The Sims 2: Bon Voyage

Thursday, October 04, 2007

So in yet another instalment of my love for games this week, I thought I’d give Maxis their due, because they’re pretty awesome. When I was little, I remember playing an arcade machine, thinking, how great wouldn’t it be if there were a game we could play which didn’t involve killing and shooting things, instead just a simple day to day little life where you go to work and much about at home. So imagine my surprise when EA and Will Wright answered my life long little obsession. I remember when I first played The Sims. I installed it on my work computer and played it when I was suppose to be completing invoices Anyway, I was instantly hooked. And so it’s no surprise that I soon accumulated each and every copy of The Sims, followed by The Sims 2, as soon as they were released. Before I moved to London, I lived somewhere where it just wasn’t as easy to buy latest games, DVD’s or anything electronic (I know, my own hell on earth!) and so it wasn’t as easy to get my hands on the games, but I wiggled it about and managed to still be the first to have it in my small town. I actually had a large group of friends and fellow gamers gathered around me and my PC while I started up The Sims 2 for the first time. Much to my disappointment and that of the crowd, it bombed! Lol Ok, so after some manual reading (I never read those things) I discovered that I needed latest drivers, etc. That’s the only problem I have with The Sims 2 and EA, it’s slow loading but, I suppose I can understand, the graphics is pretty awesome and well worth it and also, the reason why my bank account is low and my PC is my first financial priority!

Up till now, EA has proven again and again that The Sims 2 is not only one of the most addictive games out there but also a really good quality one. I mean the amount of detail put into each expansion pack is pretty great. The latest, in the series of The Sims 2, which I should add has occupied hours and hours of my life – oh yeah, a total Sim Freak – is The Sims 2: Bon Voyage. Now, even though it’s the second one they repeated from the original Sims expansion packs, it’s ok, because the additional features that can be brought in, are unique thanks to the great technology used in the Sims 2 series. I must admit, I had my doubts at first. Of course, that didn’t stop me from almost camping outside HMV’s doors, waiting for it to be released, but in the original Sims, I think that the Vacation expansion pack was my least favourite. It wasn’t bad, just not that great. But I am totally in love with The Sims 2: Bon Voyage. My little alien Sim, Stella Torano (she’s my favourite… I especially like formatting so I can restart with her, weird I know :biggrin ) works her butt off so she can afford plenty of island, mountain and Far East adventures.

Ok so enough rambling, here’s the scoop. You have three types of vacations, island vacation, mountain vacation or go to the Far East. Each destination also has residential lots available, so you can actually buy a vacation home. Vacation home’s are pretty kewl, you can buy extra furniture and everything for it. Also, as far as townies go, each destination has their own ‘set’ of townies. And if you befriend them, you can throw parties at your vacation home. And the nice thing about these townies, once your holiday is over, you can invite them as house guests for three sim days. I thought that was a nice addition. A couple of new interactions, including dances and gestures. Also, along with the obvious décor objects available to buy for your home, there are one or two little surprise objects, such as a voodoo doll…. Don’t wana spoil it though, half the fun is in discovering it! I like staying at the hotels, a lot more organised than in the first Sims. Hotels are rated by how expensive they are, so you know which to choose if you’re on a budget. You can order room service. Room costs vary, depending on their size, single, double, family size. Something I thought was brilliant, is sunburn. Tan on the beach long enough and soon enough your Sim will be sporting a bright red burn In Stella Terano’s case, she turned a darker shade of green! Hey, even aliens need a tan.

New items include jewellery which I also thought was great. A few new outfits, new hats and lots of sunglasses to choose from. Oh and here’s a little tip, poke around the pirate ship at night a little. Your Sim can get a massage or use the sauna or hot springs. Woohoo available in the sauna. And if you’re the sentimental type, new take picture action available and this time, you can order your photo’s online when you get home and have it saved for your Sim in their very own photo album which they can later browse through.

Your Sim will receive a couple of perks after a holiday and there are vacation secrets they can uncover. It’s fun and addictive and I highly recommend that if you’re a Sim fan and still don’t have it, you should definitely consider The Sims 2: Bon Voyage. And while you’re at it, well, let’s just say that there’s no way my PC will hold out for another major expansion

Happy Shopping!