The Sims 2 Body Shop

The Sims 2 hit store shelves in 2004. This game featured fun and frisky simulated people that could be manipulated through a web of real-world activities, such as to the bathroom, making a bed and gazing at stars through a telescope. The sequel to the bestselling PC game of all time only got wilder, and many people continue to celebrate The Sims 2 as a game that has more options and better graphics than the original version.

The Body Shop is included as a bundle in Rhe Sims 2 and doesn't run simultaneously with the software. This version of Body Shop runs by itself. You're able to customize and create characters with limited options and then import these Body Shop created Sims into the game itself.

Some gamers have stated that this is an extremely limited version of Body Shop, to the extent that some don't even bother downloading it. It comes across as a free Body Shop creator when in reality it's masking what is really a free trial. You get just a glimpse of the full version but not enough to make this a worthwhile download if you're actually looking for a free Body Shop application for your Sims 2 characters. Publishers frequently employ this tactic to grab the attention of gamers so that they'll buy the full version, but it often turns away gamers who feel like they've been tricked into downloading an extension that masked its true price.

What you get with this edition of Body Shop is a lot of customization features that are already in The Sims 2 game. You don't need the Body Shop to customize facial features and clothing. There are a few extras but not enough to make this worth a serious download. Many customers who have downloaded this free application have resented the fact that they're downloading features they already have, and then they are asked to download a full version that costs money.

Pros

• Offers some unique customization options
• Free to play

Cons

• Profoundly limited customization features
• More of a free trial without explicitly telling customers

Final Verdict

The Sims 2: Body Shop is a free application, and that will be enough for some gamers to justify giving it a go. It's easy to uninstall, so if you're hungry for any little new feature on a Sims 2 character, then you'll get a few options with this Body Shop. However, if you're expecting a full character creator with a lot of new options, look elsewhere.