"The Sims" & "The Sims 2" Games

By Courtney Marchelletta, About.com Guide to Computer Sim Games

"The Sims" comes with no set goals on how to wing. Your only job is control the lives of Sims. You decide who they marry (if they marry at all), their employment, friends, what they wear, and how they live. It's a virtual dollhouse and you have control over everything.

1. "The Sims 2"
2. "The Sims 2 University" Expansion
3. "The Sims 2 Nightlife" Expansion
4. "The Sims 2 Open for Business" Expansion
5. "The Sims 2 Pets" Expansion

6. "The Sims 2 Seasons" Expansion
7. "The Sims 2 Bon Voyage" Expansion
8. "The Sims Life Stories"
9. "The Sims Pet Stories"

"The Sims 2"

The virtual dollhouse of "The Sims" goes to new levels in the sequel. The Sims' world has transformed into a 3D world. The essence of the game hasn't changed. You still control the lives (jobs, friends, love) of the families. Sims will age and babies are born through pregnancy not through the magic appearance of a crib like that in "The Sims." From pregnancy to death, the Sims are yours to watch over.

• "The Sims 2" Review
• "The Sims 2" Screenshots
• "The Sims 2" Downloads
• "The Sims 2" Strategy Tips

• "The Sims 2" Videos
• "The Sims 2" FAQs
• Which Expansion Pack Should I Buy?

"The Sims 2 University" Expansion

"The Sims 2 University" sends Sims off to college as Young Adults who must study hard to earn in a degree in one of 11 majors. "The Sims 2 University" focuses on the Young Adults with new interactions and gameplay that true to the age group.

• "The Sims 2 University" Review
• "The Sims 2 University" Screenshots
• "The Sims 2 University" Patch
• "The Sims 2 University" Strategy Tips

"The Sims 2 Nightlife" Expansion

It's all about love and going out to clubs to meet new Sims. Sims will spend the night dancing and dining downtown in "The Sims 2 Nightlife." The biggest additions include drivable cars, restaurants, and new romantic interactions.

• "The Sims 2 Nightlife" Review
• "The Sims 2 Nightlife" Screenshots
• "The Sims 2 Nightlife" Patch
• "The Sims 2 Nightlife" Strategy Tips
• "The Sims 2 Nightlife" Videos

"The Sims 2 Open for Business" Expansion

"The Sims 2 Open for Business" is the third expansion. The focus will be ways for Sims to make money by owning their own business. Salons, toy stores, fast food joints, clothing stores, and restaurants are just a few of the businesses possible. For builders, "The Sims 2 Open for Business" adds split-levels, awnings, and new roofs.

• "The Sims 2 Open for Business" Review
• "The Sims 2 Open for Business" Screenshots
• "The Sims 2 Open for Business" Hacks

"The Sims 2 Pets" Expansion

"The Sims 2 Pets" adds dogs, cats, birds, and womrats to the Sims' world. The Create-a-Pet screen will allow modification of dogs and cats. The new items of "The Sims 2 Pets" focuses mainly on the pets and their needs, with some new decorations.

• "The Sims 2 Pets" Review
• "The Sims 2 Pets" Screenshots
• "The Sims 2 Pets" Downloads
• "The Sims 2 Pets" Strategy Tips
• "The Sims 2 Pets" Soundtrack

"The Sims 2 Seasons" Expansion

Sims will have the joy of dealing with the seasons and the weather that comes along with it! "The Sims 2 Seasons" adds snow, falling leaves, and sunburns, all of which creates new memories that will last a lifetime.

• "The Sims 2 Seasons" Review
• "The Sims 2 Seasons" Screenshots
• "The Sims 2 Seasons" Strategy Tips
• "The Sims 2 Seasons" Patch
• "The Sims 2 Seasons" Developer Video

"The Sims 2 Bon Voyage" Expansion

Get away from the daily routine and send your Sims on vacation! "The Sims 2 Bon Voyage" comes with 3 locations to explore. Your families go on vacation in luxury or venture into the wilderness by camping.

• "The Sims 2 Bon Voyage" Review
• "The Sims 2 Bon Voyage" Screenshots
• "The Sims 2 Bon Voyage" Tips

"The Sims Life Stories"

It's a completely new series of Sims! "The Sims Life Stories" was developed with gamer's who own laptops in mind. "The Sims Life Stories" will play in a windowed screen and allow other programs (like an instant messenger) to run in the background. "The Sims Life Stories" is a standalone version. Expansion packs for "The Sims" and "The Sims 2" will not work.

• "The Sims Life Stories" Review
• "The Sims Life Stories" Screenshots

"The Sims Pet Stories"

"The Sims Pet Stories" is the second in the line of "Stories" games (The first was "The Sims Life Stories). It's a standalone game that doesn't require nor use "The Sims 2" or the expansion packs. The guided play (or stories) and it's laptop friendly features are the highlights of "The Sims Pet Stories."

• "The Sims Pet Stories" Review
• "The Sims Pet Stories" Screenshots