PC Game Review: The Sims 2 Seasons

The latest, eco-themed expansion pack of the Sims 2 incorporates weather into several Sim elements. The great part is that players can set the seasons in order and customize the frequency. Like summer all the time? Great! Test it out by utilizing the neighborhood screen or the weather machine reward. Keep in mind special seasonal benefits (e.g. romance for spring, family ties for winter) take effect in each season, so sticking with one season may not help you advance your Sim wants/goals.

Neighborhood scenarios start near the beginning of fall – a time for development (see Sims 2 University expansion pack) and skill building plus leaf raking. Next, build a winter snowman and have snowball fights as you transition to the spring growing season then enjoy staple summer activities like marco polo, catching fireflies and pool slides.

New pool shapes and split-level housing enhance the overall design experience. No new environment to explore here, but the weather variety easily fills the void. The hot/cold parallels have advantages (build a rink for ice skating in winter and roller skating in the summer – see Sims 2 Open for Business expansion pack) or disadvantages (getting sunburns and/or sicknesses). The disadvantages are minimized with common sense clothing choices, though some players will be irresistibly tempted to test the limits and see what happens.

In the premier spring season, players can use their compost bin, fruit trees, greenhouse (unfortunately, the walls can’t cut away) and, of course, garden to expand Sim horizons. After getting a really green thumb, Sims can even talk to their plants. The variety and surprise elements in fishing elements create yet another fun dimension. Players can also enjoy the new low maintenance Plant Sims. Players can get even more green in new ways with six appealing new careers – adventurer, education, gamer (yes – the dream job), journalism, law and music – while earning new reward objects by fulfilling Sims wants/goals.

Now, on to the healthy food you worked so hard…well, mildly hard to create! Don’t want to eat those fruits and veggies? Then juice them for some amazing health/developmental bonuses. The most practical new element in Sims 2 Seasons is the ability to keep leftovers in the refrigerator instead of throwing them away or throwing a party to consume the plentiful, healthy food.

Create great memories while enjoying the varying weather that greatly changes game play in the Sims 2. Even regular situations become exciting and interesting during special weather situations. The game captures prideful producing very well (reminiscent of my favorite Harvest Moon game series) as well as creating great new activities for your memories books. Highly recommended. The Sims 2, The Sims 2 DVD Edition, or The Sims 2 Holiday Edition required to play this solid expansion pack, the fifth in the Sims 2 series.

The Sims 2 Seasons is rated T (Teen) by the ESRB for crude humor, sexual themes and violence. This game can also be found on: Mac.