The Sims: Livin' Large

"Controlling the fate people has never been more fun!"

If there's one thing that Maxis knows how to do it's to make a fun and involving game. They've proven themselves to be a great game company time and time again with such titles as Sim City. These games put you in charge of businesses and communities and gave you the daunting task of managing them and bringing prosperity to your people. However, until recently there wasn't any games dealing with the people as individuals instead of as consumers or employees.

Then, with much publicity, a game was created called ''The Sims''. The game allowed you to play god and control people as they try to survive day to day life. This gem by Will Wright created quite a buzz among gamers and millions rushed out to buy their copy. Though there where some issues with the minimum system requirements not being accurate, the public embraced the game. Web sites began springing up offering new items and skins as an increasing number of people wanted more from ''The Sims''. Maxis responded by offering ''The Sims: Livin' Large'' expansion pack, featuring new objects and NPCs to add whole new dimensions to its smash hit title.

By far the most popular Sims files available for download are skins. Skins are basically new bodies, clothing, and heads you can use to create new characters to use when making a new family. The ''Livin' Large'' expansion pack doesn't quite deliver on the new bodies and clothing as it only offers the skins which were available for free download on ''The Sims'' official web site. There are still some interesting to garments for your people if you haven't already picked them up, such as a wizard costume for the children.

There are also some new NPCs to add some new fun to the hectic world of ''The Sims''. The grim reaper shows up whenever a person expires to collect their souls, but you can prevent this morbid ceremony by commanding another character to challenge him for the life of his or her companion. Be forewarned, if you win and restore your Sim to life it will not be the same as when it receive its near death experience. Another NPC is a strange clown that appears whenever his portrait is hung in a home. He does horrible tricks and is always moping about acting depressed and causing the people in the house to become sad as well. It's not easy to get rid of this pest but it's unclear why you just can't call the police and have him arrested. He wasn't exactly invited in after all.

Maxis has blessed us even further with new objects. Most of these objects are to improve your character's skills or make life easier for your creations. If you want your musically inclined Sims to take a break from the piano you can give them an electric guitar so they can impress their friends with some rock and roll guitar solos. To add convenience to the lives of your people you can buy them a Servebot, which tends to the chores without the hassle of a maid. Another fun item is the chemistry set for making potions to drink and to raise your logic points. These potions can make you invisible, reverse your personality, or turn you into a destructive monster. There are several more new items that you can use to help or hinder the lives of your Sims. There's even a genie in a lamp!

Maxis has made a great game even better with new features that will bring even more hours of entertainment to ''The Sims''. ''The Sims'' were worth buying before ''Livin' Large'', but now that it's been given it's second wind by Maxis it's all the more appetizing to a gamer starving for some fresh fun.

Reviewer's Score: 10/10, Originally Posted: 07/09/02, Updated 07/09/02