DESCRIPTION

With all highly successful PC and Macintosh games, you can almost expect an expansion pack that builds upon the original; fans always desire more action before actual sequels are released. The Sims is no different. The Sims: Livin' Large incorporates various situations with five newly added career tracks and 50 jobs.

For those unfamiliar with The Sims, here's the gameplay summary in a nutshell: using a cursor-driven interface, you'll either create or choose a pre-manufactured family and control the way each person lives their lives. Depending on your personal preferences, you'll decide how each person interacts with others (through pre-determined traits) and how comfortable the living conditions are; you have the option of building houses, choosing various decors, and buying household appliances. You can even choose career paths for individual members of the family.

In The Sims: Livin' Large, you'll have five new career paths in which to choose: musician, slacker, paranormal, journalist and hacker. Each track is broken into various jobs. While those of the paranormal persuasion will investigate unexplained manifestations and read tarot cards, slackers will become golf caddies, lifeguards, and store clerks. Hackers earn their living by beta testing software, designing games, and programming advanced applications, while musicians hang out in subways, tune pianos, work as wedding and lounge singers, and eventually become famous rock stars.

In addition to these career paths, there are all kinds of bizarre situations and interactive objects like magical genies, roach infestations from sloppy living conditions, and unexplained phenomenon such as the exploding garden gnome. Depending on the situation, Sims may even be abducted by alien beings — perhaps you can hire paranormal investigators for explanations. For nihilistic gamers, there are options to build deadly moats and other traps around your house; whenever unwanted visitors come a ringing, they'll be swimming for their lives!

The Sims: Livin' Large also features three new architectural styles and décors. While you'll still have the option of downloading custom-made textures from the Internet, you can build colorful yet gaudy Las Vegas-styled homes with clashing colors and strange pieces of furniture. When you'd rather get medieval on the Sims, there are castle textures, a gothic setting, and yes, you'll have the option of building a mad scientist lab in the basement. Finally, there is an assortment of retro (1950-60s) textures including curved furniture, lava lamps, and shag carpeting.

Ever wanted to play God? Here's your chance to ruin people's lives...in the virtual world. ~ Matthew House, All Game Guide