The Sims 2: University

I was addicted to the Sims 2 game and this has added a lot to it, and I am even more addicted!

There are more clothes and decorative objects such as musical instruments and funky furniture which are always good. There is also the opportunity for bars and restaurants on Community Lots. Sims can now also buy mp3 playes and cell phones.

The main premise of the game is that teen Sims can go and live in College Town (and become a new generation - Young Adults). The town has various community facilities (bars, gym, library) as well as dorm rooms, shared houses and fraternity and sorority houses. The game comes with NPC (Non Player Characters) young adult sims for a friendship base, and you can move in your own Sims or existing teen NPC into the game. Individual Sims can move into dorms, without being invited, which is handy. There are eleven courses to choose from and graduates gain exclusive access to four new career paths such as Paranormal (where you can bring Sims back from the dead) and Showbusiness.

College Sims are busy and as well as meeting basic needs and skills they must go to class and complete course work to pass each Semester (their grade decides their scholarship allowance for the next term). They must also socialise with people if they want to have influence over other Sims. This new influence meter crosses throughout the game, beyong College Town, and popular Sims can make other Sims clean or garden for them, or get them to talk/flirt/entertain etc other Sims on that lot. Other new interactions include pranks and new 'play' interactions and the opportunity for teens/Young adults to just 'hang out'. College Sim can also 'Woo Hoo', but not try for a baby.

An interesting addition to the game is a lifetime aspiration. This may be reaching the top level of a certain career, seeing six children married off or Woo Hoo with 25 different Sims. Some of these look more attainable than others and success means a lifetime of platinum scores in your aspiration meter i.e. a happy Sim!