The Sims 2 | DJcube

A new way to play with life.

NA release: 24th October 2005
EU release: 4th November 2005
JP release: N/A
Developer: Maxis
Publisher: Electronic Arts
NGC Magazine Score: 68%
Mods Used: None

Like The Sims and Bustin’ Out, the console version of The Sims 2 is very different to the PC version, being its own game using some of the ideas of the main game. The big thing is that, instead of fulfilling basic needs, Sims have wants and fears that can affect their mood. This essentially gives you objectives to follow, which is utilised in the story mode.

The story mode doesn’t seem as story-focused as the previous console games, as there’s no overarching plot, just a really basic premise in area. For your main character the goal is mostly just career advancements and a few random missions, while you’ll also have to complete goals for one or two other people before you can get to the next location, such as getting them together with a particular person. The new locations are interesting, but there’s no substance to it.

While proposing in the previous game was extremely difficult, it’s super easy here – I got married within the first few minutes of playing. What makes this strange is that this game doesn’t have children, so there’s nothing beyond getting married. Without children, it feels like a big chunk of the game is missing, as the series is so focused on families.

One significant change for the console version is direct control. While the option to direct sims with a cursor is still there, you can also move them around freely with the analogues stick. Some aspects, like cooking, also gives you more freedom to decide what meals you make (and how you prep them) when you control your sims in this way. But it also makes it more of a pain to control a bunch of sims – which you need to deal with in the story mode. It’s definitely a nice way to play, though.

Fun

Sometimes, a la Nintendogs, The sims 2 tricks you into treating mathematically-controlled polygon models as living things. We were genuinely a bit miffed when our new bride reacted to our first kiss as a married couple by immediately running off for a dumb. Wearing her wedding dress, mark you. But, for the most part, this is a game too bogged down in the clumsy minutiae of bine-emptying, mail-opening and floor-mopping tedium to keep you happy enough with the illusion for long.
Mark Green, NGC Magazine #113

Remake or remaster?

The console versions could do with a re-release.

Official Ways to get the game

There’s no official way to buy The Sims 2 (console version.