*****

Glamour Life is a 'stuff' pack that consists of a number of new objects and outfits themed on the super rich.
All stuff packs are far smaller than actual Expansion Packs and contain much less content; however, they do fill a niche that is left out in the actual expansions.
These packs are quite expensive so it is all down to consumer choice; whether or not the niche that is being filled is important to you or not.

Like my other stuff pack reviews, I will explain the 'facts' surrounding the pack first and then follow up with my personal opinion.



-The Facts-


-Specs

The stuff pack requires at the very least:

OS: Windows Vista, XP, Me, 2000, or 98

Installed: The Sims 2 for Windows

CPU: 1.0 GHz or faster

RAM: 256 MB or more

Disc Drive: 8x or faster CD/DVD drive

Hard Drive: At least 350 MB of free space

Sound: DirectX 9.0 compatible

Video: DirectX 9.0 compatible
Video card must have 32 MB or more memory and one of these T&L capable chipsets:

ATI Radeon 8500 or greater;
NVIDIA GeForce2 GTS or greater


-The Order

Although not necessary, all eps and stuff packs should be installed in the order of the date they are released. This is because each pack contains a patch for the previous game.


-Buying & Building

Glamour Life provides objects themed around the super-expensive styles that sims veterans may remember from 'The Sims: Superstar'. The pack includes items that are both decorative and functional featuring new bedroom, dining room, and living room sets.
Pictures of all of these items can be found on thesims2.com.


-Clothing

The clothing provided in Glamour Life is equally aimed towards the 'rich' theme. The clothing in this expansion pack is largely formal wear, great for classy dinner parties or balls. Pictures of all of these items can be found on thesims2.com




-My Opinion-


-Specs

As mentioned in my H&M review, the specs listed on the box can be deceiving. Meeting the minimum specs alone will not allow for decent gameplay, if at all. In my experience, the sims 2 requires a computer that is as powerful as possible. It is common Sims 2 community knowledge to take the specs they give you and multiply them to provide the 'real' minimum specs. Below is a more accurate estimation of the specifications you will need:

OS: Windows Vista, XP, Me, 2000, or 98

Installed: The Sims 2 for Windows

CPU: 2.0 GHz or faster

RAM: 1 GB or more

Disc Drive: 8x or faster CD/DVD drive

Hard Drive: At least 1.5GB of free space

Sound: DirectX 9.0 compatible

Video: DirectX 9.0 compatible
Video card must have 32 MB or more memory and one of these T&L capable chipsets:

ATI Radeon 8500 or greater;
NVIDIA GeForce2 GTS or greater;



-The Website

When considering buying a stuff pack, the Sims2.com website proves especially useful. It provides individual pictures of most items contained within the pack so it can help you decide whether or not the stuff pack will meet your tastes or requirements.


-The Order

Personally, I insist that my games are all installed in the order that they were released. This ensures that the patches are linear and should help to avoid bug problems. While this isn't entirely necessary, I would advise doing the same if possible.


-Buying & Building

Personally, I love to build mansions and - as I use no money cheats - I like to reward my sims with the best possible items available if they finally strike it rich. I would, however, like to have seen more items in the theme as not all rooms are provided for. The items that are there, however, I use frequently and I am very happy with them.


-Clothing

A lot of the new clothing is very beautiful; especially the new dresses for females. Unfortunately, many of these outfits are classed as 'formal wear' which requires your sims to specifically change into them; this means that your sims can't wear these outfits on a daily basis.
Also, all of the clothing items cost the same as every other clothing item in the game, so arguably there is something wrong when your sims can buy a fur coat for the same price as a t-shirt and jeans.


-Conclusion = So is it fun?

As mentioned earlier in the review, the purposes of stuff packs is to fill a niche and their worth depends entirely on how interested a player is with the contents of the pack.
Like all stuff packs, I felt myself wanting more items and clothing than were provided; however, I was able to find the pack relatively cheap (5.65 from ASDA with free delivery); I doubt that I would have been impressed had I paid the full 9.99 recommended retail.