A Sims Revolution

There's no questioning the popularity of The Sims. It's the best selling PC game of all time and, through expansion packs and console versions like The Sims: Bustin' Out, it has kept up a relentless pace. Last year the true sequel arrived on PC, and now it's arrived for Xbox®.

What makes this franchise so appealing to the masses, and how does The Sims™ 2 eclipse its predecessor in presentation and design? Let's find out.

My money is on the chicken.

The Appeal
The Sims franchise's success was a rare accomplishment. It broke through the barriers that defined "gamers" and appealed to a massive untapped audience.

The Sims appeal was intuitive gameplay that anyone could understand. Living a virtual life with hundreds of mini-goals, incredibly varied social interactions, and self-created drama gave The Sims life. You lived vicariously through your digital counterpart as you struggled to juggle their happiness. You fed them, rested them, entertained them, cleaned them, and engaged in social activity—it was a micromanager's dream infused with a light-hearted charm.

Animations were perfect, the reactions of other Sims were true to life, the graphics were clean and vibrant, and like all simulation games, there was always something to do. The next challenge was just around the corner. Put simply, The Sims made people care about their characters and it gave them an opportunity for constant experimentation and self-filling goals.

Nothing like a hot tub social.

What's New?
For veterans of the original, there is the question of what's been upgraded, improved upon, added, or just plain changed.

• Direct control: You can now choose between that classic "point and click" control, or take more direct command of your Sim, moving them manually with the analog stick. This direct control comes more naturally to a console controller. It's a welcome alternative to the more PC-centric classic control scheme.
• Story mode: Story mode offers a very goal-oriented experience, so if you're interested in "beating" the game, the twelve chapter mission-based story mode will give you a more focused experience.
• Freeplay: This mode is closer to the classic game, allowing you to create your own story and goals all while trying to maintain a balanced and happy experience for your Sim.
• Personality and aspiration: The Sims 2 offers a bit more customization in deciding your character's outlook and personality. You can choose a general Aspiration (a sort of overarching goal) that helps determine your Sim's desires (romance or wealth, for instance), as well as personality by choosing your Zodiac sign. This helps gives a basic foundation for who your Sim is. They're less of a blank slate this time around.
• Visual overhaul: Of course, the graphics are much sharper and more detailed than ever. Every object teems with its own personality and every animation plays out very naturally, often to the point of hilarity. You'll recognize many subtle nuances behind the basic behavior of your Sim and the A.I.-controlled Sims around you.

Perfecting your fashion sense.

While that may offer a good glimpse of some of the more major alterations, there are dozens of little changes that add to the experience. From all the new true-to-life animations, to the dozens of different social options you can choose from, to a constant supply of secrets and odd items to find and treasure, The Sims 2 takes an old formula and gives it a whole new addictive spin.

Players of the original will feel right at home from the start, but they'll find a whole new world of opportunities to explore. This is a true sequel every sense of the word.

Article by Alex McLain