For the casual player ....

A long introduction about the genre and the style of play, I can at this point probably save due to the popularity, so only a brief insight: You control a player one or more persons from beginning to end of life and takes in between all the important decisions, such as career choices and building houses. Also have the most important necessity, be as satisfied as sleeping.
First a small report about the game:
You can tell immediately that this game is addressed to the computer (poker players) beginners and EVT. Gelegenjeitsspieler. So is one to bridge a game set before the time during installation. Quite a nice idea bugged me while surfing, but a nice idea.
Furthermore, the game starts immediately when you insert the CD, very stressful, but ok.
Very striking for me was that there were no settings in the "Main Menu". Graphics, and sound options were set directly in the game, but also in relative detail. On my PC (Athlon 64 3200+, Geforce 6800 GT, Corsair 1GB RAM 120GB Serial ATA disk), the load times were pleasantly short.
Since you only could start the game on the main menu (no options) I was therefore more or less freiwilich quickly in the game. Technically, the game is well done:
- The camera is running more butter in all conceivable directions
- Interaction between all Sims
- The "DNA system" is interesting, but no more than that
- Good and detailed graphics
- Good building mode
- Entire life (from the baby to "cracker")
- Comprehensible desire, behavior and development
- ...
Well technically it sounds so good, but that's just the minimum part that makes a good game. (Older games are fun, despite old technology).
This brings me to playful part:
I recommend it to casual gamers wirklcih only the contact times to a PC and want to be employed relaxed. I play the other hand, intensive PC and had about 4 min joy after it got boring.
The Sims 2 is a mixture of Tamagotchi and daily soap. NO MORE! It runs continuously from this: satisfying needs, sleep, work and go again. The "Highlights" when you meet new people or a baby gets. Then it goes but with the feeding-on toilet go-Tamagotchi principle.
The ironic at stake is although generally, the adults can take care of themselves. I let the game 25 minutes run on 3x speeds control. Nothing happens on the contrary, all were satisfied and happy (even my party was a complete success with no intervention).
The game has no end but on top of that, it can run indefinitely. For me, a demotivating fact.
Some now say certainly I would be someone who only plays shooting games and the real world has no idea, but this is not so. I mainly play strategy, because I want to think and act strategically when playing to win, but why do you play the Sims? What should I simulate life? Where is the incentive to play until either all dead or a power failure paralyze the PC? The only times briefly from the perspective of a hardcore-gamer :-)
I deal better with my own life and computer games to reasonably required to be and work towards a goal. The Sims, however, I control etc. no victory in, but you go with such thoughts into play: "Today I'm going to read a cookbook, then I'll eat anything" or "I try to save as much a luxury bed for sale" or "I'll give the postman now tip and then by see the telescope ".
Who will like this idea at a computer game have been thrilled with the Sims. I think this is also the reason why it is mainly played by women (I do not want anyone to offend :-)). I consider myself rather to the "entertaining" Hammer games like Age of Mythology where I am if I win then also satisfied, or making progress in my tactics. The Sims on the other hand, you can not improve playful because there is no goal, what one might hinareiten.
Closing remarks:
Nice entertainment for beginners and Gelegeinheitsspieler who want to be just busy, want to start right away, which is not much to read need and want to play laaaaange and sometimes for a while can be careless. So whom the thought of endless games (what some called "long-term motivation" view), unpretentious (simple) Games Play what must not be negative, no change should like access.
The Sims 2 is the sequel to the Tamagotchi hype of the 90s coupled with relationships of all "Good Times Bad Times".
I held Sims 1 already for mischief and the AddOn Flood as money Schneidere. However, 3 stars there for CONSULT TECHNICAL side and plainness, because it must also games for casual gamers, non-computer junkies and novices enter.
Allen Pro-gamers, I advise most urgent to leave it alone. Prefers to play games with a direct target, which then also comes to an end and where you can improve, if necessary, because that's what I see as long-term motivation!