The Sims 2: Open for Business Expansion Pack (PC CD)

The lowdown:
The idea of a Sims business tycoon game may seem odd, but this is a surprisingly fun and accessible expansion. Although you can stay at home and create items to sell, most businesses are run from a new shopping centre area, which you can also visit separately. To run a shop you buy objects as normal, and then display and price them individually, or in bulk for your store. Running a restaurant or other service is more a case of creating the right mood with furniture and staff. You can hire and fire employees as you want, but it's worth being as hands-on as you can because you gain a wide range of new skills from the work you do.

Most satisfying moment:
Starting with a lemonade stand and building up your business empire until you can afford to buy any plot of land in town.

Since you ask:
As well as all the business tycoon elements the game also features 125 new items, including display cases, workbenches, cash registers and more.

The bottom line:
Another surprisingly generous and innovative expansion pack.
Harrison Dent

Much the same as my fellow pre-play reviewers I am a long term addict of the Sims and I have all the expansion packs for series 1 & 2 so far. I'll admit I actually found Sims 2 a little boring once the excitement of the superior graphics had worn off and before the first expansion pack was released for it simply because by then I was used to all the add-ons.

If you have an older 'puter like I do then you'll seriously want to upgrade your RAM for smoother game play before purchasing these Sims2 games. I've recently plugged in more memory sticks and gone from 512mb to 1gb and *wow*! A new graphics card was easy to install too, even for a non-techie like me and is definitely recommended for serious Simming. Well, for any high-specification long-term open-ended game.

EAGames are sure to have yet another best seller with Open For Business. They definitely get the timing spot on for me as they always always release a new Sims add-on just as I'm getting bored with the previous options. Like any fan I'm looking for the next excitement, the next challenge, the next peak to aim my Sims at.

The screen shots look great; it also looks like there are plenty of new items/toys for your Sims to spend their hard earned simoleans on and especially for the younger members of the family. I felt their materialistic needs were only partially addressed with the new items in the Christmas Party Pack and the current teens & pre-teens of my various Sim families are surely going to suffer in adult life for missing out on the new options and chances to develop their skills & talents in their more tender years. Tsk tsk, tut tut, thank goodness they're not real. Anyway I can always bulldoze 'em, drop 'em in the bin and start again.

And for just 15, well that's bargain entertainment. How can you go wrong? If you enjoy strategy, forward planning, micro management, being an altruistic force of good in the universe, OR if you want to indulge your darker side to relieve stress from having a real bad day in your own work place by making a Sim have some really horrible ones (and you're the Giant Devil pulling their very needy greedy strings) ... then this is the fantasy series you should to choose to invest in.

Feel the force! Pre order this game now!


BUY IT!   February 6, 2006
Michael Gore
60 out of 97 found this review helpful

Well, if you have played The Sims or The Sims 2 before, I don't even have to tell you how good this expansion will be, so I'll assume you're a newcomer.

Right from the start, The Sims has been a hit, and the core motivation of what drives players to enjoy The Sims is the delicate balance that the developers have achieved between fantasy and reality.

Just having fun and seeing your Sim families achieve success from their job was the focal point of the original Sims game. Then proceedind expansions offered alot more interactivity, building options and endeavours - including; pet training, become a movie star, casting spells and going camping to name a few.

However, The Sims being as an amazing achievement as it was, The Sims 2 was a truly astonishing feature. The most noticable improvement was the graphics and realism of the little people themeselves, and the accurate 3D modelling of the household items. Also, an overhaul of the architectural facilities of the build mode was a complete delight - building homes was fun before but this was something else.

Then in true Maxis style, it wasn't long befoe an expansion was released for the Sims 2 - 'University'. This allowed players to send their Sims to college and get a degree which in turn opened up new career options that paid alot more money than average jobs.

The next expansion - 'Nightlife', was a diamond for Sims fans because as great as it's new features were (nightclubs, restaurants, vampires and bowling) it was the CARS (yes you read that right) that got most players excited - as cars have been on Sims players wishlists since the beginning.

Now, it's a new year and a new way to play the Sims. 'Open for Business' will be a treat for players, as I can speak for a lot of Sims fans when I say that business management has a been a Sims fan's fantasy for a long time - because it offers an opportunity for playability that can be both fantastic and realistic - however you play to choose.

All in all - Maxis have never disappointed when it comes to Sims games - and don't expect that they will with 'Open for Business'. It's going to be great - and I for one will be getting up early and taking the day off college come 3rd March - I advise you to do the same.

Thankyou for reading, M.Gore.


Ok   August 4, 2006
WYrox!2k6 (Huddersfield, England)
50 out of 54 found this review helpful

OFB is pretty good. Not up to the standard of Nightlife but pretty good all the same.

I like how you can run a business at home and I actually prefer it to buying and running a business downtown or in the new neighbourhood that comes with open for business.

I love the new objects especially the shelves as they use up less space than the cupboards.

I also like the new build options like lifts. Whoever thought of lifts was a genius.

However, this expansion pack is definately not for beginners as at some times it can become a little complicated but, all the same, it is a good expansion pack and a must have for any Sims addict.


Best yet!   September 17, 2006
Janet Y (Norwich, UK)
49 out of 50 found this review helpful

I loved this expansion pack. It was the most creative yet, and there were different options for it; you could either set up a business at home, or buy a downtown plot and start there. Personally i prefered the home business as then your sims can rest while their employees work, and it is just a lot easier. It is also nice feeling in control of a business, and feeling the rewards when your business gradually gains stars. There are new items such as tills and shelves which also add to the experience. Your sims can sell anything they want, and they are also able to craft their own toys and flower displays, so there is a personal feel to it. If you like the sims 2 - buy it!