When seven expansions for "The Sims", I must admit that "Hot Date" was my favourite of the series as it was the first one that allowed the sims to leave home, added more interactions and a new friendship system with both short-term and long-term ratings. With TS2, we already have most of those interactions, the ST-LT friendship levels and they often leave home to go shopping or have a trip down the coffee shop from the beginning.

A lot of people were saying "Nightlife will be Hot Date for TS2" but considering a lot of those features have already been included, Nightlife has certainly added a lot more.

We can be vampires, we can have cars, we can go to clubs, restaurants, we can go bowling and play poker (although no slot machines yet - hint hint). We can also see where we are in context if we choose and also can have the pleasure-principle as our goal in life.

It isn't perfect and areas where we would have liked to see it be better have been pointed out.

Should you buy it? Ultimately that decision is yours but if you want my recommendation, you have it. It's worth it.

We first knew about "Nightlife" because of an well-placed insert in the gamebox. As before, Maxis have piqued our interest and in six months time, our sims will be able to become entrepreneurs with "Open For Business". Personally, I am looking forward to this one as it is tackling an area not previously covered. Again, TSZ will be open for business to review it when it is released in early 2006.

I wonder if we'll be able to make gnomes again, Maxis.

Dag dag