Sims 2 Quirkiness Episode 1

My beloved Sims 2 is arguably the quirkiest game within the series and over a series of episodes here on my blog we will see some of the quirkiest  things that the game has to offer, from quirky lore, odd little titbits to things you can only truly do in the Sims 2.

This first episode will begin with a focus on...

Quirky Gameplay Features

Unusual Deaths and Ghosts

Whilst the first Sims game had deaths, it was in the Sims 2 that varying ghosts and many new deaths appeared. These unusual deaths add an element of unpredictability and dark humour to the Sims 2, making the gameplay experience more varied and fun for us, perhaps even the dark humoured amongst you would make it a mission to collect all the death types and ghosts.

Here is a list of what I feel are some of the weirdest deaths in the Sims 2:

• Death by Flies: If a Sim lets their house become extremely dirty, attracting a large number of flies, the flies can swarm and kill the Sim. The sims needs to work over piles of dirt or plates to make this happen at it's best.
• Death by Satellite: Sims can die from being struck by a falling satellite while stargazing through a telescope or even just lying on the ground looking at the sky, despite how rare this is, the satellite item that is left can fetch a tidy sum of Simoleans.
• Death by Cowplant: The Cowplant is a career reward object available in the game and can lure Sims with a tempting cake-like tongue. If a Sim attempts to eat the "cake," the Cowplant can devour them, drinking the milk after this gives some days of life back.
• Death by Fright: Sims can die from fright if they encounter a ghost, especially if they have a low aspiration score or are in a bad mood. Multiple frights can make this an easy death to occur.

Strange-Town Mysteries

The Sims 2 is rich with lore and mysteries that deepen the gameplay experience and engage players in uncovering the hidden stories within the game's neighbourhoods. They also allow us simmers to build our own lore and ideas about characters, history and future events for our sims. Here are my top five mysteries in The Sims 2 according to the lore in the game:

1. The Disappearance of Bella Goth: Bella Goth was a prominent character from the original The Sims, and mysteriously disappears before the events of The Sims 2. In the Sims 2, she is last seen in Strangetown, a desert neighbourhood known for its odd occurrences and whacky residents. Players are left to (and implored to) speculate about what happened to Bella, with theories ranging from alien abduction to foul play by other Sims.

2. The Caliente Sisters' Scheme?: Dina and Nina Caliente, two sisters with a mysterious past, arrive in Pleasantview the eve of Bella Goth's disappearance. Dina has a romantic interest in Mortimer Goth (Bella's husband), which leads to suspicions about their involvement in Bella's vanishing. The sisters' sudden interest in making relations around town and their relations with Mortimer and Don, as well as their connection to Bella add to the intrigue and lore of their scheme to rid Pleasantview of Bella Goth.

3. The Tragic Tale of Olive Specter: Olive Specter, a resident of Strangetown, has a backyard filled with graves, leading to speculation that she may be involved in the deaths of numerous Sims, perhaps even causing their deaths herself. But to what end? Why would she need to be surrounded by so much death? Her family tree and relationships suggest a dark history, and her son, Nervous Subject, is a test subject for the Beaker family, further adding to the mystery. And who is his father, really?

4. The Curious Experiments of the Beaker Family: The Beaker family in Strangetown, consists of married couple Loki and Circe Beaker and are known for their scientific experiments. They have Nervous Subject, Olive Specter's son, as a test subject. The nature of their experiments and their sinister behavior contribute to the town's overall eerie atmosphere as well as the sinister nature of the Beaker family

5. The Ghosts of the Tricou Family: The Tricou family, found in the Downtown neighborhood added with the Nightlife expansion pack, has a mysterious past. The entire family is deceased, and their graves can be found in the Gothier Green Lawns cemetery. Their mansion is filled with clues about their untimely deaths, and players can piece together their tragic story by interacting with their ghosts and exploring their home.

These mysteries add depth to the game, encouraging Simmers to explore, connect the dots, and uncover the hidden lore woven into the fabric of "The Sims 2" universe.

Weird and Wonderful Aspiration and Career Rewards

In the Sims 2, aspiration rewards and career rewards add a unique and often quirky element to the gameplay, allowing Sims to gain special abilities and items that can significantly affect their lives. Some of these when I play seem like a nice benefit, whilst others can feel extremely 'cheat-y' but can still be fun to use. Here are some of the most interesting and weird aspiration and career rewards in the game:

Aspiration Rewards

Aspiration rewards are special items that Sims can purchase using aspiration points, which they earn by fulfilling their wants and achieving lifetime goals. Here is a couple of the more unusual ones:

Elixir of Life:

• Effect: This green elixir can extend a Sim's life span when consumed. Each use can add extra days to a Sim's life, making it a valuable tool for prolonging the lives of your beloved Sims, even if it does real like cheating...
• Weirdness: It’s essentially a fountain of youth in a bottle, making it a bit of a fantasy element in an otherwise semi-realistic game.

SimVac:

• Effect: This device allows a Sim to drain skills and aspiration points from other Sims, effectively transferring them to the users
• Weirdness: It’s like a vacuum cleaner for skills and happiness, which is quite a peculiar and almost sinister concept.

Thinking Cap:

• Effect: When worn, this cap boosts the rate at which a Sim learns new skills.
• Weirdness: The appearance of the cap, resembling a stereotypical mad scientist's contraption, adds a fun and quirky element.

Smart Milk:

• Effect: Toddlers who drink this glowing milk learn skills much faster than normal. Sometimes depending on how the game is treating you, this smart milk can feel like a real saviour to the family, especially ingle parents or twin toddlers. Note, you can pair this with the 
• Weirdness: The concept of an enhanced learning drink for toddlers is a whimsical addition that feels a bit like something out of a sci-fi show where babies are glowing in space haha!

Career Rewards

Career rewards are special items that Sims earn by reaching certain levels in their careers. These items often provide unique benefits related to the Sim's job which will up skills amongst other thing. Here are some of the more unusual career rewards:

Cowplant:

• Effect: Officially called the Laganaphyllis Simnovorii, this carnivorous plant can lure Sims with a tempting cake-like tongue. If a Sim tries to eat the "cake," the Cowplant will devour them and produce a glass of milk that can extend the life of the Sim who drinks it.
• Weirdness: The Cowplant is both bizarre and morbid, adding a darkly humorous twist to the game.

Resurrect-O-Nomitron:

• Effect: The quality of the resurrection depends on the amount of money a Sim pays the Grim Reaper when using the Resurrect-O-Nomitron. If a small amount of money is paid, the resurrected Sim will return as a zombie. Paying a moderate amount might result in the Sim being resurrected with some negative side effects, such as reduced skills or personality changes. Paying a high amount ensures a successful and complete resurrection without any negative consequences.
• Weirdness: This phone is not only unpredictable if you do not know the values that bring sims back fully, but zombies with their slow shuffling and odd interactions can be fun and extremely weird to play.

Secret Locations

The Sims 2 features several secret lots that players can unlock and explore. These lots often contain unique interactions, items, and experiences that add depth and intrigue to the game. Here are the top 5 secret lots in "The Sims 2," ranked based on how interesting they are:

1. Takemizu Village (Pagoda in the Shadows)

   • Why It’s Interesting: Also part of the Bon Voyage expansion pack, the Pagoda in the Shadows offers a serene and culturally rich experience. It immerses Sims in a Far Eastern atmosphere, complete with traditional architecture and Zen gardens.
   • Unique Features: The Pagoda in the Shadows includes interactions with wise old locals who share ancient wisdom and stories. Sims can learn to teleport by mastering the art of Zen, adding a mystical element to their abilities. The serene, picturesque environment with bamboo forests and koi ponds makes it a visually unique and tranquil destination.

2. Wishing Well (Garden Club Reward)

   • Why It's Interesting: The Wishing Well is a reward for achieving a perfect garden and is not a lot but a unique object placed on your lot. Sims can make various wishes, such as for romance, wealth, or friends, and see these wishes come true in unpredictable ways. The element of chance and the potential for both positive and negative outcomes add a layer of excitement to the use of this object.
   • Unique Features: Diverse wish outcomes, element of chance, and direct impact on your Sims' lives.

3. Secret Society Lot (University)

   • Why It's Interesting: In the University expansion pack, Sims can join a secret society by being invited by members. The secret society lot includes a lavish mansion with exclusive objects and social interactions that are not available elsewhere. The allure of being part of a secret group and the perks that come with it make this lot particularly intriguing.
   • Unique Features: Exclusive social interactions, secret membership, and unique objects.

4. Twikkii Island (Mysterious Hut)

   • Why It’s Interesting: The Mysterious Hut is part of the Bon Voyage expansion pack. It's intriguing because it introduces an element of adventure and mystery to the otherwise routine lives of Sims.
   • Unique Features: This location offers a chance to meet a witch doctor, who can provide unique interactions and rewards. There is also a mini-quest involving fixing broken items in the hut, which can lead to special rewards like voodoo dolls. The island's tropical setting, complete with exotic flora and fauna, adds to its unique appeal.

5. Three Lakes (Hidden Burrow)

   • Why It’s Interesting: Found in the Bon Voyage expansion pack, the Hidden Burrow offers a woodsy, secluded retreat. It's a stark contrast to the urban or suburban environments that Sims usually inhabit.
   • Unique Features: This location is home to Bigfoot, a legendary creature that Sims can befriend and even invite to live with them. The Hidden Burrow is rich in rustic and natural aesthetics, featuring log cabins and forested trails, making it a perfect escape for Sims looking for a break from modern life.

These secret lots add depth and variety to the Sims 2, providing players with unique experiences and rewards that enhance the overall gameplay.

Pet Oddities

Owning pets came with the 'Sims 2: Pets' expansion pack which introduced a variety of quirky and odd behaviours and features that can surprise and amuse players about their furry friends. Here are ten odd things about owning pets or that pets do::

1. Pet Jobs:

   • Oddity: Pets can have careers, including Showbiz, Service, and Security. They can be promoted and earn money for the household. Fortune sims have a tendency to want these for their pets.
   • Why It's Odd: The idea of pets having structured careers and contributing financially is quite whimsical and unrealistic. It is actually a great way to make money as well, and pets are promoted using the commands they learn such as sit and speak.

2. Werewolf Pets:

   • Oddity: Sims can be turned into werewolves by befriending a leader of the pack, a special wolf with glowing yellow eyes. Pets can then interact with werewolf Sims in unique ways.
   • Why It's Odd: The supernatural element of werewolves interacting with regular pets adds a fantastical twist to pet ownership.

3. Pet Ghosts:

   • Oddity: When pets die, their ghosts can haunt the household, just like Sim ghosts. They can interact with living Sims and pets.
   • Why It's Odd: The concept of ghost pets adds a spooky, yet endearing, aspect to the game.

4. Learning Human Commands:

   • Oddity: Pets can be trained to perform a variety of tricks and obey commands, such as "Sit," "Speak," or even "Use the toilet."
   • Why It's Odd: The level of complexity in training pets to perform tricks, especially cats using human toilets, is both amusing and unusual.

5. Running Away:

   • Oddity: Pets can run away from home if their needs are neglected or they are unhappy. They may eventually return on their own or be found through a special search.
   • Why It's Odd: The emotional impact of a pet running away and the effort to get them back adds unexpected drama to the game.

6. Pet Jealousy:

   • Oddity: Pets can become jealous of new pets or even new Sims in the household. They may act out or become aggressive as a result.
   • Why It's Odd: The human-like emotion of jealousy in pets adds a layer of complexity to pet relationships.

7. Obedience Traits:

   • Oddity: Pets have traits that affect their behaviour, such as Pigpen, Doofus, or Finicky. These traits influence how they interact with their environment and owners.
   • Why It's Odd: The anthropomorphic traits give pets distinct personalities that can lead to humorous and unpredictable behaviours.

8. Pet Diaries:

   • Oddity: Sims can write pet diaries (technically just novels, but with the mod that expands novel covers found here and icons you could choose ideas around what their pet gets up to), chronicling their pets' lives and achievements. These diaries can be read and add a storytelling element to pet ownership. With this mod children can write novels.
   • Why It's Odd: The concept of writing detailed diaries about pets' lives adds a quirky and sentimental touch to the game.

9. Pet Romance:

   • Oddity: Pets can form romantic relationships with other pets. They can "Try for Puppies/Kittens" if they have a high relationship level.
   • Why It's Odd: The idea of pet romance and breeding adds a playful and slightly anthropomorphic element to their interactions.

10. Digging Up Treasure:

    • Oddity: Dogs can dig in the yard and using these half dug holes, sims occasionally unearth valuable items like bones, maps, or even rare collectibles.
    • Why It's Odd: The randomness and potential rewards from this behaviour add a fun and unexpected twist to having dogs in the household.

These oddities make owning pets in 'The Sims 2: Pets' a unique and entertaining experience, enhancing the game's charm and replayability.

What quirk things do you love about the Sims 2? I would love to hear about them.

Insert this into your Game and Insert the Sims into your life!

If you would like to contact me, please comment down below, or alternatively send me an email at insertthesims@gmail.com, I would love to hear your feedback.