Developed by: Maxis | Published By: Electronic Arts | Played: 9/24/04

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Many new original features are added in this iteration. You can raise a person from cradle to grave, they take five different forms during this period, you get days off during the work week, you can chat with people on the internet, and much more.

One cool new attribute is the aspirations goals. The aspriation goals listed on screen at all times gives the player an objective to achieve for the selected sim for the day. It is a cool new way to set objectives for the player to achieve.

This game has a dramatic advancement in 3D techology from the last one. It is very cutting edge and enhances the game experience immensely.

The AI for your sims is much improved since the last game. They do a much better job of figuring out what the best thing is for them to do next.

Replenishing your sims' needs is much easier this time, especially the social need. This leaves more time to do things that are more fun. You can replenish the social need this time just by talking to somebody over the phone, and you do not have to invite them over. It makes managing needs a less tedious thing to do.

Overall, this game just generally does a better job of simulating people and their behaviors than the last one by far. The Sims 2 is one step closer to being the perfect people simulator.

A much larger plethora of new options is now available for creating each sim, and the neighborhoods in which they live.

This list of meaningful lifetime events is another cool new feature. You can look back and see what has happened throughout the lifetime and reminice.

The memory and quiz games during the installs are a could way to keep the player entertained while they take a half hour to install the game.

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The idea of this game is that you can escape into a world and life which you create. It is a god game, where the player has all control over the shape the world takes, as well as the events that happen inside of it. For some this is enjoyable, but there are others, like me, who like to be told a story and watch it unfold, it is not so nice. I want the designer to entertain me with interesting plots and characters (while keeping it interactive and fun at the same time). This game gives the player tools with which to entertain themselves, rather than giving the player a pre-defined world to experience. I like the second one better.

Very slow loading times.

Although this game is supposed to be a people simulator, some things that people do are much less interesting than others. For example, going to the bathroom, showering, going to work, and sleeping is not as interesting as going on a date, having a party, and doing other fun relationship stuff.