The sims are back....^_^
The creators stayed with the focusing gameplay as in the original sims, but now sims have wants and fears, and aspiration levels. Wants and fears are just like our wants and fears, except it can affect them in different ways. A want can be as simple as buying a new sink to wanting a promotion or a engagement. A fear could be to not lose a skill point or as major as to not lose a loved one by fate of death.
The aspirations have to do with these wants and fears, and for their mood ratings. if you fulfill a want for your sim, then the aspiration meter goes up higher and their mood gets better. If you complete a fear, their mood drops as well as their aspiration level. If the aspiration level reaches the bottom then they will become crazed and have to have a visit from the Sim Shrink. There is rewards for aspiration points depending on how many points you receive, so it isn't just for nothing.
The graphics are outstanding. They look extremely realistic and your sims need the same care as you or I do.
They don't live forever either...so keep their moods high, don't get them electrocuted, and don't starve them.. or they will become ghosts and scare your other sims to death...unless that is what you want then go right ahead.
Enjoy this centuries Sims, and look for the many other expansions coming out for The Sims 2 this year.