The Sims: Unleashed

2026-01-16
Ah yes the introduction of the perennial worst expansion in every Sims entry's repertoire: PETS. In a game where you're already stroking out trying to keep your sims alive, nevermind progressing in their careers, what if we added more micromanagement? Only this time the object of your clicking produces no income, no value–it only consumes. Pets, freeloading scum as they are, at least provide some palliative benefits in real life through their cuteness, love, and soft, soft fur. Here they merely serve as a receptacle for some more clicks such as "Play With..." and "Shoo". Yes, if you needed any further evidence that pets are basically an annoyance added to the game, one of the handful of interactions given to each pet is "Shoo", a command to tell them to get the fuck out. I'm glad my sister bankrolled our collection of expansions back in the day because if I wasted $40 on this shitty blue box I would have seen red and torn it apart like a cat in heat.

But you know what? It's redeemed somewhat by the New Orleans vibes. Especially the soundtrack where Marc Russo cooked, infusing some of that Bourbon Street flavor into the already legendary tunes of the OG Sims.

2025-01-05
IMO the worst expansion. It adds pets aka another thing with meters to micromanage. Only pets don't have the depth or breadth of interactions you get from full fledged Sims. And they can't make money, free-loading scum. No thanks.

Ok the New Orleans flavor to it is fantastic and it absolutely has some standout music. That's the one concession I'll make to a pretty anemic expansion.