by D A Lavizzo

Created on: December 25, 2006   Last Updated: April 12, 2007

The Sims is, quite literally, the most successful PC video game franchise of all time. Between the Sims 1 and 2, and their various expansions, the franchise has sold over 20 million copies. For comparison, it's nearest competitor, StarCraft, has shifted a paltry 9.5 million units. (For further comparison, the best selling game of all time is Super Mario Brothers, topping out at a meager 40.23 million copies worldwide).

So what is it that makes the Sims so rediculously popular? Is it the sharp, killer graphics? The innovative gameplay style? The flashy ad campaigns? Use of a highly recognizable main character? Well, no. What makes the Sims so wildly popular is one thing that other game companies seem to have forgotten - the game is flat-out fun.

In an era dominated by Bigger, Better, Faster thinking, where giant corporations are constantly vying to release the next Half-Life 2 or Unreal, the Sims and the Sims 2 slipped in nearly under the radar, and almost immediately skyrocketed into the record books. Hundreds, perhaps thousands, of online communities cropped up with players displaying their Sim families, creating online videos of their day to day routines, and writing blogs from the perspective of their characters.

The latest expansion in the franchise - Pets - may seem reminiscent of the original pet based expansion for the original Sims, and in many ways it is. It adds much the same content, only this time it does it in full 3D. However, being a Sims veteran since the original Sims, I just can't justify spending full expansion price on what Pets adds to the Sims 2 experience. With such a robust game already out of the box, every expansion simply feels like an attempt by Maxis to artificially prolong the spending experience.

Further, with so many resources online for downloading user-created content, this expansion feels like one I can wait for a price drop or a repackage. I just don't feel like I'm getting enough content to justify paying full price for this.

Having said that, the expansion itself does add some fun content for those that love their pets. Pets can now get jobs, learn multiple commands and behaviors, and pass their traits down to their offspring. Teaching pets commands and getting them promoted at work also unlocks content for your pets such as new skins, furs, and items. Fun - for those that love their pets. For others, it's just one more thing to worry about in an already hectic game.

Some of the additions, also, seem like after thoughts. While the gerbil cage is great to have in your home, the amount of food and care the animal needs is nothing short of micromanagement. The payoff? Next to nothing - you can't let the gerbil out and play with out, you can't gain any skills or stats from it, and if it dies your Sims will definately take a hit on their wants/needs. The birds, also, need a bit of work. After performing any task with your avian friend, you have to manually close the birds cage or it will fly around the house with a small chance of simply flying away. Another excersize in useless micro management.

All in all, fanatics of the Sims 2 will love Pets. Those that just want the basics, however, should pass on this one until it drops in price a few times.

Execution: 6 of 10. Delaying this or adding more features could have helped with the price to enjoyment factor.

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