The Sims: Livin' Large

"An Expansion That's F-U-N FUN!!!!"

This is the first expansion for The Sims, I believe (if I'm wrong, please tell me). Of course, being the first one, you might think, ''It isn't much. It's only the first one, after all.'' Well, boy are you WRONG. Let's start the review and find out why you're wrong, shall we?

Story ??/10: Like all The Sims games, there is no story unless you want to make one. Therefore, I can't give it a score. If you have a story for your sim, whether that's to find true love or to succeed in life, then you've got a story! However, if you don't have a story...then you don't! It's as simple as that. Of course, like I said, it all depends on you... ??? Story...

Sound 9/10: There isn't a lot of music in The Sims, mainly because when you're living, there's no music playing. The only time music comes on is when you're in Buy/Build Mode. Anyways, the music in Livin' Large is all the same as the original The Sims. Anyways, the music is, in my opinion, more or less elevator music. I don't know about you but I find elevator music quite catchy but it gest annoying after a while. In the Sims: Livin' Large, though, the music will get on your nerves a little but you shouldn't be listening to the music that much so it won't be SUPER annoying. Anyway, moving on, the SFX is very good (that's why the score is a 9). Every sound is perfect and life-like. When you play pool, you can hear the sound of the balls hitting each other. When you're watching TV, the sounds from the TV are nice. You can hear the water spraying when you take a shower. You can basically hear everything. Good Sound!!

Graphics 10/10: Nothing wrong here. The graphics are very nice. Sometimes, it can get a little blocky...but maybe it's just because of my computer. Anyways, everything from the Sim to the items are perfectly sculptured. When you make a house with all the furnishings you want and make it the way you want, you'll be happy with your creation. Not only that but you can just look at it because everything looks so good!! Great Graphics!!!

Controls 10/10: It's on the computer. It's meant to be easy. Responsive. Easy. Simple. Etc. The controls are good. You really just need your mouse...and that only has 2 buttons to press...but you'll only be using one most of the time so...Great Controls!!!

Gameplay 10/10: The Sims: Livin' Large is just an expansion. The game is still played the same way as in the regular Sims. So you just live a life with your Sim and accomplish whatever you want to accomplish. However, with the expansion of Livin' Large, you get about 150+ new items!! Isn't that great!? You get new interactions, NPC's, possibly everything you can imagine!!!!!!!!! Now, you might be thinking, ''What's so great about new items? It's still the same, basically.'' Well, once again, you're WRONG! Some of these new items add ''zing'' into the game. Let's say, for example...the Genie Lamp. Everyday, you can rub it and a genie will pop up. Then you're given two choices and you can choose one to your liking. Now the genie will grant your wish (depending on what choice you chose out of the two). However, he's not a perfect genie and might screw up sometimes...so...yeah. You see, that one object adds a whole new perspective to the game. There's many more, though (and if I bothered to talk about each and every one of them, this review would be LONG). That's why Livin' Large is so good! Great Gameplay!!!

Replay Ability 10/10: All Sim games are meant to have good replayability. Why shouldn't this game have it? Well, I'll have you know it does. Simple, easy, and right to the point. You'll be playing this game over and over again simply because Sim games are addictive. Great Replayability!!!

Difficulty 8/10: Let's just put it this way. Cheating To Get Cash = EASY AND FUNNER, BUT NO CHALLENGE. Working To Get Cash = CHALLENGING AND ACTUALLY LET'S YOU HAVE A GOAL, BUT IT GETS KIND OF ANNOYING... Simple, right? Good Difficulty!!

Other: Well...some people consider this the best expansion for The Sims but, as good as this game is, I disagree. There are more expansions and I think that some of those are better than this one. However, I'm not saying that this expansion is bad.

Buy or Rent? Buy it! Of course, you could just borrow it from a friend and install it in your computer. Then, as long as you have the LATEST expansion, you can simply use that CD to play this expansion. However, I'm NOT saying you should do that. Just buy the gosh darned thing!

Overall: 10/10

Reviewer's Score: 10/10, Originally Posted: 06/02/03, Updated 06/02/03