Sims talk: Free Time

[strangetomato]

I've been pretty excited about this expansion pack since I first heard it mentioned as a possibility. I'm sure that you've noticed that I fully enjoy the leisure activities already available in the game, and these things are especially great for storytelling. More hobbies means more possibilities for creating unique character details.

These are the things that I'm really looking forward to:

- The sewing machine! 
- More things to cook.
- The messy art supplies on the desk.
- An actual object where toddlers can interact.
- Some really nice clothing - sweater vest and cardigans.
- Don't Wake the Llama game.

Have you watched the teaser video on the TheSims2.com? There is a little Grunt brothers cameo appearance in it, about 3/4 of the way through. Well, not really, but there are three guys working on a car together, and they have the same hairstyles (in the same colours) that the Grunts do (well, the "Buck" has the hair that I put on him, but close enough). You can see it here.

The new arts and craft objects really excite me the most. My Buck Grunt really NEEDS a sewing machine, and you can bet your ass that he'll be getting one as soon as it's possible. He'll be sewing up some mighty fine curtains. The sports thing, while less exciting to me as a person, will make it possible for Johnny to be into sports a little more than just "in theory". And maybe we'll see him coaxing his less athletic friends into playing with him, despite their protests.

It's kind of funny that I'm already planning how I'll use this EP, since I haven't even installed Bon Voyage yet, even though I do own it. Why am I so reluctant about it? I just have a bad vibe from that EP. Is it just me? I do really want to have some of the details, but maybe not others. I want to get those massage tables really badly, and the sauna (sauna woohoo - awww, yeah!), but I don't want vacation obsession to infect the game, and I'll miss the honeymoon limo. Destination weddings, on the other hand, would be nice. I'll have a few weddings coming up (not exactly soon, but still). Why am I such a wuss about BV? I'll be eating up Free Time as soon as it hits the shelves.

How do you feel about Free Time? Do you have (or plan to get) Bon Voyage?

Comments

[saunasims.livejournal.com]

I've got BV and I've only found one SecuRom issue myself: it lags at startup. On the other hand, once it actually gets going and loading it's faster than it was before, so I think in the end for me it's about the same. Both SimPE and Insim are updated for it, by the way, as is Inteen. Afaik the Maxis patch takes care of the endless respawning of Tour Guides etc that they had before, too. I recommend Bon Voyage. I don't recommend it highly-above-all-others like I do with Seasons and Nightlife, but I think it's a solid EP that's got an undeservedly bad rep. I'd say it's neck to neck with OFB. Especially if you get the player-made fixes that makes the bellhop and housecleaner act like they should rather than like they were lobotomized. ;)
The massage tables are made of awesome. Since I'm mostly playing the Legacy challenge right now I've been focusing on the extra-energy boost that the acupuncture provides, but the others are all very cute. And I got a thingie from SimWardrobe that can have me run a business offering massages if I want to! :D
Finally, I am so getting Free Time. Violin playing! I hope there're more instruments to be found along with that. But. Violins! <3 I'm also going to get that very last stuff pack that's rumored, the Kitchen and Bath stuff one? The name cracks me up. It's like Maxis ran out of ideas, sort of like calling Pets Pets.

[saunasims.livejournal.com]

Oh, and re: new life form, I'm hoping for a mummy or a Frankenstein's monster. That'd both fit with the crafting (sort of) and it'd complete the classic monster line up they've got.
I suspect we'll see fairies/a fairy, though. As I recall back when they were doing their big poll, that was the most popular choice.

[strange-tomato.livejournal.com]

Oooh! A mummy or Frankenstein's monster might be cool. I also like the idea of fairies, if done right.

[katsuko]

...dude. I'm already spastic over having a vampire sim for the first time. If there's an option to get a mummy, Frankenstein's monster, or fairy into the family, you bet I'll kidnap scam con convince one to shack up with one of my sims.

[saunasims.livejournal.com]

Ramen to that. :D I've not yet finished my dastardly plans to breed Bigfoot, but. Half-monster babies ftw!

[strange-tomato.livejournal.com]

I didn't think it was possible to breed Bigfoot?

[saunasims.livejournal.com]

I suspect it's not possible to get Bigfoot pregnant, but I'd be very surprised if it's not possible to knock someone else up with Bigfoot spawn via the Tombstone of Death and Life. Hmm..

I shall go investigate this now and report back with my findings!

[strange-tomato.livejournal.com]

My game has lagged at startup for a while now. It just pauses for several minutes at the title screen. There are no issues once in the game. Now I wonder if this started back when I installed H&M stuff? Hmmm...

I wasn't even thinking about the fact that the massage tables gave benefits! That's very cool. I'd want them for the animation alone.

Kitchen and Bath stuff? That can't be confirmed, right? It sounds like a rumour to me. I would be very curious to see how they could possibly find enough stuff on that theme to make a whole EP, though I do enjoy both kitchens and baths, and my head is already concocting a list of things I would love to see - like tea in the kitchen (the Far East tea ceremony thing is nice, but my English heritage is crying out for a nice big pot of tea on the counter). Tea is the solution to every problem.

I just wish that they'd add more social interactions to the game, regardless of the theme of the EP. That's what I REALLY want. Could we possibly get a new type of kiss or something? Or maybe a new hug? "Leap into arms" isn't even really a hug, so there are really only three there.

[saunasims.livejournal.com]

Well, it's on snootysims.com which is usually very reliable. I've only seen them be wrong/misled once-twice (can't even remember the specifics), and he's basing it on the title apparently having been leaked in the pre-order section of a lot of online game stores.
I can actually think of about enough stuff to fill up a stuff pack. :D Decor, buffets, appliances, more toilets and tubs, more hot tubs, more stuff for the swimming pool? I don't know if they'll go beyond that and add actual new interactions etc. That'd break their previous theme of only having 'stuff' in the stuff packs and saving the big things for the EPs, but then again this IS the last one for Sims 2. Maybe they'll end with a bang. Here's to hoping!
It's funny that you mention tea. I spent most of my own (coffee) breakfast fantasizing about having a fully functional complete tea service for my Sims. Like you said, the ceremonial set is nice, but it's not really something that every Sim home can have. I assume you've seen that tea icon that came out when London got attacked? I love it: http://www.livejournal.com/userpic/32023179/1088707

[strange-tomato.livejournal.com]

Oh, I'm an idiot! I thought you meant EP, not SP! Heheh. Yeah. I rule at reading, aparently. Yes, I can definitely think of enough things to fill a stuff pack, and I think it's a good theme. I really expected them to get around to doing a baby-themed SP, since it seems like a popular idea. I'm not too worried about it, myself, since babies aren't that exciting to me (not enough to warrant a whole SP to themselves). The bath/kitchen thing sounds better. Cool new fridges and bathtubs (with feet!) would be great. I use a lot of Holy Simoly stuff right now to fill that void.

I hadn't actually seen that tea icon! That's awesome (Go, London!), and it is basically my life philosophy. Tea eases the pain. I love coffee too, but tea just has something extra. I'm drinking a giant mug of it right now.