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| From: Electronic Arts
Category: Video Games
List Price: $19.99
Buy New: $14.49
You Save: $5.50 (28%)
New (12) Used (17) from $12.00
Avg. Customer Rating:  42 reviews
Sales Rank: 473
Format: Cd
Platforms: Windows 98, Windows 2000, Windows Xp
ESRB: Teen
Media: Video Game
Edition: Standard
Autographed: No
Memorabilia: No
Batteries Included: No
Age: 12 - 20 years
Operating System: Windows 2000
Shipping Weight (lbs): 2
Dimensions (in): 0.1 x 0.1 x 0
MPN: 15371
UPC: 014633153712
EAN: 0014633153712
ASIN: B000VSEF52
Release Date: February 26, 2008
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Shipping: Expedited shipping available
Condition: new new new
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| Customer Reviews:
| Showing reviews 21-25 of 25 | | « PREV | | |
 Will Eat Up *Some* Of Your Free Time May 16, 2008
2 out of 3 found this review helpful
The seventh, and likely the final, expansion pack in the Sims 2 series attempts to fill up your Sims free time. It's well timed, given that Maxis/EA seems to have recognized that by this point in the series, most players, whether working on the same neighbourhood for a long time or simply being seasoned with the way the game works, will have mastered the cycle of work/needs/friends/money, and as a result, they've got a group of bored sims (and players) on their hands.
Enter Free Time, whose main feature is the addition of "hobbies" - 10 tracks of personal enjoyment that your sim can pursue, with one in particular clicking particularly well with them from birth (its predetermined and often genetic - as yet there is no way to change it). The hobbies range from the artsy - Music & Dance, Arts & Crafts, Cooking, - to the brawny - Tinkering, Sports, Fitness - to the brainy - Film & Literature, Science, Nature, and Games.
Each hobby has 10 interest points your sim can build up by participating in activities (some skill building, others that work like the work benches from Open For Business). Along the way, each point unlocked for a hobby opens up a special beneficial activity or skill related to the hobby (ex: you can make cheese platters if you're interested in cooking or discover new planets if you're interested in science). Once you build up 5 interest points you'll be invited to a secret lot for your fellow enthusiasts - some of which offer neat extras like cooking or dance competitions.
While the interests points is a neat feature, it also requires constant vigilance in keeping your sim involved in an activity - otherwise they lose their 'interest' in it. In regards to following your predestined favourite hobby, some hobbies are easier than others, particularly if they match up with your career choice. Science and Film & Literature in particular are very limiting with the activities that will help your score.
There are also 5 new careers - Oceanographer (Marine Biologist?), Secret Agent, Architect, Dancer, and Entertainer (think clowns and magicians). Nothing too exciting to report here - you make a fair chunk of change with each job and it's relatively easy to get to the top, but it does add more variety in the jobs your sims can start out with. The bonus objects are mostly forgettable aside from the fun architects table that sort of works like the artist easel but creates pencil sketches of blueprints or scenes around the home.
Another new feature is the addition of aspiration points that go towards your lifelong aspiration meter (and cramps the screen a bit). As your life goes on you can collect aspiration points and spend them on special benefits related to your needs, career, aspiration - or add a second aspiration and collect benefits from that.
In terms of objects & decoration, there isn't tons. The game comes with a new retro/grandpa looking family room set (think dark wood, record players, and plaid) and a chic modern kitchen set in 4 colours (although kind of odd considering the newest Kitchen & Bath Stuff pack). There is a fair bit of decoration but most of it is posters & desk accessories related to the various hobbies. Although at first glance it seems like the developers have added a ton of new objects for your sims hobbies, they quickly become repetitive (1 or 2 new items per hobby is very limiting!).
I would still recommend Free Time if only because it adds new items & new jobs - which help freshen up the game at this late point in the series. The actual inclusion of the hobbies etc. isn't that monumental, but it does give you something extra to do once you're tired of rolling around in sim cash or having a million kids.
 Expansion Pack adds new aspects of playability May 15, 2008
1 out of 2 found this review helpful
This is probably the best expansion pack put out so far. It adds so many aspects to the game its like playing a whole new game entirely. If only they'd come out with this one first!
great gift May 14, 2008
1 out of 3 found this review helpful
I got this game as a gift for my girlfriend who is obsessed with the whole Sims series. I asked her what she wanted for her birthday and instead of hinting at a night out or a romantic dinner, her response was simple: "...I want Sims freetime". Well whatever keeps the old lady happy. She enjoys the game very much and recommends it to others.
Great Game April 26, 2008
2 out of 3 found this review helpful
Now the Sims can become even more realistic by having hobbies! Each Sim has a pre-picked hobby they enjoy. Some hobbies include: music and dance, sports, arts and crafts, nature, science, cusisine and tinkering. Now you can build trainboards (caution can kill Sims!), restore cars, hunt bugs, make pottery, you can now have secondary aspirations, and discover secret lots. Alot of fun, makes your Sims more unique! Pretty fun
Great Expansion Addition April 21, 2008
1 out of 3 found this review helpful
This expansion is great. I love that you can fix up a car with another sim. That you can build up your hobbies and get a membership card for your hobbies, and visit those places. That you can enter contests. There are alot of thngs that will keep you busy with this addition. I FULLY recommand buying this product and I cannot wait for The Sims 3 to come out soon.
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