Werewolves and Womrats (The Sims 2: Pets Add-On (PC))

Member Name: Essexgirl2006

Product:	The Sims 2: Pets Add-On (PC)
Date:	03/09/07 (664 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Adds Pets to your Sims families

Disadvantages: If you don't want Pets doesn't do a lot for you.

This is the fourth expansion pack in the Sims 2 series following on from University, Nightlife and Open for Business. Lately EA and Maxis, the manufacturers and distributors have also produced 'Stuff Packs' with added clothing, furniture and furnishing accessories. The Sims 2 game is required to play. Before I continue, however, I am going to mention a little but about The Sims 2 for those who are not familiar with it. If you are familiar, feel free to skip the next paragraph.

The Sims 2 (and the original version) is a God-Sim or people management game. There are no levels to complete, you set your own target for the Sim or just try and meet their needs and aspirations and keep them happy. Sims have different personality aspirations such as wanting marriage and children, a promotion, more money or many lovers. It is up to you if you want your Sim (who is played as part of a family unit that you create either at the beginning or by getting them to marry and have children) to achieve their aspirations or whether you want to set your own goals for them. The game has much more to it than can be mentioned here, as this is not the right review, so I will move back onto the Pets expansion pack.

This pack is in a double sized DVD case and houses 2 discs. This is a bit unnecessary as you can get two discs in a regular sized case. There is also a small 14 page black and white booklet. With my version I also got a red leather and metal Sims 2 Pets key ring free. Whoopee doo.

It is recommended before installing the game that you back up your existing version of the game in case you wish to uninstall Pets for any reason. When installing it is recommended to install the game in a different place to the original Sims 2 game, as it would over-write it. The game requires 47mb of free space to be installed, and will take just under 15 minutes to complete. You then play the game using Disc One. Although my PC meets these specs it does run slow at times, especially on Community lots where there are lots of people and animals.

I expect the premise was based on the popular 'Unleashed' expansion pack for the original Sims games, so once again our Sims have pets. You can get a variety of cats and dogs and even develop your own breeds. Also you can purchase birds, fish and guinea pig like womrats. Don't forget to feed these pets and clean out their cages and tanks. Sims can also increase their 'fun' and 'social' needs by playing with the pets. You also don't want to keep your Womrat in the bedroom, he'll keep everyone awake. Cats and dogs can be created in the Create-A-Pet section when you create a new family (same as Create-A-Sim). You can choose breeds and coat colours and even customise their appearance and personality (like a 'human' Sim). Alternatively some pets can be bought over the phone through the Pet adoption agency, although breeds and colours are limited and personality traits already present. For caged animals you need to buy a cage (obviously) or tank and then just click on it to stock it. The cost of the animal is deducted from the Sim's bank balance.

Cats and dogs require training to develop skills such as not sleeping on the furniture and not peeing inside (unless you don't mind of course!). They can also get three different jobs in the Security, Showbiz and Service fields. There is limited scope with these career paths, a bit like those of teenagers or retired Sims. The pets will need to learn skills to progress through their careers, which their Sim owners will have to teach them, such as 'stay' or 'speak'. As well as training, pets need food bowls and a pet bed plus toys to meet their needs of 'chew' (dogs) and 'scratch' (cats) which are in addition to the usual needs of 'bladder', 'comfort', 'hunger' etc like the human Sims. We players cannot control any pets directly. We can view their needs and skills, but we cannot direct them to actions or cancel actions, commands have to come from the Sims (which we control anyway). Sims can also 'give love' (stroke or offer a treat) to their pets as well as 'teach' them tricks and skills and 'Take for Walk' (dogs only) and 'play', 'yell', 'praise', 'scold' amongst others. 'Praise' and 'Scold' are useful controls to train pets not to pee on the floor, roll in dirt or destroy the furniture (which will happen - cheaper furniture can get easily broken beyond repair by over enthusiastic dogs). If a pet is not cared for properly it can be taken away by an animal control officer, or they may run away if unhappy. There are also animal trainers for Pets with behavioural problems of a speedy solution to skills training.

The game is compatible with all previous expansion packs, but you can't have Cats and Dogs in 'University' neighbourhoods, only caged animals. There is the opportunity to unlock collars and accessories for cats and dogs as your relationship builds with them. Although I have gained these items, I have no idea where to find them in the game though. You can also purchase pet beds and other accessories for your pampered pet. One unique little quirk in this game is that Sims have the opportunity to become a werewolf, although as yet I have not made this happen. I believe they have to be bitten by a wolf or a large dog.
New furnishing items in the game include wine racks, clocks, phones and other electrical items, there is also new wall and floor coverings as well as new decorative items such as flowers, pictures and some towel rails (decorative only, they can't use them). There is also some fun and funky furniture such as new dining chairs and tables. As far as build mode is concerned there is more scope for diagonal or octagonal rooms in this pack.

Overall the game does add something to the Sims. You don't need to add pets to every household, it is just an additional challenge if you wish. If you don't have any pets you may have a few strays visiting but that is a minor nuisance. Of course if you are not bothered about your Sims having pets then you can give this pack a miss! Unlike Unleashed with the original game, which gave Sims the chance to grow their own vegetables and other items as well as the Pets, this version does not give us anything much new other than the animals.

I paid £14.99 (delivered) for my game from Play.com. The RRP is £19.99. Even though the game has been out about for a while now prices have not really changed. Ebay may have some good deals however.

Summary: Expansion pack for Sims 2