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The Sims 2: FreeTime Expansion Pack (PC DVD) | 
| From: Electronic Arts
Category: Video Games
List Price: £19.99
Buy New: £9.78
You Save: £10.21 (51%)
New (10) from £9.78
Avg. Customer Rating:  15 reviews
Sales Rank: 453
Platform: Windows Xp
Media: Video Game
Operating System: Windows XP
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1.6
Dimensions (in): 7.4 x 5.4 x 0.6
EAN: 5030930061838
ASIN: B00111NFLS
Release Date: February 29, 2008
Shipping: Eligible for Super Saver Shipping
Availability: Usually dispatched within 2 to 4 weeks
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| Editorial Reviews:
Amazon.co.uk
It's all about fun, personal development for your Sims in The Sims 2 FreeTime. Sims can follow their individual interests, whether it's immersing themselves in books, becoming an award-winning foodie, flying a remote-controlled helicopter or playing the violin. Gifted mechanics can repair and then drive their newly-renovated sports cars. Sims can rake in oodles of Simoelons with skilfully crafted pottery or by writing a mesmerising novel. Cool careers bring happiness and fulfilment to your Sims and your storytelling opportunities expand. New cool career options await, including oceanography, architecture, and entertainment. Now by honing their talents, your Sims can unlock a secondary aspiration making them even more unique.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 10 more reviews...
 Fun, except for the spam November 24, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
After migrating from The Sims to The Sims 2, it was inevitable that the expansion packs would follow shortly after. I just couldn't resist. The Sims 2: FreeTime was one of the first expansions I opted to buy, as I considered it to be the best value amongst those available.
In a nutshell: FreeTime gives your Sims 10 types of hobby to pursue: music, art, dance, mechanics etc, etc. Spending time developing your Sim's enthusiasm in a particular hobby area can lead to such rewards as being invited to visit secret locations and take part in contests. You may also be given special items (reward plaques and the sort) for spending long enough pursuing a particular hobby.
One of the most notable additions that this expansion pack adds to the gameplay experience is the ability to have 3 other Sims (as long as they are not part of your family/household) grow up with your Sim when they reach a birthday. This is pretty useful, as it prevents that childhood crush that your Sim had his/her first kiss with remaining a teen, whilst your Sim is an elder.
The major, major downside of this game is the spam. Simply put, once you install this package your Sims will be flooded with it. You'll get constant pop-up messages everytime your Sim tries out a new hobby, not to mention the phonecalls. Hobby club enthusiasts will call you day and night (even at 5am!) to invite you to tell you that they've noticed you have an interest in X subject. It's okay at the start, but if, like me, you have a household of four sims --- that's 10 possible hobbies you can pursue with 4 sims, which equals a potential 40 phonecalls. And they seem to KEEP phoning you, again and again and again. It's utterly irritating.
In short, if there was no fix available for this issue, then I would urge buyers to think twice about getting this pack. Unless you don't mind having your Sims running to the phone every five minutes (usually more often!) it's a total nuisance. However, there is an (unofficial) fix available for this pack, which I installed yesterday. And it is very, very effective (not a single nuisance phonecall!).
With the fix installed, Freetime is a very enjoyable, worthy addition to the Sims 2 collection. Without it, I'm not too sure I'd feel as positively about it. I'd have to think about getting rid of my Sim's phone or something in order to be able to enjoy the game.
Wonderful to play despite SecuRom October 9, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
I put of buying this game because of the DRM issues these games have after the Seasons Expansion.
I gave in however and bought it and then spent three days backing up my computer incase anything did go wrong. (I highly recommend backing up your system in any case). Do your research into the issues caused by SecuRom and be informed when taking such risks so you can take preventative measures or be ready incase of a system re install.
I love the new features. You have new items that add interest in hobbies, theres a dance bar, violin and you can even fix up your own car, hunt for bugs etc. It makes it easier to be abducted by aliens and to get pregnant with twins assuming your sim has the necessary interest in those aspirations.
I love this pack better than the rest (though I do not have Bon Voyage or Apartment Life) But even so I think this is two thumbs up and Im glad I bought it!
Be warned though, the minumum specs are really not enough if you have many of the expansions and stuff packs. You can still play, but game play will be slow. Have at least 2-3GB of RAM and lots of Hard Drive space and a good processor and compatible graphics card! Also go to EA Sims 2 page and download the patches to fix the glitches!
Have Fun!
 Freetime great for My Busy Simmies!! July 8, 2008
3 out of 3 found this review helpful
Even though my sims people in my game have extremely busy lives I wanted this pack oh so much, not just because I have all the Sims games anyways but cos of all the fun things my simmies can do, so at the weekends they do all their fun and family types things. But with this packs diversity you can also use it in a different way for exanple a soccer mom, could watch her kids play soccer, like they do at school events, and if you have Open for Business you can have a clothes shop where the clothes are made on the sewing machine then sold, also pottery shop, a garage (home business) to do up scrap cars and sell them on to buyers. I love this game so very much and play it very often if you are a sims fan i am sure you will love it too, taking into consideration the other packs do make this a more enjoyable pack on its own people may find it not as good, but as i said though I love it!!
Happy Simming
 not very interesting July 7, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
I am a massive sims fan and have all the expansion packs, this one compared to others such as University, or bon voyage is not really that interesting. with all the other expansion packs there have been loads of things to do to keep you hooked, this one however bored me after only a couple of plays with it. this is because apart from a few extra hobbies and career paths theres not much else to it, no big adventure or whole other area to visit (as in bon voyage, nightlife, uni etc) I'm keeping my fingers crossed that the next one 'apartment life' is better!
Not my favourite of the Sims 2 expansion packs March 19, 2008
33 out of 33 found this review helpful
I own and love every single Sims 2 game but I don't feel that this makes as big a difference as some of the others, such as University for example.
Your Sims are now able to pursue a variety of interests. Such as tinkering, and art and dance. To keep a Sim interested in a talent they have to keep working at it.
Once the Sim has gained enough interest in a certain area, for example, cuisine. They will first have the option of researching this hobby on the internet and in newspapers and also talking about it with other Sims. They will then be called and asked if they wish to subscribe to a magazine. You can of course say no to this and then subscribe at a later date.
Once the Sim has gained enough expertise in their area they will be given a membership card which allows them to visit a secret club. If they are interested in cuisine, they will be invited to Sue's Secret kitchen where they can enter food contests in hops of winning a cash prize.
Every Sim has a natural ability, but it may take a while to find out what this is. But once you find it that Sim will let you know how much they are enjoying the activity.
As the Sim gains enthusiasm in a hobby they gain rewards. If someone is interested in nature for example they will soon have the option to go hiking.
There are also more jobs available. Like choreographer and comedian.
All in all another good Sims game.
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