The Sims 2

The Sims 2, commonly referred to as TS2, is the sequel to The Sims. Released in September 2004, it heralded sweeping changes from the original: most notably, the isometric view of the original had given way to full 3D. Also, Sims now have life stages (Baby, Toddler, Child, Teen, Adult and Elder) which had them age from birth to death, and their genetics would be passed on to their children.

Sims' personalities are also given an overhaul with each sim having an Aspiration, and Wants and Fears.

The Sims 2 shipped with 3 premade neighborhoods. Pleasantview is in effect a continuation of the original Sims storyline some 25 years later. The new neighborhoods are Strangetown, a desert landscape with supposed paranormal occurrences, and Veronaville, which is based on several plays by William Shakespeare.

Living In Sims 2
The neighborhood screen is actually a save slot in which you can access your saved family. There are different kinds of lot for your Sims to visit:


 * Residential lot: Sims can only live in this kind of lot.
 * Community lot: Sims can run a business in this lot if they have purchased it, or they can visit the store an buy things from it.
 * Dormitory: Introduced in University, young adults who are attending university will need to live there.
 * Fraternity house, Greek house and secret society: Young adults who are invited can stay in those lots.

Sims
The main aim of the game is to lead a Sim from the start of life to death. A Sim will be born when a female Sim woohoo's with a male Sim. The mother will spend 3 days pregnant before giving birth to a baby. Players can name the new Sim. The baby will change into a toddler in 3 days, and 3 more days for the toddler to change into a child. After 8 days the child morphs into a teenager, and will have the option to go to a university to spend as young adult for 24 days, or spend 15 days and then change into an adult. After 30 days the Sim will become an elder and will die, the final age depending on the aspiration bar when they age.
 * Main article: Sims

Players will need to build up Talent Badges, skills and relationship with other people, so that he can be successful in their career. A player will also need to make sure a Sim is happy and well by fulfilling wants (including lifetime wants, avoiding fears, and fulfilling motives.

There are 3 kind of Sims in the game:

 Household Members: Sims directly controlled by the user. More can be added by:
 * Creating one in the Create-A-Sim screen.
 * Adopting or giving birth to a Sim.
 * Marrying or invite another Sim to move in.

Townies: Also referred to as NPCs.
 * Townies: These kind of Sims will visit your home, be your customers. Your Sims can always marry them.
 * Service Sims: These are the Sims who show up when you call a service (Maid, Repairman, etc.)

 Unplayable Characters: These Sims have special functions and can never be controlled by the user without hacks or cheats. 
 * Special function (Grim Reaper, Sim Shrink, etc)

Expansion pack
So far seven expansion packs (EPs) have been released:


 * University
 * Nightlife
 * Open For Business
 * Pets
 * Seasons
 * Bon Voyage
 * FreeTime

The eighth expansion pack, Apartment Life, will be released in August 2008.

Stuff pack
There are so far eight stuff packs released:
 * Holiday Party Pack
 * Family Fun Stuff
 * Glamour Life Stuff
 * Celebration Stuff
 * H&M Fashion Stuff
 * Teen Style Stuff
 * Kitchen & Bath Interior Design Stuff
 * IKEA Home Stuff

P.S. Users may not install some of the stuff pack, if don't have the required expansion pack installed.