Software: Buy The Sims: Unleashed (Mac) Online

Average Rating:

After examining screenshots and playing Unleashed on a PC, I must tell you that in my opinion, Unleashed is the best expansion yet! I was not looking foreward to having pets, the whole idea seemed silly to me, but I enjoyed the furry little things after a while, even though they can be a little annoying.

So, with Unleashed comes all the objects I have been needing to make grand houses, spiral staircases (in metal and wood) new windows and doors, shutters, new decor and some really nice wrought iron fencing. However, all of these things have a touch of the New Orleans style to them, and the wrought iron fencing, that looks like it just came out of the French Quarter! Not that I object since I spend most of my time making grand plantation style mansions for my sims to live in.

Not only is there just decor to make me think that this expansion is based off of the dark and mysterious streets of New Orleans, in Olde Town you can find a fortune teller who will read tarot cards, masks, to make a Mardi Gras celebration perhaps??, and a charming cafe scene.

I also must say that having a HUGE new neighborhood is a perk. I was getting a bit sick of the old lots, and now I have a chance to explore totally new house lots and community lots, which is like getting a new version of the Sims!

If you haven't already ordered this expansion, I highly reccomend it, if only to give your sims pets, gardening and beautiful new objects. Maxis and Aspyr have really outdone themselves on this one!

When you install the game, there are TWO DISKS which need to be installed, but only the first one is used to play. When the game is installed, you enter to a very different looking neighborhood... it has been expanded! There are several new lots, not just for housing, but also community lots. As there is with most of the expansion packs, they have a quite a few of already created families and houses for you to play with. If you choose to create a family, they have new outfits and heads for you to pick, including some new hair colors! Then, you can move your new sims into their house and begin playing. There are some new walls, floors and furniture for you to decorate you house with, and also some some new ways to landscape. You can enter "Buy Mode" and buy furniture (which includes pet supplies!) for you new house, or get ready for your new pet. Once you have gotten accustomed to your new house, you can pick up the phone and call a cab to explore the "Old Town".

"Old Town" is all of the community lots which you can go to and either buy pets, gardening supplies or even visit a cafe!! After you call a cab, you will see a trolly come and pick you up (there is no fee for going to Old Town!). Then, you will go to a neighborhood shot where you can choose where you wish to go. There are buttons along the top, which bring up arrows, showing you which shops sell what. If you are looking to buy a pet, you can either choose to buy a big pet (dogs/cats) or a small pet (iguana/fish/birds/turtle). Once you are on the lot, you are joined by some neighbors and/or computer created people. There, you can choose to do whatever you like! Keep in mind, when you go to Old Town, everyone in the family goes with (even pets... if you already have one).

When choosing a large pet (dog or cat) in the store, there are little stands with either a cat or a dog playing happily on top. You can choose to play with it or adopt. When you select adopt, you can choose the gender and breed. The computer will then ask you if you are sure you want to adopt a pet, once you have bought your pet, you get to name it (be sure to give your pet a name which will help you to know which gender it is, because if you forget, there isn't a way to find out). Once you are done with buying/naming, you will see your new pet appear at your feet. Then, you can choose to buy supplies for it (toys, collars, treats, etc.). While wondering around the lot with your new cat or dog, you may see a man walking around, with strange clothing on, he is the pet trainer, he offers to train your pet, but for a fee (the fee will grow larger, the more experienced you pet gets). You can either choose to go home with your new friend now, or go to a different lot.

Now, just because it is called "Unleashed" it isn't all about pets! You can garden too! First, you must go into "Build Mode" to buy some good planting soil (it's about 65 simoleans). Then, you have to call up the trolley to take you to Old Town, look for a good gardening shop, and go there. There should be large seed racks where you can choose your seeds. You can choose from four different crops (lettuce, green beans, carrots and tomatoes), when you buy the seed packets, you are given five seeds, which is good for five plating lots. Once you have enough seeds, you can go back home to plant. Click on the square of dirt where you wish to plant your seeds. Your sim should walk over to the area and begin to plant (it may seem to take a bit longer compared to the amount of time it takes the sims to do other activities). After your crops have been planted, you must carefully tend your crops, which involves a lot of work (weeding, watering and eventually harvesting). When your plants have grown and are ready to harvest, do so, and the produce will get added to you inventory. You can then either choose to store you plants in one of the new pantry shelves, or sell them.

But, there is one last thing! There are now five new career tracks! You can either choose a job in the line of culinary, animal assistance, fashion, teaching or your sim can even choose to join the circus!!

I hope you have found this review helpful... and I hope you go out to buy the game. It is so much fun!!