For dream dates, you'll get a bunch of roses for horrible dates, you'll get a burning bag of something else. And your companions will follow up the dates with little gifts on your doorstep. You can use group outings, and bowling-alley lobster platters, to make friends fast, but it isn't easy.ĭating fundamentally makes the act of courting much easier, since you can quickly and easily see what your date wants. Nightlife even adds an all-new trait to your sims: turn-ons and turn-offs (which can include formal wear, athletic bodies, perfume, and different hair colors)-these new features can help you zero in on a dream date that much more quickly. Also, dates have the added bonus of showing your companion's exact desires and fears so that you have a much better chance of pulling off the best, or worst, date of his or her life. For groups, this meter measures how much fun everyone is having, while for dates, this measures how close sims are to a dream date. When the other sims agree, the game brings up a meter on the right-hand side of the screen that measures how enjoyable the event is. Both outings and dates can be initiated by having your sims ask other sims to go out. This is because they add more focus and goals to a game that some have criticized for being too open-ended.
None of the new features seem to fundamentally change The Sims 2, but relatively speaking, outings and dates are probably the most important additions to Nightlife. Your sims can use these activities to bond with their families and loved ones, as well as to fulfill the new "pleasure aspiration"-a new life goal for sims who just want to have fun. Downtown offers plenty of romantic and lighthearted recreation, from shopping centers to upscale restaurants to karaoke clubs. The new expansion adds a downtown area that your sims can visit to go on dates or group outings or just to hang out.
Nightlife takes the action downtown, literally. The premise of The Sims 2 originally revolved around keeping households of "sims" (the aforementioned computer people) happy by fulfilling basic needs (also known as "motives") and by pursuing careers, friendships, and important personal life goals. Now Playing: The Sims 2 Nightlife Video Review By clicking 'enter', you agree to GameSpot's