The Sims 2 cover art

The Sims 2

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Summary (source: IGDB)

In The Sims 2, your Sims will be more lifelike, more responsive, and more complex than ever before. You'll be able to control your Sims over their entire lifetimes, taking them from their first steps to their golden years. Guide them through "Life's Big Moments" and build their "Life Score" with every decision you make. And since every Sim will have its own DNA, their appearance and personality will be passed down through the generations. Life in The Sims 2 will take on a whole different dimension with an entirely new 3-D engine.

Metadata (source: IGDB)

Release date:
September 14, 2004
Developer:
Maxis
Publisher:
Aspyr Media
Also involved:
Electronic Arts
Modes:
Single player
Themes:
Fantasy, Comedy, Sandbox, Romance
IGDB rating:
79 / 100 from 545 ratings
Total rating:
75 / 100
IGDB ID:
224

LGBTQ+ characters

  • Sims — Gay, lesbian, or bisexual Source

Storyline (source: IGDB)

The game starts at the neighborhood level. Here you can create a housing development from scratch or start with one of three pre-made neighborhoods, each with its own theme. From there, you'll settle on a house and a family of Sims to control. Sims now have aspirations, wants, and fears. The wants and fears are the day-to-day things that occupy their minds, like wanting to see friends or get married and fearing death or being rejected for a kiss. Satisfy their wants, and they become more efficient at completing tasks you assign them. Realize their fears, and Sims become lethargic, cranky, and unresponsive to your commands. Aspirations are the big-picture things, like raising a family, becoming wealthy, and gaining knowledge. Succeed here and you'll be able to buy odd gifts for your Sim to improve his or her life, like a money tree that pays dividends or a "fountain of youth" water cooler. Of course, you wouldn't be able to juggle all that if it weren't for the improved "Free Will" option, which makes it easier for Sims to fulfill their basic needs. The artificial intelligence of the game is noticeably improved; they won't turn on radios just as a family member is going to bed but, strangely, they do occasionally put their dishes on the floor. Another big change in the series is the concept of the lifespan. Now Sims are born with the traits of their parents, families grow, and Sims grow old. Not only does this go hand in hand with aspirations (growing up is the first aspiration that a baby Sim will have), it provides a limited time with which your Sims can achieve their goals. The pre-made households all have backstories that are smart spoofs of soap-opera plots--lots of scheming, romance, ghosts, and family fighting.

Screenshots (source: IGDB)

The Sims 2 screenshot
The Sims 2 screenshot
The Sims 2 screenshot
The Sims 2 screenshot
The Sims 2 screenshot
The Sims 2 screenshot
The Sims 2 screenshot
The Sims 2 screenshot
Imported Sep 19, 2026 · Last synced Sep 19, 2026 · IGDB record updated Sep 15, 2026