The game has introduced all new game-play features that change everything about how your sims function.  Aspirations are now as important as Needs, and many of them are dependent on interaction with the other sims.

With a broad nod to family relationships, the Sims 2 allows some basic family ties to be created along with your manually generated sims, and the relationships that occur during in-game sim creation - aka where little sims come from - will be automatic.

You can create an extended family the easy way - create grandparents, their adult children, and their children (maximum of 8 in one household), and wind up with the full gamut of cousins, aunts/uncles, grandparents, etc. You can also do it the hard way, starting with a sim, finding their lifemate and get down to having a multi-generational extended family as part of the game. Both ways are both challenging and fun for different reasons.

Features that were only available after many many add ons for the original Sims are available in the core game for The Sims2, and that's a welcome change.

Some of the drawbacks are that there are bugs in the game which the 'support' staff generally attribute to users using 3rd party mods - even when they haven't. Actual support is rather spotty in that aspect as a result, and few patches are available.  The generational aspect to the gameplay makes the standard support response to delete all your game files and start over seem a little harsh.

The game does tax older systems. Actually, it can tax newer ones as well, particularly in a household with a lot of objects, a lot of sims and a party goin on!  My suggestion for those scratching for disk space and wondering why the game brings their machines to their knees is to play the console version (if that's an option for them) or upgrade their machines if it's that important.

Oh - and if you have a DVD drive, get the DVD copy of the game. Who needs all those cds?

Most updates you will get will be available on the expansion pack CDs (no DVD expansion media). Most expansion packs (EP) will require that you back up your game files, since if you decide to uninstall the EP, your games won't be compatible anymore.  Better to have a copy of your "/Documents and Settings/My Documents/EA Games" folder to fall back on if you need to uninstall a expansion.

Got a new computer? Don't worry - install The Sims 2 on your new system, and all the expansion packs and custom content then copy your EA Games folder to My Documents on your new system. All your sims, houses, and neighborhoods come along for the ride, just the way you left them.

There are both true Expansion Packs, and Stuff Packs available. The EPs give you the most bang for your buck, adding new neighborhoods, careers, objects and styles of gameplay and making The Sims 2 the most addictive game I've bought in years.

Notable EPs include University and Seasons.  University gives your sims another life stage to live, and the added benefit of career boosts, and more Aspiration/Wants available. Also things like zombies are introduced.  Seasons is the next, and one of my favorite, allowing sims to go on vacation for fun, honeymooning and adventure. You also get weather - and the need to dress appropriately and use proper roofing! The weather will also affect your sims moods and activities and gardens. Grow your own food for fun, profit and mood/performance boosts!

Finally, go online and download custom content and building tips for your sims from many of the great sites entirely supported by creative fans. artists.

I love this game. I've had the original Sims which seemed to fall into a trap where the expansion packs made the game more cumbersome and annoying. The Sims 2 happily only adds new dimensions and fun without making the game seem more like work. I've had it since it came out, and am still buying expansion packs and playing it.
The game has introduced all new game-play features that change everything about how your sims function. Aspirations are now as important as Needs, and many of them are dependent on interaction with the other sims. With a broad nod to family relationships, the Sims 2 allows some basic family ties to be created along with your manually generated sims, and the relationships that occur during in-game sim creation - aka where little sims come from - will be automatic. You can create an extended family the easy way - create grandparents, their adult children, and their children (maximum of 8 in one household), and wind up with the full gamut of cousins, aunts/uncles, grandparents, etc. You can also do it the hard way, starting with a sim, finding their lifemate and get down to having a multi-generational extended family as part of the game. Both ways are both challenging and fun for different reasons. Features that were only available after many many add ons for the original Sims are available in the core game for The Sims2, and that's a welcome change. Some of the drawbacks are that there are bugs in the game which the 'support' staff generally attribute to users using 3rd party mods - even when they haven't. Actual support is rather spotty in that aspect as a result, and few patches are available. The generational aspect to the gameplay makes the standard support response to delete all your game files and start over seem a little harsh. The game does tax older systems. Actually, it can tax newer ones as well, particularly in a household with a lot of objects, a lot of sims and a party goin on! My suggestion for those scratching for disk space and wondering why the game brings their machines to their knees is to play the console version (if that's an option for them) or upgrade their machines if it's that important. Oh - and if you have a DVD drive, get the DVD copy of the game. Who needs all those cds? Most updates you will get will be available on the expansion pack CDs (no DVD expansion media). Most expansion packs (EP) will require that you back up your game files, since if you decide to uninstall the EP, your games won't be compatible anymore. Better to have a copy of your "/Documents and Settings/My Documents/EA Games" folder to fall back on if you need to uninstall a expansion. Got a new computer? Don't worry - install The Sims 2 on your new system, and all the expansion packs and custom content then copy your EA Games folder to My Documents on your new system. All your sims, houses, and neighborhoods come along for the ride, just the way you left them. There are both true Expansion Packs, and Stuff Packs available. The EPs give you the most bang for your buck, adding new neighborhoods, careers, objects and styles of gameplay and making The Sims 2 the most addictive game I've bought in years. Notable EPs include University and Seasons. University gives your sims another life stage to live, and the added benefit of career boosts, and more Aspiration/Wants available. Also things like zombies are introduced. Seasons is the next, and one of my favorite, allowing sims to go on vacation for fun, honeymooning and adventure. You also get weather - and the need to dress appropriately and use proper roofing! The weather will also affect your sims moods and activities and gardens. Grow your own food for fun, profit and mood/performance boosts! Finally, go online and download custom content and building tips for your sims from many of the great sites entirely supported by creative fans. artists. I love this game. I've had the original Sims which seemed to fall into a trap where the expansion packs made the game more cumbersome and annoying. The Sims 2 happily only adds new dimensions and fun without making the game seem more like work. I've had it since it came out, and am still buying expansion packs and playing it.