Can you believe that it’s been twenty years since The Sims 2 was released on PC?! Often seen as a revolutionary masterpiece, The Sims 2 not only looked graphically superior to the original Sims but also introduced more realistic and immersive gameplay elements too. Finally, there was the inclusion of being able to have scheduled days off from work or school, as well as a welcomed introduction of babies, toddlers and elders for an engaging birth to death cycle.
The Sims 2 also brought with it a total of eight new expansion packs that really extended the lifespan of the game and added more to overall gameplay. Yet although I can barely find fault in The Sims 2 and the expansion packs, I must admit that some are better than others. So, without further ado, here are The Sims 2 Expansion Packs, Ranked Worst to Best.
Now remember that this is a personal list of mine, so it might differ from the opinions and thoughts of other media outlets and simmers, so please take this list with a pinch of salt. My rankings of each expansion pack are based on a combination of things, such as replay ability as well as how much is added to the overall gameplay.
The Sims 2 Expansion Packs, Ranked Worst to Best
8/8 Pets
Ranked last is on the list of the worst Sims 2 expansion packs is The Sims 2: Pets. This pack sees the introduction of furry companions, such as cats, dogs, and smaller critters like parrots and hamsters. Supposed to make Sims’ lives more vibrant and bring a touch of warmth to the game, this Sims 2 expansion pack just feels lackluster compared to the other packs on this list.
While The Sims 2: Pets does add extra depth (and cute companions) to the overall gameplay, along with some questionable furniture pieces and clothing sets, it feels very limited with pet interactions being very samey as well as training becoming tedious. Also, the lack of proper controls often left players feeling frustrated at times, and pets’ impact on day-to-day gameplay wasn’t as significant as expected.
7/8 Free Time
Despite being a personal favourite of mine, even I have to admit that The Sims 2: Freet Time is an expansion pack laced with plenty of flaws. In this expansion pack, Sims are encouraged to explore hobbies, and even introduces new activities such as sewing, pottery, and even sports! Engaging in a chosen hobby added personality to sims and even included new gameplay perks and career boosts if they master them.
However, not all hobbies felt equally engaging, and balancing them with Sims’ daily responsibilities felt very overwhelming at times. Not to mention that the overall ‘hobby enthusiasm’ mechanic felt intrusive, with Sims constantly wanting to pursue their interests even at inopportune moments. Yet despite all its setbacks, The Sims 2: Free Time was a wonderful addition for those wanting to deepen their Sims’ personalities and expand their storytelling options.
6/8 University
I know that I might receive a lot of criticism for ranking this Sims 2 expansion pack so low, but since replaying The Sims 3: University and The Sims 4: University Life, this pack just feels lacking in comparison. This expansion pack gave Sims the chance to experience college life, complete with dormitories, parties, and new social groups.
Sounds exciting on paper, right? However, the pack’s pacing was slow, with university semesters often dragging on. Not to mention the constant studying and assignment deadlines were repetitive.
With that said, the game’s academic system added a layer of challenge to the gameplay, with degrees helping Sims advance faster in their careers, rewarding those who completed the rigours of university. Not to mention the introduction of the young adult life stage provided fresh storytelling opportunities. Although this expansion pack was ranked so low,
5/8 Apartment Life
Personally, I love shared housing and urban environments in Sims games as I feel like it adds depth and personality to the overall gameplay, and The Sims 2: Apartment Life captures that perfectly. In this Sims 2 expansion pack, Sims can now live in bustling apartment blocks, as they live alongside NPC neighbours which makes any complex feel livelier.
Apartment Life was great for storytelling, offering opportunities for drama and humour, however, limited controls over neighbours and occasional apartment glitches detracted from the overall experience.
Not to mention the introduction of witches felt slightly tacked on. Though the witches were fun to experiment with, magic and spellcasting felt baron and very bland- especially when you compare it to other expansion packs like The Sims 4: Realm of Magic or even The Sims: Makin’ Magic, which boasted a unique world and plenty of magical opportunities. All in all, The Sims 2: Apartment Life is alright and diversifies your Sims living conditions.
4/8 Open for Business
The Sims 2: Open for Business was an expansion pack that turned Sims into budding entrepreneurs, allowing them to run shops, salons, bakeries, and even toy shops. What makes this expansion pack so great is that it offers incredible customisation, letting players create unique businesses and hire employees. The level of control over tasks like setting prices and managing staff was impressive, giving a satisfying challenge to those who enjoyed strategy gameplay.
However, managing a business could also become very overwhelming at times, especially with a larger shop. Not to mention the constant micromanagement of employees can be exhausting at times and can detract from the fun. Despite this, Open for Business was an innovative and rewarding expansion pack, offering hours of creativity and potential storytelling opportunities. I will never forget when I decided to make my own massive superstore, complete with a H&M, pet shop, bakery and bowling alley.
3/8 Nightlife
Considered a good Sims 2 expansion pack by the community, The Sims 2: Nightlife allowed sims to hit the town, go on dates, and party until dawn. The downtown neighbourhoods were vibrant, filled with restaurants, clubs, and bowling alleys. The addition of cars was also a game changer, making travel quicker and more realistic. The inclusion of vampires was a quirky, but fun addition, great for players who loved supernatural gameplay.
The dating mechanic, including chemistry and attraction, was excellent for creating new romantic storylines. However, some venues felt repetitive over time, and vampires weren’t integrated deeply into the game- and if I’m to be honest, the vampires in The Sims 2 were laughable and cheesy to say the least. They would strut around the town at night, hissing, shouting ‘blurgh’ at random sims and just looked comical. A far cry from the vampires we wanted! Still, for Sims craving a social life, Nightlife was an essential expansion pack.
2/8 Seasons
Personally, I believe that seasons should be included in the base game, however there is no denying that The Sims 2: Seasons is one of the best expansion packs. The Sims 2: Season brought a transformative touch to The Sims 2 by adding dynamic weather, seasonal activities, and a very interactive and worthwhile gardening system.
Not only that but this expansion pack brought plenty of visual changes too, from snow covered landscapes, autumn leaves, scorching hot heat waves, and blooming spring gardens- making The Sims 2 feel immersive.
Activities like gardening and fishing offered new skills and hobbies for Sims to master, while weather effects like thunderstorms and blizzards added excitement. Although I will never forget the panic of trying to find my baby that my sim had put down in inches worth of snow. While we’re on the topic of weather, this expansion pack also required careful management of outdoor activities to avoid temperature-related discomfort. Nonetheless, Seasons remains one of the most beloved and atmospheric expansions.
1/8 Bon Voyage
I might be biased as this is my favourite Sims 2 expansion pack, but Bon Voyage brought a breath of fresh air to The Sim 2 by allowing Sims to travel to exotic destinations like tropical beaches, snowy woodlands, and Asian inspired locales. It also introduced fun activities like learning local dances, going on exciting tours and staying in various lodges, luxurious hotels and even tents.
Breaking away from the mundane grind of everyday life, The Sims 2: Bon Voyage allowed Sims to experience other cultures and even share that with friends back home. Not to mention there were plenty of unique cuisines to try and various activities which provided hours of relaxed gameplay.
Compared to other expansion packs on this list, I truly believe that The Sims 2: Bon Voyage is one of the best expansion packs, and prepared us for plenty of the exotic locations that we enjoy today in The Sims 4!
