Quick Review: "The Sims 2 Open for Business"

I haven't played "The Sims 2 Open for Business" (compare prices) long enough to give you a full review, so I thought I'd let you know what I thought of the game so far. Just as I had hoped, the road to building a successful business is not an easy one. The interface to managing the business is where the problem is. Everything you need is not easily accessible. You'll have to use the phone, open sign, and the new business panel. You don't destroy the business in the time it takes to figure where things out.

Screenshot Credit: © Electronic Arts.

The options for the type of businesses you could create are left to your imagination and the game's limitations, of course. Before getting too far into the business, you need to make sure your Sim(s) have a good skills foundation. They'll need to the skills to earn talent badges for different business skills, such as restocking or sales. You're going to have to have lots of money too. I've spent many days of working the sales room to end up negative for the day. Paying for employees is not cheap.

Sending your whole family to work at the business is a better option. I sent the Smith family of Strangetown to their newly owned toy store, to find that despite how much Johnny Smith wishes he could make a sale, he usually does more harm than good. With the right planning though, you could have divide up the work (sales, register duty, restocking, crafting) and make sure each has skills in the right areas. The Smith family is minimal skills, they'll be studying a lot before we head back to the store.

There are two features added when dealing with lots. The first is the ability to rename a lot after a name has been chosen, perhaps many Sim days ago. The other is a panel that tells you the lot's value while you are on that lot. Two seemingly small additions that make a world of differences, especially to home builders or those who move lots around the neighborhood often.

Overall, I'm still iffy on the expansion. I haven't played it long, so there is plenty of time to change my mind. Owning a business is a lot of work, so the majority of my Sims won't. The small additions may add up enough to make it worth it even if you don't create a lot of businesses. Stay tuned, as I will be updating with a full review soon.