When I ordered this, I was expecting a small, slim little guide with a few tips and strategies. I mean, how much could there be to a computer game? So as you can imagine, I was surprised when I pulled out a thick, 366 page book that broke down everything you could ever need to know (and more) about The Sims 2 into sections, explaining and describing everything, in detail, from Sim genetics, pre-made neighborhoods and the pre-made families that inhabit them, NPCs, Sim memories, Sim death, building a house... okay, I'm confusing myself (and probably you). Here is the complete chapter/section list:

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Part One: The Basics
-Chapter One: Getting To Know The Sims 2
-Chapter Two: Getting Started

Part Two: Creating Families, Neighborhoods, And Sims
-Chapter Three: Welcome To The Neighborhood
-Chapter Four: Create-A-Sim And Genetics
-Chapter Five: Simology

Part Three: It's A Lot Like Life
-Chapter Six: The Six Ages Of Sims: Playing The Generation Game
-Chapter Seven: Needs
-Chapter Eight: Aspirations, Wants, And Fears
-Chapter Nine: Skills
-Chapter Ten: Careers And School
-Chapter Eleven: Social Interactions
-Chapter Twelve: Family Life
-Chapter Thirteen: NPCs
-Chapter Fourteen: Community Lots
-Chapter Fifteen: Objects
-Chapter Sixteen: Disasters, Disease, And Death

Part Four: All In The Family: Sims In Action
-Chapter Seventeen: The Ex-Machina Family Blog

Part Five:
-Chapter Eighteen: Build Mode
-Chapter Nineteen: Story Mode And Moviemaking
-Chapter Twenty: Sim Autonomy
-Chapter Twenty-One: The Sims 2 Body Shop
-Chapter Twenty-Two: Custom Content
-Chapter Twenty-Three: Appendix A: Cheats

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So, yes... if you play The Sims 2 at all, get this book. Even if you're just a casual player. I assure you, your Sim gaming experience will be much better. The only regret I have is not having this book around when I first started playing TS2.

If you don't get this book you won't fully understand all the featues of the sims 2. Everything you need to know is there.