? I am assuming that if you have your Sims spend time cooking in the summer, perhaps he is learning to do cooking more in the summer time than any other time. That is just a guess though? I’m stumped.

I was expecting a lot more for $30. Again Maxis fails to deliver. The idea was wonderful, and the initial idea actually came from Sims fans. However as soon as Maxis got hold of the idea it turned into a gigantic mess. The game focuses more on the summer time and wintertime. Fall and spring got totally left in the dirt.

Boo!!! Maxis Boo!!!!


SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS:

Taken from the box:

· Windows 98, Me, 2000, XP, Vista
· 1.3 GHz or faster processor
· 256 MB of RAM (512 MB RAM is recommended for Windows Vista or if you are running with a multiple expansion packs installed)
· 8X or faster CD/DVD-ROM drive
· Minimum of 1.5 GB of free hard drive space
· DirectX 9.0c compatible Video Card with 32MB or more memory required (64MB for Windows Vista)

I’d recommend saving your money on this one. It’s a waste. Not only that buy the guide. There is way too many things that go unanswered with this expansion pack. You won't even know how to use, or do most of the things available without it. What a rip-off! Can't even give buyers a small instruction manual?! Shame on you Maxis!

The Sims 2: Celebration Stuff Pack

Holiday, Celebrate!

Okay Maxis, you claim that The Sims 2: Celebration Stuff will grant me access into throwing the most elegant swanky par-tay! Whether that party is a wedding party, birthday party, or outdoor party I will have all the tools and décor to be the most popular Sim party house on the block.

Hmm, I’m doubtful Maxis, I really am! You really lost my trust this winter with the holiday pack. Hmph!

So what’s in this new pack? Why do I keep buying them? I have burned by this company before on stuff packs, yet keep on keeping on, and buying them all.
Is it because I enjoy being ripped off? Maybe. Or maybe it’s just that I’m expecting something, that even though I know won’t be there, might be. So as a Sims fan, I can’t miss out. Yeah, that’s why.

Anyways I installed the game quite simply. Stick the disc in my computer wait for the installation screen, type in the key code that can be found inside of the box on the back of the manual. Wait about 4 or 5 minutes and tada, I’m ready to roll.

I was excited to perhaps see some new things. I figured that Maxis may have listened to fans this time around, and realized that they have really been jacking us with their crummy stuff packs.

Now keep in mind, ‘stuff’ packs offer nothing new to the Sims 2 game play. It’s just stuff, hence the name.

What did I find in The Sims 2: Celebration Stuff?

Clothes-

Um, where?

Oh yeah right there. Yay for me! I got 2 new dresses. They’re more like gowns though. Ugly ones, they actually look more like a clothing mesh missing the pattern? What gives!?

What about the fellas?
Yep they get some new clothes too, New suits with a little carnation flower on it.

But but but… they look the same! The mesh used to create these new suits are the same meshes used to create all of the other suits from ‘Glamour Life Stuff’ only these suits have a flower!? Hmph!

Furniture-

Oh-wee, would you look at that, some new party furniture! A lawn table, lawn chairs, some new plants, some ridiculous looking balloon arches, hmmm what else?

Oh, a round table with some matching chairs. That’s kind of nice. Okay, I like that at least.

What else!?

Man it’s hard to find! There’s so little to work with here. Oh there it is a new bar. Awe an umbrella! Gez, I have been waiting for one of these, oh wait, I already downloaded that on a fan site. Sigh.
This umbrella is ugly though. It looks cheap, and my Sims prefer the most luxurious things.

What else have I found?

More balloons, same as the balloons that came with the original game, only re-colored and some new helium balloons. Yay, they still pop and make a mess. Eh hemm, “MAID”.

I also got a rug that looks like shredded newspaper too. It is meant to be a wedding walkway runner. Looks like shredded doggie newspaper to me though. Oh well.

Hmm what’s that bulky thing with a pig drawn on the outside? A new grill for outside of course with same function as any other grill, just more bulky and box shaped.

Wall Decorations:

A pointless addition to the stuffs pack. Or any pack for that matter.
Like I have said so many times before, it is virtually impossible to play the Sims with the walls up. Therefore wall decorations are useless seeing how they disappear when you have the walls down. They only count towards ‘environment points’

Wall decorations that come with this new stuff packs include wedding theme garland, birthday theme garland, and some lantern lights.

Lights-

You can now add some tea lights to tables and counter tops. They’re so ridiculously small however don’t expect there to be a romantic glow added to the room you have placed them. They give off barely any light, and they’re practically invisible. You have to do a really close zoom in to see them in all their glory.

There are also some new hanging party lights. They can be compared to those round tracing paper party balls people hang from ceilings. They’re round like globes, and I must say are a nice addition.

Paintings-

You can find a few new paintings hanging around in the paintings category. Nothing really sticks out in my mind as being fabulous; as a matter of fact this is always the last category I check for new items.

Cakes-

There are a few new cakes in the party category. One cake in particular is designed for a wedding. It’s a tiered cake, only without the tiers. The thing looks plastic. All of the new cakes look plastic for that matter.
Now that I think of it, almost all of the new items look like shiny plastic.

Carpeting-

None of the carpets that come with the celebration pack are pleasing to the eye. They’re all very tacky, but do stick with the ‘celebration’ theme. All of them look like confetti was thrown on them. I personally don’t like them, seeing how I don’t intend on making my entire home a full-blown party theme house.

I was hoping to see some new bushes and trees with this pack. I’m so sick of using the same rose bushes on my lawns. Grrr!

WHAT’S GOOD?

Anyways, I could go on and on about what will disappoint you in The Sims 2: Celebration Stuff. I figured it will be easier to mention what you ‘will like’ in the new pack.

You will enjoy some new decoration for the home. There are some floral arrangements that are really nice, and will blend well with everything else you may already have in your home; all of them have many color choices as well.

There are also a few new lights, which you may enjoy; the lack of different lighting was a bummer in the game so I was glad to see some new additions in the lighting category.

There is also a table and new matching chair which I mentioned earlier that is very nice looking. It will look nice either inside or on an outside deck or patio.

This pack also comes with some new ground covers. You can make your lawn look as if it has little flowers growing in the grass. Some of flower colors you can expect to see are pink, white, orange and more.

I know, not much to work with. But if you’re a Sims fan, you too will find yourself purchasing this addition, and feeling ripped off when you see how little it has to offer.

It wouldn’t be so bad if Maxis perhaps would be a little more realistic with their pricing. $20 is far too much money for what is being given to the purchaser; now $10 would be more reasonable, and less Sims fans would find themselves feeling angry and ripped off for buying it.

Now I’m going to share some awesome information here for all you Sim 2 fans out there. Sick of Sim 2 pay sites charging you $20 a month for access to their downloads? Visit http://paysites.mustbedestroyed.org/ Whether or not you believe in file sharing (I prefer to keep my personal feelings about this site to myself) or not is up to you, I’m just passing along the info. Enjoy.

*Rated Teen* Like all Sim 2 games and their expansions. The Sims will do the dirty dirty (no visuals of course), so you may want to avoid giving this and any Sim game to children.


System Requirements, taken from the box:
-OS: Windows Vista, XP, Me, 2000, or 98
-Installed: The Sims 2 for Windows
-CPU: 1.0 GHz or faster
-RAM: 256 MB or more
-Disc Drive: 8x or faster CD/DVD drive
-Hard Drive: At least 350 MB of free space
-Sound: DirectX 9.0 compatible
-Video: DirectX 9.0 compatible Video card must have 32 MB or more memory and one of these T&L capable chipsets:
ATI Radeon 8500 or greater; NVIDIA GeForce2 GTS or greater.