The Sims 2 greatly expanded on the original with deeper character customization and the Aspiration system that guides each character's desires and fears, depending on which aspiration (e.g. romance, family, wealth, knowledge, etc.) you choose for them. The Aspiration system is great in that it gives you more interesting goals for when you get bored of tediously grinding through skill points, short-term friendships and promotions. However, sometimes you just don't want to do what the goals advise, which, over time, causes your character to become a pathetic, morbidly depressed bum. Still a much better game than the first.