The Sims 2 now retail reality

In 2000, Maxis and Electronic Arts released The Sims, an unassuming simulation game that re-created everyday life. However, the game's fortunes were anything but ordinary. Four years and seven expansion packs later, the game has become the best-selling PC franchise of all time by having sold 36 million units worldwide. This success is in spite of the fact that the game's graphics have remained largely unchanged since 2000 and look relatively primitive by today's standards.

Now, The Sims' long-in-the-making face-lift has finally arrived. EA announced today that the sequel to the best-selling life simulation is finally a reality, because The Sims 2 has shipped to stores. "We are excited to have reached this milestone and [are] thrilled to turn over this revolutionary game to our community," said Maxis executive producer Lucy Bradshaw. The game is rated "T" for Teen and retails for $49.99, although it's just a matter of time before the first expansion pack for it is unleashed.

Besides obvious graphical improvements, The Sims 2 offers several innovations over its predecessor. The game will span sims' entire lives, with players' choices affecting how their in-game alter egos' lives play out. The Sims 2 will even go beyond sims' lifetimes, allowing them to pass along their DNA to their children--if they're lucky enough to get married.

The Sims 2 is available only for the PC, although a "street" version of the franchise--The Urbz: Sims in the City--will hit consoles and handhelds in November. But before you buy The Sims 2, read GameSpot's full review of the game.