3.5/5 ★ – nicfontanelli's review of The Sims 2.

Playtime: 50+ Hours. • A recurring theme of what I love most about games that predate 2005 is by far and large, the tendency that they have to capture and hold the essence of my childhood inside of itself. Sometimes yes, this is simply nostalgia- but the Sims 2 is one of those games that does so tenfold. • The Sims 2 brings players the aesthetics and textures of the 2000s- striped t-shirts, Mohawks, fringes, argyle sweaters and pink fluffy jackets- it’s an explosion of American garage punk culture, and the ability to explore these themes with the design of outfits, floor plans and personalities is completely within the player’s control- a superpower exclusive to the Sims 2. Specifically speaking, the Sims 2 has plenty of strengths outside of its concept- I grew up playing the console version, which uniquely grants the player complete control of their created characters using their joystick and the interact button. It’s a trait that no other sims game has replicated since, and it’s the sole reason as to why this game stands out to me- in a game built on immersion and life simulation, it simply allows you to feel as though you’re inside of the universe you’ve created. You’re not some omnipotent God looming over your subjects- your conscience is within the walls of the home you built with your bare hands- it’s an extremely rewarding feeling, and it incentivises players to stay and watch the lives of those around them unfold- I don’t feel this way with any other Sims games. • It’s a tall order - but I’m not sure it is - but my biggest issue with the sims game is its outright refusal to prioritise simple and immersive features over the weird and wacky concepts. The Sims 2 grants players access to two Mohawks, dozens of patterned T-shirts, and a handful of those hilarious pairs of sunglasses that cover half of your face, and that’s great… but how- HOW can you include alien spacesuits in player wardrobes, but hardly any run-of-the-mill haircuts. Growing up, I never did anything wacky with my hair- I’d wake up, give it a flick, and off I went- so it was BEYOND frustrating growing up to see that the only styles available to players ranged from ridiculously short to ridiculously long- or you could wear a dumb looking hat. But then again… maybe that’s just me. • Despite that personal point of contention I have with Sims 2, a more literal issue with the game comes in the shape of its lack of dimensions and freedom. While it’s true that no other game was allowing players to customise two-storey homes and swimming pools, the lack of variation in home design takes its toll on the replayability factor, as it’s difficult to really get going with the Sims 2 with what feels like creative shackles around your ankles. Archivist’s Note: Mark Mothersbaugh, the chief composer and musical genius behind the iconic ‘Simglish’ music is at his brilliant best in this title. All these years later, and I still remember some of the music that would occasionally find its way on the gigantic living room stereo.