Parents' Guide to

The Sims 2 (PSP)

By Aaron Lazenby, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 13+

Bad behavior, long loads -- patient teens only.

Game PSP 2005
The Sims 2 (PSP) Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this game.

Community Reviews

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age 12+

Based on 4 parent reviews

SuperStarzSingerz
SuperStarzSingerz Parent of 17-year-old
August 29, 2013
age 13+

Great Game!

I am a big fan of the Sims (PC and PSP version) my parents got this when I was 15. sure it has some flirting and kissing scenes BUT it's nothing like the PC version. This version you go along with the story. of course you can always disobey the story and find out secrets from your friends. This story actually has a problem that problem is that Dr. Dominon is trying to ruin sim lives and it's up to you to stop it.

This title has:

Great messages
parentcare999
parentcare999 Adult
July 1, 2011
age 17+

What Parents Should Know About Sims 2

I think that sims 2 psp is a violent but agreeable for kids above 17. It is not agreeable for kids under 16.

This title has:

Educational value
Too much drinking/drugs/smoking
See all 4 parent reviews

What’s It About?

THE SIMS 2 FOR PSP strands you in Strangetown, a desert city populated with ghosts, aliens, psychics, and mad scientists. When your car (and the auto shop it was in) suddenly disappears, you're forced to wander Strangetown's five neighborhoods in search of secrets and clues about what's really going on in this curious city -- and then get back on the road. Players customize their avatar, designing his or her face, hair, clothing, and aspirations before setting them loose to interact with Strangetown's bizarre residents. This version of The Sims 2 changes the social game: You build your relationship with other Sims -- and increase your influence over them -- by quickly matching an icon with one that represents your counterpart's conversation, maybe even getting them to share a secret.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (4 ):
Kids say (8 ):

What the portable Sims trades in freedom (there are no jobs or families, no ability to write your own back story or let your Sim wander on its own) it makes up for in story. Strangetown is built on an amalgam of paranormal myths and feels like a lighthearted X-Files. Settings and graphics are nice enough, and the sound does an excellent job of setting the mood -- something along the lines of a campy 1950s B-movie.

The Sims 2 loads game features on an ongoing basis -- players spend as much time waiting for something to happen as they do playing. On top of that, success in the social game -- and in various Mini games -- comes down to well-timed button pushing. When the game hangs for several seconds as data loads, timing gets thrown off, Mini games are lost, and frustration ensues.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about how a successful franchise is leveraged from one system to another. Is the success of The Sims 2 on the PC being used to motivate fans to buy a PSP? Families can also analyze the social tools at their disposal and discuss situations when chatting, flirting, and intimidation come into play. Do people use these tactics in real life to get what they want from others?

Game Details

  • Platform: PSP
  • Available online?: Available online
  • Publisher: Electronic Arts
  • Release date: November 16, 2005
  • Genre: Simulation
  • ESRB rating: T for Crude Humor, Sexual Themes, Violence
  • Last updated: November 4, 2015

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