The Sims House Party (PC)

By PETER ELEY

The Sims is the soapie of computer games. You don't have to battle supernatural monsters or save the known universe — just make sure your creations shower and go to the toilet.

And if you don't think that sounds like fun, tell the thousands worldwide who have made it one of the biggest online titles.

House Party is the second add-on, and like Livin' It Up, doesn't do anything radical to the core game.

Livin' It Up gave the game more scope through greater social interaction, and House Party lets you, well party, party, party!

And you can throw some wild parties. If you've got enough cash, you hire the gear for a retro Boogie Nights-do complete with disco cages, hire a mechanical bull for a cowboy night, even get huge cakes with scantily clad dancers inside.

And if that's all a bit too risque for your tastes, how about some good clean fun roasting marshmallows and singing songs around a camp fire?

e-mail: peter_eley@nzherald.co.nz