Previous attempts to bring The Sims to consoles -- last year's The Urbz in particular -- seemed to try too hard to modify the game to suit the perceived tastes of console gamers. Fortunately, The Sims 2 plays it closer to the lauded PC version of the franchise; moreover, it appears that the changes the developers have wrought are more selective and intelligent: new items, new features, and control tweaks, including one that should have been put in from the first Sims console game: direct control over your character.

As you begin the game, you design your Sim in just the way you'd expect: creating his or her appearance. The Sims 2 for consoles, though, offers a very high level of customization. Each Sim can wear three layers of clothes and modify them: for example, you can wear a shirt over a T-shirt, choosing whether or not to roll up the sleeves of the shirt or not. Bear in mind that's just the most basic level of the clothing customization available, here. At first I thought they were trying to appeal to extremely fashion-conscious gamers, but I soon realized that the developers actually just want to make it so your Sim can truly be individualized and reflect your style and identity. It's all a bit Barbie, but nobody's ever complained about a wealth of character customization options before and I won't be the one to start the trend. Beyond the cosmetic, you also choose your Sim's aspiration -- including a brand new one for the console edition, creativity -- that will guide your path through the game.


Despite its closer resemblance to the PC edition than previous console attempts at The Sims, this game is still far from the freeform meanderings you might expect (though you are free to play a completely goal-less, free play version of the game if you're so inclined, with a family of four Sims.) No, the developers have added in 16 locations with their own main characters, providing a linear progression of locales for you to unlock and explore, and then modify to your liking.

In the demo available at the EA event, we were able to switch from our created Sim character to a restaurant owner. Satisfying his needs and drives will eventually gain you his trust, allowing you to learn the whereabouts of other important locations in the game. What's cool is that with the new direct control, you feel immersed in the world of The Sims 2, but since you can still control everything the old, hands-off way, you can queue up plenty of actions for your Sim to work on, and then switch over to another character.