Bruce Von Stiers

The Sims was such a top selling game that EA Games had their Maxis Studios roll out an expansion pack for it. The expansion pack is called The Sims: Livin’ Large. It is a really welcomed addition to immensely popular game.

This expansion pack will have a little something for everyone. There is a heart-shaped bed for the amorous among the Sims. There is also a robot that can do all of the housework for your Sims. There are several more locations that can be added. Some are kind of cheesy, like the Medieval Castle, but they are definitely an interesting added touch.

The characters now have more to do and a bunch of things to interact with. Give Bob an electric guitar to play. At first Bob just produces screeches, but slowly improves his musical skills. This will add to Bob’s personality and other attributes. But be careful not to let his wife Betty get a hold of the guitar. She will make like she is Jimi Hendrix and sound even worse than Bob did when he was first learning to play.

As with the original game, it is up to the player to keep track and maintain the lives of the Sims. If you don’t feed your Sims, they will get hungry and pretty surly. Not a good enough job won’t bring in the money and needed items for the house can’t be bought. The wrong thing said to a neighbor could alienate them. And what about trying to start a family?

The designers of the expansion pack have added even more real life situations into the game. Not keeping your house clean could mean receiving visits from some cockroaches. Friendships can be explored and you might want to get to know your neighbors a little better. You never know when they might prove useful.

There are now 5 new careers and now the game has 50 new jobs. Choose from careers like a journalist or musician. A career option that might appeal to more than a few of you who are reading this review is computer hacker.

There are also more neighborhoods to build in. You can now have up to 50 homes in your game beings these four new neighborhoods have been added.

The game has 125 new items that have been added. Things like the electric guitar that I mentioned earlier are pretty helpful. Other items like a crystal ball and a magic lantern are too quirky for my tastes. An added weird touch is that the Grim Reaper may show up and you will have to suck up to him to save a Sim’s life.

If you want your Sims to “Party Hearty”, then Livin’ Large should be on your shopping list. It is a much wanted and needed addition to the Sims game.

You will find The Sims: Livin’ Large at stores like Circuit City, Best Buy and Target.

Check out more information on The Sims at www.TheSims.com. You also might want to visit EA Games at www.eagames.com.