System: PC
Dev: Maxis
Pub: EA
Release: Feb.27, 2007
Players: 1
ESRB Rating: Teen
Review by Maria Montoro

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Review Rating Legend
1.0 - 1.9 = Avoid
2.0 - 2.4 = Poor
2.5 - 2.9 = Average
3.0 - 3.4 = Fair
3.5 - 3.9 = Good
4.0 - 4.4 = Great
4.5 - 4.9 = Must Buy
5.0 = The Best

Music-wise, you'll be glad to know that there are two new music genres added to the game: New Age and Jambands. You'll be able to enjoy these on any of your in-game music players. A few popular songs have been adapted to the Sims language: Lily Allen's hit single "Smile," "Mr. High And Mighty" by Government Mule, "Blue Jeans Pizza" by moe., "Zoom" by Tata Young, "N" by The Breadbox Band, "The Next One" by The Chris McCarty Band, "Close Your Eyes" by The String Cheese Incident, and "When It All Falls Apart" by The Veronicas. It's a solid library for the always-growing music aspect of The Sims 2. The sound effects are just incredible. When I started playing the game, it was winter and it had snowed all over my neighborhood. The sound was so unbelievably realistic that I instantly felt cold and got the chills. As I played more, I experienced other types of weather that felt just as real. The lightning storm topped it all off with amazing thunder effects and crackly sounds.

The new additions made the game that much better; in fact, the weather aspect of it was meant to be part of the original The Sims 2 but it never made it because they didn't have it quite right just yet. However, the wait was worth it, and they really did a good job. I like the new approach to nature, the new activities, the little improvements, and the continuation of the "simmified" music library that started with The Sims 2: Open for Business expansion pack, launched one year ago.

New expansions will continue to be added to the series. If you like to have them all, don't think it twice, of course. If you have a more limited budget and are trying to decide if this one is worth your money, I'd say it all depends on your taste; Do you like pets? Would you enjoy the entrepreneurial side of The Sims? Or do you prefer to add the wonders of nature to your Sims' experience? Think about it and decide. This was a good choice for me even though it wasn't a massive expansion, but I'm glad expansions are a bit cheaper than buying a whole new game!

By Maria Montoro
CCC Co-Site Director

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