A decent addition but runs the risk of wearing off in interest too quickly.
Gameplay: 8
EA did a great job of reinventing the vacation idea in this expansion. There is wide customization on how long the vacation can be, when to go, where to go and what you can do once you are there. Just don’t forget to take your towel! For non-Hitchhiker’s Guide fans please ignore the last comment as it has soared right over your head’s like a depressed android on cocaine. There are numerous hidden actions to be found and while some are corny they do at least give a distinct feel to each vacation area. Secrets also abound in each area and it provides gamers with a fresh bit of exploring to unlock them all. When it’s all over though, I fear the novelty will wear off for many fans, even for the most hardcore Sims fans. Once every area has been visited, every action gained and every secret is unlocked there really isn’t much to do while on vacation but to redo everything you have already done. While being able to use your new found actions back at home and even buy many of the nice items found on vacation lots, there’s just nothing else to do with a vacation once it’s all been done. I compare the vacation lots to the downtown lots in that once you’ve had your fill of them you will likely not use them again just to avoid all the long load times just to access them. If your load times are not so long, or have found enjoyable activities to do during such load times, maybe this won’t effect you and the novelty of vacationing will stay strong for months. Just keep in mind that there are a finite number of things to do in this expansion and many of them are only available in certain vacation lots.
Graphics: 9
While you see the standard Sims 2 fare of graphics we’ve come to love, this expansion does go one step further in the layout of the lots. Many lots were constructed in a way that really took advantage of the beautiful graphics Sims 2 can offer. If you’re fortunate to have Sims 2: Seasons installed the lots get even better as each season contributes its own signature color changes enhancing the beauty even further.
Sound: 10
Again you will find the same standard in sounds as we have come to expect: good music remastered in simlish. One notable stand out this time around is the Surf music. This genre just fits so well with the Tiki Island beach lots and I never get tired of listening to these songs. Great job on this one EA!
Value: 6
I hate rating a Sims game so low in value, especially one that I plan to use for several movies later on. But viewing the expansion in the angle of just strict as designed game-play I just don’t see the lasting power. Yes it is great going on vacations and there are some fun activities to play with and discover. But once you’re done with it and you can only go back and do it again with so many families for so long before you get tired of it. The objects added are fun and interesting but honestly there’s not much in it that I found the game couldn’t stand without. Being able to swim in the ocean and build seaside lots might be the most profound change I did notice but again it’s not something that changed the game so profoundly that it just couldn’t be played if I didn’t have it right away. When it comes right down to it, if you’re into vacations and just have to have every expansion then the value is there. If you find your game just fine the way it is now the value will be much lower and you can probably get by without it until prices come down or even not get it at all.
Tilt: 8
I put more into the tilt since there is where I see the game beyond what it was designed to do in the first place. The actions that are added provide a great asset to movie makers and I highly recommend that anyone who does shoot movies to get this just to have access to the new items and actions. The seaside lots are great for adding a difference to the boring old land locked lots but you need to watch the price on them as just the base land value is pretty steep. Going on a vacation is a great break from the monotony of every day Sim life and until you do get bored with it they do provide a good deal of fun. The bonuses you pick up from a good vacation are a nice addition too and can help push a family along in their goals when that little push is needed. Bigfoot was another great addition on the creature sim front and will make a good addition to any family who is looking for a hulking beast to lumber around with. I haven’t found much use for the jewelry option yet, but it’s another nice option to have access to. There is a decent amount of interesting stuff to play with in this expansion but it all boils down to just how long it will hold your attention.
Overall: 8.2
Buying this game revolves primarily around just how badly do you want to have vacation options for your sims. There are plenty of good actions, items and new additions to waste time with but eventually the novelty will wear off and the vacation lots will be rarely used. For avid Sims gamers it will likely take longer for this novelty to wear off and I highly suggest to such fans that they pick this expansion up without haste. For those who love their game (or despise their game) as is you really need to take a long hard look at what you will be getting here. If past expansions wore off on you quickly, don’t expect any change here because that’s exactly what will happen. When the prices fall and this expansion shows up in the bargain bins that may be your time to pick it up as you will find the additions are nice to have at the very least. I for one have enjoyed playing the expansion so far, but I can honestly say that in a few months I will likely only visit a vacation lot when a family is just so darn boring that only a trip to do the same vacation themed actions again will cure it.