Not being familiar with the expansion packs, I can say that it is quite different from the original Sims especially in its Get a Life mode. In that, you go through certain stages, trying to fufill objectives to unlock new stuff for the Classic Sims mode.
They kept the basics, added the "Get a Life" mode, and with the exception of changing dayparts, it runs *smooth* right now.
No real polygonization here -- you get that shine that comes with the PS2's engine.
I know the GaL mode is like only seven/eight levels -- and I hope it's not a fast seven/eight levels, but it's still fun.
Does the PS2 version have any of the expansion packs included in some way, shape or form; or is it all original-issue Sims?
I would say there's a mixture of expansion packs mixed in there; I haven't seen pets enter the fold, but there's items not in the expansion pack (including a Teppan-Yaki table!). I also don't know if dating in other areas come into play, but the current level is throwing parties.
Controls are easy enough, btw. I think that, with enough time, they could do Sims Online for PS2 and it'd work.
"We had four couples, eight questions, a refrigerator and that's it." --Chuck Barris, talking about The Newlywed Game on LIVE! With Regis and Kelly
It basically is the Sims... say, V1.8. It's got some items that the PC doesn't have, and it does have the two-player games plus the GaL mode. However, there's no pets (other than the fish), no robot-maid, no genie, no outside-the-neighborhood dating (AFAIK) -- just inside. You can still throw "raging" parties, but I haven't seen Drew Carey show up yet to any of them.
Also, there's no catering in the GaL mode. I haven't played the Sandbox mode to see if there is the catering option.
GaL is *six* levels, and I'm up to "Who Loves Ya Baby?" after about 12-15 hours of play. It's still a hoot to play.
I rented the game, and found it just too awkward, the adaption from using a mouse and keyboard to a PS2 controller was too hard for my tastes. So even if you're a big Sims fan(which I am), the PS2 version might not be for you.
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Teppan, what does AFAIK stand for? I think I've figured out one of the words, anyway... LOL...
As for me and my Sims experiences. I've played all the way up to Level 8, but the Level 8 house pissed me off because unlike the Level 7 house, you start out with practically nothing. So you have to buy everything. Plus the house layout is just so damned awkward. I think I've only played half an hour of the house so far.
The Sims for PS2 has some interesting elements, but there simply isn't enough there. They don't even have all the wallpaper and flooring designs (nor objects) from the original Sims for PC, for crying out loud! That's an omission that should have been avoided at all costs, especially since the lack of a PS2 Online aspect meant that there was no way to download any new objects or wallpaper. That was one of the best things about the computer game, and it helped keep it fresh even as the game play became repetitive over time.
Other problems with the game include the inability to build two-story houses, or create a family with more than four people in it. (The latter's probably a good thing, because the awkward method of toggling back and forth between Sims would be downright thumb-breaking if there wasn't a four-person limit to the house).
Plus, I still don't understand why some companies insist on releasing PS2 games on CD-ROM, when the PS2 is capable of far more. It's a waste of a perfectly good disk you could use for a computer game, if you ask me. DVD-ROM is where this game should've gone-- it could have stored more information, added Hot Date, Vacation and Unleashed aspects to the game, and generally made the game far more enjoyable to play. But alas... what you see is what you get. There will never be a way, apparently, of ever building upon the game. The game you see before you is the game it will always be, and you can't buy an expansion pack for this one. Since there's no way to download new objects, you'll just have to keep playing with the same old stuff over and over. And since there are only minimal Hot Date aspects, the game won't randomly-generate new Townies characters for you to interact with.
I'm sorry, but I had much more fun with The Sims when Hot Date came out. While I like the game, and indeed devoted a few full days to playing it, EA had the opportunity to do so much more and chose not to. The game isn't worth the $50 it costs, especially since you can get the computer version plus all the expansion packs for probably $100 total.
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Originally posted by ekedolphinTeppan, what does AFAIK stand for.
As Far As I Know.
Originally posted by SmackfiendUmm... ANY USB Keyboard works with the PS2. Gamecube and Xbox on the otherhand...
Hmm...Ok. Fair enough. I guess I was just waiting around for a "Sponsored" one.
Still, Sims Online would work about as well on PS2 as it does on computer.
(edited by Excalibur05 on 23.2.03 0525) RAW Satire 2/17 Buffy 7.15 gets a 8 The Kennedy tweener turn happened out of nowhere, but whatever. Mostly good stuff though.
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