Sim-ple Pleasures
I’ve spent a good chunk of time this evening thinking about why I like Sims 2 so much. I mean, it’s a lot of fun! I truly love it. But why? I think, to me, it’s a wonderful escape. I can create a perfect world to suit whatever my mood might be. I get to choose the people that populate it, how they look, how they act, everything! I can make them as funky or straight-laced as I like. Then I get to guide them through their daily lives. In a way, it sounds boring but it’s not! At least not to me.
There’s such a pure and simple pleasure in playing the Sims. I’m sure it satisfies that part of me that enjoyed playing Barbies and paper dolls as a child. The Sims, especially Sims 2, are animated dolls for grown-ups. Also, it’s a lot more fun clicking my mouse and making my Sims do the dishes than it is for me to go to the kitchen and do so! But it’s so much more than that.
Lately, I’ve really gotten into downloading custom content for my Sims. I had no idea how much was out there! It’s amazing! While, I’ve not yet tried my hand at creating my own custom skins and meshes, I do love adding all the cool stuff that other, more talented, people create. If you play the Sims, I suggest that you investigate some of the custom content out there. It can breath new life into the game if you’re beginning to get bored. You can download everything from hacks that allow you add careers or control a pregnancy to wild, imaginative genetics like hair and eyes.
Here are some of my favorite free sites for custom downloads. Oh, and it should go without saying that anything you download, you should check for viruses and such before installing.
Mod the Sims2—a smorgasbord of goodies by some of the most talented people on the web. The best place to start!
PeggySims—My favorite place for hair for my female sims. Lots of great stuff here.
All About Style—I love the selection of clothes here.
Helaene—Her make-up and eyebrows are absolutely gorgeous!
SimCribbling—truly unique genetics and hair meshes…perfect for my anime Sims.
That barely scratches the surface of what’s out there. Go and explore. And you too could have the Sims of your dreams…no matter how wild those dreams might be.
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