The Sims: Vacation

 PC
Metascore
75

Generally favorable reviews - based on 18 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 11 out of 18
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 18
  3. Negative: 0 out of 18
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  1. GameZone
    95
    I know...that is as near perfect as you can get but that is the way I see The Sims and the new expansion, The Sims: Vacation! I have all the expansions. I play the game several times a week for an hour or two...or three! As a consenting adult well above the age level determined proper for this game, I enjoy every aspect of the game.
  2. Armchair Empire
    87
    One facet worth mentioning is that although I was using the same exact machine as I had for the previous Sims games, I actually had a crisper performance on my system compared to when "Hot Date" had last been played.
  3. Gamers' Temple
    84
    If you are a Sims fan, you'll more than likely enjoy the new places Vacation provides to let your sims loose to enjoy themselves.
  5. Game Over Online
    81
    While there's no new technical advancement and no significantly new discoveries with The Sims, the social aspect of this game remains, de facto, at the top of all gaming genres.
  6. GameSpy
    80
    Plenty of new objects provide enough variety to make it worth the price, but the lack of effort on Maxis' part to fix the problems in the game is disappointing.
  7. GameSpot
    80
    If you play and enjoy "The Sims," you'll play and enjoy Vacation--and you'll just enjoy it more if you happen to have "Hot Date" and "House Party."
  8. Computer Gaming World
    80
    It's not my favorite expansion - that would be "Hot Date" - but it adds enough of a twist to justify spending another 30 bucks. [July 2002, p.80]
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  9. Game Informer
    80
    Like I've said all along; if things went a bit slower the game would be much more engrossing. [June 2002, p.85]
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  10. Total Video Games
    80
    Whilst the other games offered smaller updates to the main game, On Holiday brings in an entirely new location with a whole stack of new features and objects you can interact with.
  11. IGN
    80
    It only does what "Hot Date" did and no more -- there's no quantum step forward in terms of interaction or exploration...still a must for any serious Sims fan.
  12. Games Radar
    76
    Unlike previous expansions it doesn't pack any real innovations. Looks like we'll have to wait for The Sims Online for that. [GamesMaster]
  13. PC Gamer
    72
    For Sims owners, Vacation is one of the better add-ons (along with "Hot Date"). [June 2002, p.76]
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  14. Yahoo!
    70
    In terms of other improvements, On Holiday really doesn't seem to have made any thrilling leaps or advancements...Overall, a great expansion.
  15. Gaming Age
    67
    It’s not a must-have ticket...[but] there’s enough new to keep fans interested.
  16. G4 TV
    60
    Players are going to love the slew of new interpersonal interactions available to their Sims as much as they love the new objects.
  17. Maxim Online
    60
    Most of the game consists of endless management, such as babysitting your kids, managing your dough, and constantly mailing postcards to your friends so they don’t resent your ignoring them.
  18. All Game Guide
    60
    It's likely that fans of the series will find The Sims: Vacation more of a luxury than a necessity.
  19. Game Revolution
    50
    Not a great expansion...basically extra building space and a few more objects.

Awards & Rankings

73
#73 Best PC Game of 2002
79
#79 Most Discussed PC Game of 2002

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
7.8

Generally favorable reviews- based on 33 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 20 out of 33
  2. Mixed: 10 out of 33
  3. Negative: 3 out of 33
  1. TonyY.
    Feb 29, 2004
    6
    The Sims Vacation is finally here and there's only one word that comes to my mind: Disappointing. As the title says,you're sims can The Sims Vacation is finally here and there's only one word that comes to my mind: Disappointing. As the title says,you're sims can now go on a vacation.It cost 500 bucks to go.While you're at vacation,there's hardly nothing for you to do.You can build a snowman,a sandcastle,and cruz around with a metal detector and maybe even find something while you're at it.You can also buy prizes using tickets.Playing various activities give me tickets to buy something you really want.After that,vacation is far too linear.There is nothing to do after you have done those stuff.There are once again in Sims Tradition:lots of objects and this expansion pack is no exception but nothing to really original.Most of the objects are exclusively found in vacation island and the objects aren't really good either.All of their main purpose is to have fun so there's almost no variety in object choices.It's just really a rip-off of other objects but with a different look. Sims vacation isn't the worst expansion pack to date(Unleashed maybe?) but it's not the best expansion pack ever either.(Hot Date and Livin Large holds the cake for best expansion packs in the sims world) Its just a real shame the people at Maxis didn't really give a huge leap over the sims universe with this add-on.In fact,this isn't even a step.Hot Date was way more innovative and better,Vacation is really just an add-on made for cashing in money.Shame on you Maxis!… Full Review »
  2. MafiaGuy
    Nov 3, 2003
    7
    Does not really seem as if the Sims are on a vacation - more like they are moving house...that's all.
  3. Sungirl
    May 11, 2003
    10
    It rules! But The Sims: Superstar is probably gonna be better ^_^
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