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Good Gameplay - Even Better Additions Overall... The Sims 2 University has recieved a lot of positive hype - for adding a new dimension of gameplay to the Sims 2. It has also received some negative feedback - people questioning its necessity to the game, or complaining about how rushed it was in its release (The Sims 2 was launched a mere 6 months earlier). All in all, there is a new dimension of gameplay - that's for sure. You can now choose to make your teenage sims 'grow up' into a young adult life stage, which only takes place if they decide to go to college. You can then place your sims on one of three Maxis-built campuses, or build your own - but where they live isn't all that important as moving to a new campus is easy as pie. From there your young adult sim goes through 8 semesters of college, with one class a day related to their major (11 in total which require you to build different skills depending on the subject). Each semester is 72 sim hours long - and there is plenty to do in that time, from writing papers, to throwing parties, to joining sororities/frat houses, to falling in love, to streaking, to working at a local coffee/alcohol bar. At the end of it all there are 4 new career paths, available only to those who graduate from college - natural science, show biz, artist, and paranormal. To answer the complaint side of it all - yes, there is a question of necessity for the Sims 2 - University, but after all, it is an expansion pack...and it does expand the game and waht you can do with it. After all, my favourite features of the new expansion pack haven't so much been the college experience (thus far) but little nuances like the following. There are a number of new instruments added to this expansion pack - drums, bass, and a guitar. Your sims can now 'perform' jazz, country, or rock music for tips, and even play together - synchronized - in a band format! While we're speaking of music, the two new music channels - jazz and college rock, give us some of the best sim music ever produced. The college rock station features actual artists who have re-recorded their songs in simlish for your sim's listening enjoyment. The aspiration aspect of the game takes on a new level - as new aspiration slots open up as you pass through college, and the new 'influence' bar allows you to control other sims. Not only that, but there is a lifetime aspiration. If completed (and most can only be completed in old age trust me) your sim will achieve platinum mood status for the rest o ftheir lifetime. Overall, the Sims 2 - University is a decent expansion pack. I've had very few bugs or errors, although I've heard of a few (but not many). There are longer load times, especially when visiting University community lots, and yes, I think Maxis could've expanded the hairstyles/clothing more for young adults, but you can't expect them to get everything right. If you liked the sims 2 and are looking for a new level of gameplay, then try it out. If you are satisfied with the Sims 2 the way it is, then don't worry about it for now.