The Sims 2: Pets (PC, 2006)

Although The Sims 2: Pets was highly anticipated by many, I really wasn’t that excited about it. I bought it because I enjoy playing The Sims, and it was on sale. =) Now that I have played it, I see what all the fuss was about. The Sims 2 Pets is amazing. I have discovered my inner animal lover! Now please read on as my raving review ensues:

Music: The Sims 2 had a certain theme to the music. With each Expansion pack the music theme is changed just enough to match its subject. I found pets to have a sort of weird beachy, spacey, west coast sound. Artist’s music such as The Flaming Lips and The Pussy Cat Dolls are also in the game.

Clothes: Not many for your sims, and no hairstyles either, however, this Is “Pets” afterall.

Pets Accessories: A dog house for every pup, multi-story cat homes, a variety of food bowls, squeaky chew toys, adorable pet beds/cushions, and a myriad of collars.

Building Tools: Flattened Lot (click and flatten the whole place!), Sledgehammer (Obliterates building&objects with just a click) and Diagonal and Octagonal Room Tools, all very useful!

Furniture and Building: New black phones, some cool lighting, pretty planters, some okay walls and floors, and various other space theme objects. Other pets such as birdies and the womrat are under the Pets category of furniture.

And now for the best part:

Pets: I was astounded by the detail put into the animals. Tons and tons of breeds of cats and dogs. Everything is customizable, down to whether the pet has two congruent eye colors. There are so many options, I was in awe. One can almost virtually create their own species =) Personality is also chosen during the creation process with 5 categories. (genius vs. doofus, hyper vs. lazy, independent vs. friendly, aggressive vs. cowardly, and pigpen vs. finicky) Pets can also be adopted by dialing up the Pet Adoption Center.

Pets Jobs: Showbiz, Security, and Service. All require the pet to learn a trick (roll over, speak, etc. etc.) to be promoted. In my opinion, the pay is very nice, starting at about $100 and easily ascending to $400+ a day. With advances new pet coat colors and collars are unlocked.

Training: The higher the charisma of the Sim who trains the pet, the easier the training is. It’s also best to be on good terms relationship wise with the cat or dog beforehand. Generally very easy, with adorable animations. However, a Trainer can be hired by phone.

The Little Things: The pets behavior in general is just so sweet. All the little nuances put into the game make it really a joy to play. Toddler/Pet interactions especially are just so endearing. Pets are easy enough to take care of that one can easily run a family with pets.

Extra: Although pets behavior is not controllable by default, cheat codes like boolprop ControlPets (on/off) and boolprop PetActionCancel (true/false) allow the user to control pets and cancel unwanted actions in their queue. (Ctrl, Shift and C held down simultaneously to enter cheats)

I purchased my copy at Target for $25.00 and with it got the exclusive code for the Star Dalmatian. That dog has become my favorite, so I would highly recommend purchasing pets at Target! Really though, wherever you want to buy it, go get it. You won’t be disappointed! =) -colimeconut

The Sims 2: Pets, doesn't break with tradition, so to speak. It adds domestic dogs, cats, birds, and rodents to The Sims 2, along with plenty of new items. If you weren't already a fan of the series, it seems doubtful that Pets will change your mind, but the expansion still adds plenty of content that will definitely be of interest to experienced players looking to add more to their Sims 2 experience in any way they can. Pets act as brand-new family members, although hamsters and birds generally stay put in their cages. For these smaller pets, you can feed them; play with them to give your sims some social contact; and in the case of birds, teach them to talk to improve your charisma. Dogs and cats can be much more interesting. You can create canines and felines from a great number of different breeds and are given tons of different customization options that let you choose size, age, different ear types, fur color patterns, and even some minor pet accoutrements, like collars. You can also determine your pet's personality, such as whether your pet is friendly or aloof, neat or messy, and quick to learn new tricks or a bit slower on the draw. If those last sentences got you excited, there's a good chance that The Sims 2: Pets is for you.

Wonderful game, plenty of fun and funky new stuff. wonderful tools in the body shop. I spent almost three hours making one dog, but there is the possibility to mave one with just a couple of clicks. When choosing breeds most of the breeds are pretty acurate, however the one that really bothered me was the husky, whick was built along the lines of a collie. I personally think that EA could have done a much better job when making the base for that breed, but it is easilly customised so that it will look like an actual husky, so no harm done.

While sims are fun to play without pets, with pets it adds a new playing dimension that, in my opinion, makes the game even better. You have new stores to visit, you can buy or sell pets, you have a bigger family for sure but overall I enjoy the fact that you can literally create your own pet. Just like designing a sim you can change the dog or cats body, hair color, or personality. I love creating new pets! Especially when they can get jobs and make money!

I bought this game to add to my almost complete collection of the sim 2 games. I enjoyed all of the expansion packs so much I decided to one day have the complete set. If you are like us we have a big family and not alot of extra $$$ to go around. So as part of a effort to teach my kids how to stretch a dollar... I started my daughter on this game a month ago and she is able to care for a couple animals now she has to have help with the adult sim but is learning this game is simular to life. It is a great game to teach with because you have to care for the sim~sims and pets. You get to choose what your pet will look like from spots to stripes solids to patches. Your pet can have a collar, bandana, Your pets may earn bonus items as rewards. Your sim has to teach the pet how to behave with scolding the unwanted trinkles in the house and praises outside. Then there of coarse are the basic care needs baths,petting,feeding and more. This game is great for kids to learn how to budget money to buy items for there home as well as shopping for extra's. I personally have played many hours and have been caught playing past my bedtime. LOL. I of coarse recommend that children beginning this game have help it is so neat to watch my child understand saving twards the couch she really wanted or waiting to have enough money in her sim account to have another animal to care for. The only thing i dont like about pets is there are no barn animals. Horses would have been a real treat... This is a very nice addition to the sims 2 game.