Electronic Arts and Maxis were notorious for pumping out a new expansion for the original Sims every few months. Not only have they continued this trend with The Sims 2, but they’re doing it with finesse. In the past two years, we’ve seen numerous first-rate expansion packs, such as The Sims 2: University, The Sims 2: Nightlife and The Sims 2: Open for Business. As we approach the holiday season, Maxis has returned to the dance-floor yet again with another add-on for the series, this time around adding our adorable fury friends. Does it include enough gameplay to warrant its admission of 30 bones? Read on.

While the abovementioned expansions added locales and diverse career and schooling opportunities for your Sims, Pets takes things in a slightly different direction by solely adding a social element. To get this out of the way, no new locations have been included, as well as only minimal customization and clothing advancements. This expansion wholeheartedly focuses on the addition of pets, from dogs to birds.

If you’re familiar with the Unleashed expansion pack for The Sims, you should generally know what to expect here. To begin, you will have to obtain a pet. This can be executed by means of five routes – making friends with a stray animal, buying a pet from a store, making a phone call and adopting, opening up the catalog to purchase caged animals, or creating your very own cat or dog in The Sims 2: Pets’ elaborate creation editor. Personally, unless you don’t have the time, creating your pet is the only way to go. One, it’s free as opposed to attaining a pet from the store. Secondly, the editor boasts tons of options to make your pet as unique as possible (body/face shape, personality, characteristic spots, breed, etc). And lastly, it’s purely good clean fun.    

Once your pet is inside your house, you can teach it tricks such as play dead, stay, shake paw, and more. Instructing your pet on multiple tricks is a solid approach at building your relationship. This is because as your animal makes progress learning, you will involuntarily praise him, thus forming a firm foundation of friendship.

Teaching commands is only one method of interacting with your pet out of a plethora of choices. You are able to play games with your pet such as razzle and fetch as well. Additionally, giving your pal some love is also a relationship booster. Animals love it when you stroke their fur, rub their bellies, and give them treats.

Of course, it’s not all fun and games. If your pet does something against the rules, it’s your job to scold it. Pets don’t like this, but if you have a dog that’s chewing on your furniture or a cat that’s scratching all your electronics, you absolutely have to put it in its place or it will never learn. The Sims 2: Pets is a great deal similar to raising children. Spare the rod, spoil the pooch… err… child.

Having a pet, unlike in actual life, negates the need for having a significant other. During my time with this game, my character’s social meter was eternally maxed out. My dog, Crosby, watches television with me, eats my scraps, and brightens the days and spices up the nights all without lifting a paw. Moreover, when creating him, I statistically made him a laidback genius, so he’s very low maintenance and has only undergone a scolding or two for chewing on my bed.

Much like fellow Sims, you have entirely no direct control over your pet, meaning you will have to rely on commands to manage things. If your dog has to use the bathroom, taking it for a walk is sage advice. If the little guy is hungry, you simply have to fill its dish. Taking care of your pet is the paramount aspect of this expansion pack, aside from buying it toys to play with.

Fans of The Sims 2 have no doubt already added this to their collection, but if you’re still on the fence, your decision should be based upon whether or not you love animals. If you do, Pets is a dream come true. It will allow you to become a virtual breeder, a superb master, or the ultimate pet guru without the real-life hassle and responsibility of owning a living creature.

Gameplay: 8.2
The Sims 2: Pets may not possess much meat, but what it does add is worth the trip to the deli.

Graphics: 8.3
Visually, The Sims 2 engine holds up exceptionally well, even two years after its initial release. The virtual pets appear distinct to their breeds and have a good amount of personality.

Sound: 8.0
A terrific soundtrack sporting re-recorded licensed music. Simlish is as humorous as ever.

Difficulty: Medium
Being that this is in the simulation genre, difficulty remains fairly low. Progress primarily depends on how much time you’re willing to invest.

Concept: 8.1
Who doesn’t love animals? C’mon!

Overall: 8.2
Savvy on style, The Sims 2: Pets is a worthy addition to the laundry list of expansions currently available on the market.