"I LOVE this game"

Even though some people don't seem to like this, I think they rated it too harshly.

Graphics: 9/10

The graphics aren't perfect, but they're great. The characters don't look as graphically pleasing as games like ''American McGee's Alice,'' but they still look wonderful. The items look better animated then they ever could in 3-D. The houses themselves even look great!

Gameplay: 11/10

The gameplay is better than I could have imagined, I expected the game to be a complicated, impossible to-do thing, but I found it easy to play and fun to make or break my ''Sim.'' The only small qualm I could possibly had was with the timer, it seems to be a little too quickly, but that was easily conquered as I simply needed to manage my time better. Invitng friends over is fun as it is a learning experience, you need to learn what they like and dislike, find out their interests, etc. Going to work is even a learning experience, you need to learn what you need to know to succeed in your job (i.e. A job in the military requires a high body meter, a job in science requires a high logic meter.)

Fun: 11/10

This will keep you up for hours. The two expansions make it much more fun, and as House Party shows, much wackier. You can theme your house to be a permanent Luau, an 1800th century country bar, or an underground rave center, the possibilities are endless. The new skins with each expansion makes your sims look more versatile. And the furniture allows you to be your special self.

Sound: 10/10

The sound is realistic, as well as creative. Even though the music is all in gibberish, it still sounds pretty neat. The rap music sounds like real rap music (I'm not that big with rap, which sounds like gibberish to me, anyway), the rock music sounds like rock, the country is believable, even though it sounds like bluegrass, which gets irritating. The sounds of even silverware clinking together adds to the realism of the game.

Replay value: 9/10

Whatever you do, DON'T USE CHEAT codes! As the game is like most Maxis games and has no end, you will get bored after a while of playing with a million dollars. Working for it is a lot more rewarding, a lot more fun, and a lot harder, making the game last MUCH longer. Other than that, the fun of making and breaking friendships, job offers, and anything else you can think of. The House Party and Livin' Large expansions are both pretty much needed to enjoy it to it's fullest. You NEED this game in your library if you want to call yourself a gamer.

Reviewer's Score: 10/10, Originally Posted: 08/09/01, Updated 08/09/01