Simple...But Fun!
User Rating: 8.1 | The Sims: Life Stories PC
So when I first heard about The Sims Life Stories I really didn't know what to expect. After playing it though for a little bit I realized it's actually pretty cool. Unlike The Sims 2, The Sims Life Stories is a whole new game that isn't based on the players "free will." It's based on a pre-set story that is already set up within the game. The game itself looks and feels like The Sims 2...but is just a lessor version. Think of The Sims 2 with no expansions and then take out a few things that The Sims 2 came with and you have Life Stories. It does however have at least 20 new objects and at least 70 new walls and floors to the game which are all very nice and much better than the original ones that came with The Sims 2. In the game you have a choice to play either two pre-set stories or to just play the classic mode (the original The Sims 2). The first story deals with Riley, a Sim who just moved to Four Corners (the new city) to start a new life. In her story you follow the goals the game sets for you to start her life. The goals include things like get a job, fall in love, meet new friends, etc. The more goals you complete the more objects you unlock. There are about 12 all new objects to the game that you can unlock using Riley and her story. Much like Riley the other Story is about Vince and his love life...or lack of. You follow the goals to try and find the love of his life. Also unlocking about 12 new objects on the way. Some cool new features are all of the new laptop commands. Like being able to see your laptops battery life from in the game, a window mode of the game makes it easy to do other things and play at the same time, and also many new keyboard commands that make the game easier to play. Like push "G" for example and your Sim will go and greet any Sims on the lot. Unlocking objects from the goals also sets an in game challenge, which can be quite fun. A few drawbacks of the game is that there is very little objects in the game and things to do outside the story mode. The main reason is to keep the game as simple as possible so it works on all types of laptops and computers. It also is hard to go to The Sims Life Stories after playing The Sims 2 and all of the expansions for so long because you loose almost every feature you've gained...though some things like turn ons, the influence system, and the neighborhood view are still included. All in all The Sims Life Stories may or may not be for you. For new comers of The Sims it's a great way to get the feel of The Sims without having all the things from The Sims 2 and it's expansions to worry about. For hard core Sim fans though it may be hard to go to the game and not play the way you always have. For the creative people out there the game may be more for you since you take an active role in the stories of the Sims lives. Also those who are fans of the console versions of The Sims, this game may be right up your alley since it plays very much the same as far as the Story Mode goes. Since this is the first game in a new product line though it's hard to not judge and compare to The Sims 2. It may be best for people to just try it out and see how they like it. If they like it then they can continue playing and get the Sims Pet Stories and Castaway Stories coming out at later dates. If it's not for you though you can always just go back to The Sims 2. Plus if your computer isn't that great this is a good game to have since it has small system requirements and isn't as huge as The Sims 2. So try it out and give it a chance. It may turn out to be your favorite new game! 
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