The Sims 2: Night Life

EA continues to milk the cow, but it's an entertaining expansion nonetheless.

It's ironic how Will Wright initially had to claw his way to have The Sims see the light of day; nowadays the same corporate execs likely hound Maxis studios to churn out more Sims expansions and sequels. The Sims 2: Nightlife seems to be the product of such a bottom-line centered ethic: it doesn't break new boundaries, but continues to stretch the lifespan of this once-innovative franchise.

Senseless Amenities
As the name of the game suggests, the second expansion revolves around partying at night--as vacuous and as short-lived in fun as the community lots included in the original game. Underneath the new retro-hip tiles and flashy furniture, the new social interactions haven't added any new dimensions to game play, but rather new options. Why scout out at a club when you can just invite a person to your house? Thankfully, sim-to-sim interactions aren't so locked down to your friendship level: it's now possible to flirt with a person the moment you meet them.

Other added relational dynamics are superficial as well. Anger, which mainly comes in the form of getting caught cheating with somebody else, just seems to slap on a cool-down timer that gradually mends relationships. Relational Chemistry supposedly builds between others (indicated by little lightning marks), but again the impact with other Sims seem negligible. Influence coaxes others to perform actions, but unfortunately comes off as a crude way to transforms others into a temporary slave.

Creatures of the Night
The most refreshing game play comes in the form of vampires and zombies, but it may not appeal to all Sim fans. Getting bitten by a vampire is a hassle (hint: influence works wonders), but the forced change in the undead lifestyle may infuse new life for players whose virtual dollhouses have been languishing on their hard drive. Juggling work--especially day jobs--adds a new layer of challenges, forcing you to rearrange your house for the nocturnal lifestyle.

Pimp My Generic Ride
The suburban teenage dream of owning your own car isn't as idyllic as you'd expect in the Nightlife. The selection of cars is scant, seemingly leaving the rest of the hard work to industrious modders. Other Sims still choose to walk to your pad, showing that the rest of the world is content to live in the pre-industrial era. And since cab rides are free in the Sims 2, having your own car isn't essential.

"Minor" would be the best way to describe the changes in Nightlife, and only fans will likely lay hands on this copy. Hopefully the career-based third expansion will be Sim Revolution we've all been waiting for.

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