After changing the face of PC gaming in the late 1990's, by giving the player total control of someone else's life – albeit artificial – The Sims and its various add-ons and spin-offs have gone from strength to strength, even as far as spawning pale imitations from other developers and publishers. But The Sims is the best. Everyone knows that, no matter how much 'adult' content and nudity you manage to squeeze into a game (hello Singles).

With The Sims 2, the control is still totally yours, but this time around you are in charge for the whole duration of your Sims' lives. Genetics has a large part to play for the first time, as DNA is passed down from one generation to the next

Creating a Sim is pretty much the same deal as before, but with so many more options on offer this time: the selection of faces, hairstyles (or lack of) and outfits is mind-bogglingly large, so take your time in creating the perfect – or otherwise – being.

Once you're satisfied, you can begin the game proper. The Sims 2 allows players to choose from five different aspirations for their characters: Popularity, Knowledge, Fortune, Family and Romance. Having chosen one of these five, you are unwittingly leading your creation(s) to either true contentment or absolute disaster, and more than likely stopping off at all points inbetween. Whatever your Sims needs, worries or other foibles, you can guarantee that, like real life, the ride will not be an easy one all of the time.

A lot of fun can be had, however, if you make the most of your time as a Sim. An interesting addition to The Sims 2 is the movies section, in which you can set up your own scenes, cast your own actors, and zoom in for the most important action. And you can do this in the house of your dreams...or nightmares! Whether you choose to live in a compact and bijou house with not a stick of furniture out of place, or you plump for a student dump with posters and pizza cartons as main features, your environment and experiences will shape your characters as they progress through life. Whether you choose to ruin it for everyone or make it a breeze for them is entirely up to you. Almost everything is possible in The Sims 2, and that's what makes it an essential purchase for fans of the series.