Ah, the life of a student (The Sims 2: University Add-On (PC))

Member Name: Popalee

Product:	The Sims 2: University Add-On (PC)
Date:	04/11/05 (460 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: adds to the game, new objects, fun

Disadvantages: not much longevity

***The Background***
For anyone who isn't aware (have you been living under a rock?) The Sims is the bestselling simulation game series from Maxis, a subsidiary (is that the right word) of Electronic Arts Games. Other titles include Sim City and Sim Rollercoaster, but the original Sims game was, apparently, the biggest selling game of all time, for outperforming their other simulation games., and spawning a multitude of expansion packs (inlcuding Livin' it up, Makin' Magic and Hot Date to name a few)

***System Requirements***
Alright, let's get the techy stuff out of the way first. A word to the wise: do check your system capabilities match the requirements of a game before purchasing it- it's pretty frustrating to have a game you desperately want to play in your hot little hands and nothing to play it on! That said, the requirements for The Sims 2: Univeristy are the same as for the basic Sims 2 game, i.e. :

- Operating System: Windows 98/2000/ME/XP
- Processor: 800 MHz (Intel Pentium 3)
- Memory: 256 mb ram
- Hard Drive: 3.5 gb
- CD-DVD: 8 speed
- Video Card: 32 mb T&L
- Sound Card: Direct X 9.0 compatible
- DirectX: Version 9 (included)
- Input: Keyboard, Mouse
Obvioulsy some of that is pretty self explanatory but I wanted to be thorough :-) Please remember that the above are the MINIMUM requirements. You may find if your system only just meets these that the game can be a little (frustratingly) slow

***Playability***
I played The Sims for hours and hours and hours, back when I was a university student, and was thrilled when they released the Sims 2 late last year (I'm assuming if you're reading this you have or at least know about sims 2 so I'm not going to discuss that here), so you can imagine my excitement when the first expansion pack meant I'd get to relive my sims playing university days while playing the sims!

Initially I found University a bit slow, especially because my computer was running really badly, and it just didn't seem to add anything to the game. However, once my computer was upgraded I decided to give it another go and enjoyed it a lot more. More now on the different things University adds to the Sims 2 experience, and then I'll tell you my overall impressions.

***What's new***
A whole new life stage: your sims now become young adults after being teens, but only if they go to university. Those who skip university have to go straight on to the responsibilities of adulthood. No keg parties and Greek houses for them.

Influence: as well as earning aspiration points sims can now earn influence points, which can then be used to convince other sims to perform certain things, for example, writing assignments, cleaning, various interactions with other sims, etc.

Parties: sims can now have toga parties, sports parties and graduation parties as well as those included in the original sims 2. None of these is really any different, except that if you have a toga party all your guests turn up in togas. There are a few cool objects that enhance them though, like the juice barrel and the bubble blower (which is a four seater and has your sims levitating while they blow bubbles)

New Career Streams: University adds four new career streams to the game: Paranormal; Show Business; Artist and Natural Scientist. Of course, these are only available to those Sims who complete university, preferably taking a releveant major.

Objects: I'm not going to go into all of these (I think it's fun to discover them yourself) but the coolest ones are the two mentioned above, and the extra musical instruments, which apparently will allow your Sims to jam together.

***Does it add to the Sims 2?***
Yes and no. A lot of reviews I've read descibe University as a game within a game. I wouldn't go that far. it's still basically the same as The Sims 2. It is a bit faster and more difficult, in that you have to fit studying in, as well as socialising, fulfilling wants etc. This makes it a bit more difficult than the basic game. At first, I tried to control 8 sims in one house- this turned out to be way too many, I just couldn't do it. I cut down to four and that was easier, although one still ended up on academic probation (a knowledge Sim, at that! lol)

It's been a few months now since I first got this expansion pack, and, to be honest, I haven't played it for ages. But it was fun while it lasted!

Summary: If you LOVE the Sims you'll love University