Insimenator.org

I only have Sims2.  I want to choose an Expansion Package.  In your opinion, what should I go for?  This site offers so much that I feel I really don't need other options, but I have been thinking about adding more.  Which expansion package offers the best?  When I google the question, I always come up with this site.  I know this offers more, but they just don't offer the expansion packages for some reason?!:angel:

I'd say pick either Nightlife or Seasons.  (or both, as they're both the best EPs as of yet IMHO)  Nightlife gives you the ability to drive cars, having "Downtown" sub-neighborhoods that your sims can live in, and a good amount of items and clothing... plus, if you're into downloading custom content or want to download more cars, custom vehicles will only work if you have this EP.  

Seasons gives you weather, gardening, fishing, ability to save leftover foods, new objects and clothing... I could go on, but I think you get the picture.  ;)

Both EPs offer more fun stuff for the Sims themselves, so I'd say if you go with either or both, you're making a pretty good choice.  :angel:

(BV is excluded because of EA's stupidity in adding SecuRom... and the fact that I don't have, nor plan on buying, this EP.)

I, too, have only the base game and am wondering which EP to buy-I have the chance (thanks, company!) to buy a game for a discount and I think someone ought to get a survey up to see what other owners think...but I agree that BV from what I've read, is an unmitigated disaster.

I agree with the above. Seasons or Nightlife. I do like OFB, but it gets boring pretty fast. The other two stay interesting for longer. :)

Go for Nightlife!

i'd say go for free time when it comes out. it sounds much better than all the other games, and has almost everything we've hoped for - at least it seems like it.

I think I'll get NL-I think vampires are cool. Cars are cool. All the social thingies are even better; I have a batch of teens coming of age and they need to get out and party some!
As for Free Time, who is to say that Eaxis is not going to put Securom in that pack as well? I'll wait and see what the first real reviews are-not the advertising that is preceding it.
I'm proceeding very slowly in expanding my game, only if to preserve my computer and the fun of the game.

My suggestion would be to research each ep and find out what it gives your game, and then decide what you want most.

Nightlife-Gives your sims cars and the ability to travel around without calling for a cab
University-your sims get an extra life stage, young adult, if they go to college
Open for Business-your sims can purchase and run various businesses.
Pets-pretty self explanatory, you get pets.
Seasons-your game gets differentiating seasons and weather.
Vacation-you can take your sims on vacations and get a new travel interaction. You can now walk to lots.

For me, if I had to narrow down my game to only two eps, I would pick Nightlife and Seasons, as the ability to drive and having different seasons and weather is what, for me, makes the game so much better.

Now...ask me this again after Free Time comes out lol.

Ok, I do have another question: If I get NL, that only expands the game to have what NL has for cheats, careers, etc-right? I can't change the lots (as with Uni) or whatever, right? It's just NL's expansion cheats.
Does it matter if I don't get Uni, for gameplay, but perhaps just Seasons, afterwards if I want that down the road?
In short, can you just install whatever packs (in order of course) without installing all of them? Of course that limits me to just downloads only for NL, and not for anything else..which is restrictive, but not totally onerous, I hope.

I answered my own question, by reading various guides on NL-and I can change lots, and a few other things. I did order it and am happily awaiting delivery. Oh, I'm just a big kid! I can't wait!

Only one I don't really need is OFB. I agree with Tenshii Nightlife or Seasons. I have no desire for my Sims to own a business, but got it anyway for all the goodies. I almost got to see what freetime was like way ahead of time. I was playing a game and all of a sudden, EA download manager popped up and said preparing to download. I said NO! I haven't removed my downloads. But they must of caught it 'cause then it stopped pfft. Dang it! lol Bad enough I get antsy when they download it a day or two before then it sits on preparing to install till the day it's released. I'd be crazy if I had to wait 21 days. Ok crazier. lol

I agree with everyone.  I have NL but I have not purchased Seasons.  To be honest from what I've heard about other expansion packs and the consolde games of the Sims2, EA it seems EA or Maxis rather are interested in making money than putting quality in their games.  In NL I use the cheats and the insim for NL and let me tell you my sims have a BALL! Talk about parties, weddings, get togethers not to mention one of my sims love life is a real soap opera, lol.  In my humble opinion from what I've read on insim and other places I think I would be happy with NL and Seasons, after all, your sims would be able to drive, go downtown not to mention enjoy the seasons like in real life.  I'm in agreeance with PegasusDiana, I too have not desire for my sims have a businesses.  I would love to purchase Seasons EP but here is the problem, I can not find the cheats for Seaons anywhere on the MS2, Insim, anywhere, *crying*.  If any of my fellow simmers, out of the kindness of your heart *sniff* know where I can find cheats for Seasons I would be SO GRATEFUL! :) Many, many thanks.

Well, there is only one new cheat that comes with Seasons, for as far as I know. I don't know the exact cheat anymore, but the only thing it does is making your fireflies give light forever, instead of dying after a while.

But I do agree with everyone else, Nightlife and Seasons are my favorite EP's so far. I'm really looking forward to Free Time though, sounds like it'll be great.
And, my sims will finally get to play basketball again! :D

The only new cheat I know for seasons and I think it's the only new one for Season's is:
bugJarTimeDecay [on/off] - Using this code once bugs are captures in a jar will make them live forever when set to off

Here you go here is a list of cheats divided by EP. Doesn't look like there are any new ones for BV:
http://www.snootysims.com/cheatsindex.php?id=cheats

I got NL this past weekend (just before my two days off..) and have been having a ball with it. I've moved all of one community into the downtown section, and they're starting to act out. Even if my game is a little slow (gotta get more memory.) it was worth the money and time. Even my base game CC works in it. I love it! Now, I have to go find some vampires to hang out with.
Mortimer Goth now has a Mercedes Benz, which he thoroughly approves of.

I actually find that the least interesting aspect of the Uni EP!!! Better than that are the musical instruments, the new career rewards (plastic surgery tool - what a godsend! no more messing my ugly sims about in simpe and bodyshop!), the extra objects, and sims can finally chat while sitting on the floor! yAy

BTW maryH, with NL, there's a 'bug' in there, even with the patch - my Pleasure sims would get the want: play prank on another sim. However the ability to play pranks was never actually available... until I installed Uni :roll: Just so you know :)

I've not encountered the "pranking" want, yet...I guess my sims are too lazy to do anything silly. Most of them are dedicated sofa loungers, for sure! I haven't made any pleasure sims, either. I wonder what that kind of personality is like...hmmm...gotta go make a new sim..and a couple of vampires, as well.
I don't know if I'll get Uni, though. My game is slowed down a bit (as noted before) and I'm just getting into all the features it now has-I love the idea of joining familes-saves time to move people from house to house.

I had sims who wanted to slow dance when I got Family Fun. Which they couldn't, as the interaction came with NL..
But yeah, if you have InSIM you can reroll wants anyways, so bugs like that shouldn't be a reason to not choose a certain EP. :)