The Sims 25h Birthday Bundle Review: A VIP Celebration That May Not Be Worth the Price of Admission

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The collection of The Sims and Sims 2, titled Legacy Edition, fell short of expectations among dedicated fans. Instead of providing a joyous tribute to two iconic games in a well-loved series, it left many disillusioned due to subpar performance at launch and high prices that could deter potential newcomers.

In simple terms, when I refer to these collections as “ports,” I mean they are adapted versions of the original games. Unlike the Dead Space scenario for EA, both The Sims 1 and 2 were indeed ported. They were included in EA’s 25th Birthday bundle and sold for $40. If you choose to buy them separately, you’ll pay $30 for The Sims 2 and $20 for the first game.

You may have come across views from longtime series enthusiasts, and they’ve expressed dissatisfaction for numerous reasons. As someone who has dabbled in the Sims series, primarily enjoying Urbz: Sims in the City on the Nintendo DS, I can assert that The Sims 25th Birthday bundle is quite functional for those who enjoy life simulation games. However, the high cost and frequent crashes and glitches make it challenging to endorse this collection unless you’re a devoted fan seeking an effortless means to run both games on contemporary computers.

Although some people still enjoy Sims 1, it’s fair to acknowledge that many Sims fans are eager to replay The Sims 2 again.

If you’re hoping for a major visual upgrade when you spend around $30-$40 on The Sims 2, you might want to reconsider. While some players appreciate that it looks very similar to its original version, those looking for the latest and most modern gaming experience may find it appears somewhat outdated, even with the resolution enhancement which is a useful quality-of-life improvement.

If you’re new to this game series, the captivating gameplay cycle is what makes it worth trying. Even if you haven’t played a Sims game before, the latest installment significantly builds upon its previous versions across various aspects, offering a unique and enhanced experience.

Once you start the game, you’ll find yourself presented with several towns, each offering a distinct atmosphere for your sims. The game then allows you to decide how much guidance you want – there are plenty of tutorials available if you need help, or you can dive right into the game and experience the chaos that comes from managing an unregulated save on your own.

Exploring the variety of experiments available by casually browsing through the menus on my own time offers an enjoyable experience. Mastering various methods to satisfy a Sim’s needs, ranging from essential requirements to achieving their dreams and boosting their spirits, brings delight.

However, consider exploring the various alternatives available to you. Perhaps you might engage in playful banter with someone other than your partner. Or, maybe you could declutter by selling unused household items, or even stage a harmless prank like cooking a surprise meal in the kitchen to gauge their responses.

You don’t have to assume I’m always playing The Sims by the rules. After all, it does provide opportunities to act unconventionally at times. So, it’s understandable that I might sometimes succumb to my impulses within the game.

Whether you prefer one style or another, you’ll find plenty of content to keep you engaged for dozens, if not hundreds of hours, on The Sims 2, thanks to the Legacy Collection which includes almost all DLC. Unfortunately, some licensed content won’t be available and it’s unlikely that it will be added in the near future.

Purchasing the 25th Birthday bundle gives you a special look at where the series began. Even though the sequel showed greater ambition and execution in key concepts, fans who didn’t get the original release in 2000 might appreciate the novelty of playing the first game. However, if you own The Sims 2 or don’t care much for it, there’s not much value in the bundle for you.

Regrettably, even though I enjoyed my playtime with the games, I encountered occasional crashes which hindered me from fully immersing myself in The Sims world. These crashes often necessitated restarting the game, but some players have faced more severe problems such as performance issues and bugs that erase sims from their games.

Currently, at the moment of composition, EA has made some updates and assured they will monitor the situation closely with the aim of enhancing the gaming experience for those who bought either game.

If EA had put more effort into the Birthday bundle for The Sims, it could have been an incredible tribute to the series. However, due to its quality alone, it’s just acceptable as a port because both games are strong foundations. Moreover, since there are no other legal means to obtain these games that will run on modern PCs, these versions are currently your only option for downloading them.

I would suggest that Electronic Arts (EA) could learn from Capcom by including additional content in their packages, such as digital memorabilia, artwork, behind-the-scenes insights into the development process. This way, the bundle becomes more than just a collection of easy-to-access games; it adds depth and meaning to the overall package.

Despite persistent issues requiring resolution, an elevated cost for a game that many were eagerly anticipating, and limited enhancements to warrant such a price, it presents a challenging proposition for both novice players and dedicated enthusiasts.

A copy of the game was provided by EA for review purposes.

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2025-02-11 00:42