We
can expect plenty of spin off from The Sims 2, and
if The Sims 2 University is any indication, our expectations
may be exceeded.
The
Sims 2 offers a great foundation for the next generation
of sim-based gameplay with richer environments, deeper
relationships and interaction not to mention plenty
of outrageous behavior. You can only imagine the kind
of outrageous behavior that will be exhibited by college
kids when The Sims goes to University.
The
Sims 2 University encompasses the experience of teenagers
moving away from home to attend a facility of higher
learning where they will be forged into adults. While
your character will learn new skills and mature you
certainly don't have to act like an adult. The focus
of this expansion pack is on the essence of the university
experience. You personally don't have to read Chaucer
and pass an exam in order to stay alive in the game.
In fact staying alive in a Sims game has never been
easier. If you hate having to see your pampered character
die before your eyes, take note, characters don't
age when they're in university.
Although
university a four-year process you could possibly
complete it within a month if you do the right thing.
But you'll miss out on most of the fun. As in any
Sims game it's not so much about reaching the goal
as it is the journey to get there. Sure you could
focus on your scholastics and become an honors student
but then you'd be missing out on the romance, food,
fights and beer that help round out the college experience.
It's
the subtleties in this version that matter. There
is a big picture but it's more narrowly defined, almost
confined. If you're a Sims fan you might have to get
used to this concept. Whereas something like education
might be glossed over in other Sims game, The Sims
2 University holds a magnifying glass to this concept.
Some may think that it makes a big deal out of nothing
but to those that want a little bit more depth and
realism in a Sims game, this is a step in that direction.
The challenges are of a more intimate nature.
There
are some micromanagement elements to take to task.
You have to lead your character around by the hand
and educate him or her in the ways of the world -not
just in education. You can learn specific skills and
build your character's trait over time. Keep in mind
that if you purposely stay in school longer, you won't
age and you will have a well-developed character on
your hands. You will have to pass some classes and
fail others to stay in school. It's a bit of strategy
that you can put to good use to explore many of the
features offered to you in school.
Most
characters will have to stay at a dorm. It's loaded
with NPCs that you can interact with. You will have
to share bathroom, showers and food. Here you'll make
friends, enemies and hopefully score with members
of the opposite sex at wild parties. You won't have
a lot of money to do things with at first so you'll
have to find some ways to have fun on the cheap. But
there are some things that even money can't buy and
that includes additions to the dorm. All you can do
is outfit it with a few accessories.
Influence
is a type of currency. The longer you've been around
and the more friends you've acquired, the more influence
you will have. This influence is very powerful and
effective. You can get people to do things for you
such as your homework while you focus on other activities
like having fun playing guitar in a band. Life without
influence can be a bitch.
When
you have enough money from various means such as a
part-time job, scholarships and grants, you can move
out into a house, a fraternity or a sorority. You'll
have to be accepted before you can join a frat or
sorority and this can go either way. Someone may not
like you, making gaining acceptance a real trial.
Once you're in you and your brother or sisterhood
can pool financial resources together to turn your
living quarters into a mansion. You can also build
on to your house if you prefer to live in private.
The
graphics kick butt. There are all kinds of interesting
animations going on. The characters have real personalities
which were probably inspired by actual college kids.
If you've been to college you're sure to recognize
a lot of these guys.
The
music is good. You can even play with a band and do
some improvising. The characters still utter that
vague communication known as Simspeak which automatically
eliminates any bad voiceacting. The degree of communication
is deeper than early Sims games and assumes a more
dynamic role in the gameplay.
With
time limits, money management, courses to pass and
goals to achieve this game really puts the pressure
on in certain situations. Of course there's plenty
of chances to blow off steam with the stereotypical
college parties and pranks. You can take control of
a few characters if you really want a challenge. You'll
always be busy and it can be a lot of fun if you don't
take it too seriously - just like your real life which
you waste playing computer games.
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