The road less travelled...

If you're going to go into expansions then I'd recommend Nightlife (which is too flashy for my computer unfortunately and makes it lag)

I actually had the exact opposite thing. The original game alone or + Uni, most of the town lots and large lots were two slow to bother with, let alone my households of eight or more Sims, especially when they had guests over. Once I added Nightlife, they moved fast and smooth.

I'm going to counter-warn against the hacks. Many add problems that are only evident later. Install same-sex pregnancy and two weeks later your Sims don't get promoted at work properly. Besides, making things too easy strips the fun out of the game...

But then, I love and adore the Uni expansion. Adds a whole new gameplay mode, much like Superstar did for S1, as well s an entire new stage of aging.

As for tips... it all depends on your gameplay mode. I'm only ever interested in reaching the top of the career if that's their lifelong want - mostly I play for the pure soap opera of the thing.

My main tip is make saving up for expensive baths a priority. Seriously. They make life so much easier. And dishwashers. And don't buy beds that are too good, either, or you'll throw their natural rhythms off, which can be a pain when you're trying to get them in a good mood for work. I agree that Family Sims are easier... Romance Sims are most fun. Money Sims are good if you want Sims obsessed with buying curtains, which I find hysterically funny. Popularity Sims are useful if you care about career paths.

Focus on getting cooking skills up at first.... drill drill drill with the bookcases, don't let them watch anything but the cooking channel. The magic milk reward is a boon for toddlers. Kids learn *fast*, don't worry about their grades beyond keeping them passing until they're teens and get them to rack up logic, mechanical, cleaning, creative and cooking points. Toddlers should focus on charisma. And Teen Sims help look after babies and toddlers... as do guests. Ask over some friends if your new Sims are struggling.

It's easier to get through the early stages of friendship by ringing up to chat than in person... ask them over when they're alreadly 50+ and unlikely to reject friendly interactions. Or make some enemies, 'cos it's fun.

*lol* Well, I got the guide for about $7 with the game, so I'm afraid it's a bit late. Thanks, though. *g*

And on your suggestion, I have now made my own family, which was a lot easier than playing some of the others. She's far less demanding (so far)! I'm not touching the kids yet, though. It's hard enough controlling one sim, let alone three or more!

Er, what are 'hacks'?

I got the download upon your suggestion. I don't know about expansions yet, as I'm barely used to the actual game! *lol* However, I did see Nightlife for $20, so it might be a good idea to snap it up now.

Part of the appeal of sims2 is the new ways to kill them. Though when bored I once made Black Books sims. And then was slightly disturbed by the result. Bernard sim, canonically a drunken smoking bastard spent all his time at the bar. He'd roll out of bed and stumble to the bar every morning. And Manny sim got very jealous of Bernard's girl friend, so much so that he rolled the want of "Destroy X's tombstone" which was odd, as she wasn't dead... He spent his time in the bath taking endless bubble baths. This would be all very freaky if you'd ever watched the show.

I guess it is a little, if you think about it.

*lol* Well, I held out for a while...

And character torture is fun! I am going to make up a Pretender set and see what happens. It might be fodder for a new fic. *g*