An excellent game, single-player and multiplayer, and recommendable to new and old Sims fans alike.
Now it's been a few years. We've witnessed the release of The Sims 2 for PC, which once again, redefined gaming. The graphics, while they required a high-tech computer to see them in all their glory, and still do, were completely amazing. The Sims 2 spawned its line of expansion packs, and now, the PS2 game.
The Sims 2 for PS2 has been criticized for not being fun. I believe the complete opposite. The gameplay of The Sims 2 is quite amazing, featuring a new way to control your Sims called "direct controlling". Instead of moving around a marker like you did in the original PS2 Sims game, you can control every movement of your Sim with the analog sticks. Interaction with other Sims is simple, with just a simple press of the X button. However, if you don't like this feature (which is highly unlikely), you can always switch back to the normal "marker-moving" way. During the game, you basically make a person (called a Sim), and live out their life. You can adjust the features of your Sim, like clothes, facial structure, body structure, personality, etc.
There are 2 gameplay modes. Story mode, which puts you in pre-built homes (16 altogether), and as you progress by fulfilling your Sims' wants and needs, you will be able to open different locations. In Freeplay mode, you can make a family (no kids, unfortunately) and move into a house, that you can build yourself. You can build your house in any which shape or size you want, keeping in mind that you have a patch of property that you must build on. After you've built your basic house, you can choose to put wallpapers, floors, doors, windows, and objects for your Sims to use all over your house.
Also, multiplayer, while not online (unfortunately) is put in quite well. If you have another player, and another controller, you can have your friend make a Sim and join your story or freeplay game.
Graphics on the PS2 version, while not up to the PC's standards, are quite good. The PS2 can handle only so much, and you will see this, as the game sometimes lags when you speed up time. Graphics are just plain smooth, and definitely not an eyesore to look at. You will have nothing really to complain about here, except maybe for the lag.
Sound is probably where The Sims 2 really makes a fall. For example, if you are communicating with another Sim, sometimes you will notice that their voices are not in sync with the mouths, or sounds not in sync with the Sims' actions. However, this is about the only disappointment. The Sims 2 has radios and music players that you can buy that feature about 8 different music stations, including industrial, alternative rock, and nu metal. My favorites.
As for value, well, for the 24.99 I paid for it (or the $19.99 you Americans will), I would have to agree that I definitely got my money's worth. It's also worth it for anyone who has an EyeToy, as they can import their face into the game for use on their Sims, and play bonus EyeToy games.
Finally, to end this review, I give The Sims 2 for PS2 a well-deserved 9/10 and I recommend anyone, Sims fan or not, to give this game a try. It's not as bad as you may think.