The skinny:
The Sims 2 allows you to exercise a level of control over your digital herd that prison wardens can only dream of. Not only can you direct their careers and romantic lives, but also their innermost dreams. The best part is you get to lord over your minions from the cradle to the grave. Watch as your little Sim grows into adulthood, falls in love, falls out of love but has kids anyway, is driven to take another lover, breaks under the cruel hobnailed boot of virtual reality and finally succumbs to the Grim Reaper. Actually, it's a little less cheery than all of that, but still a hell of a good time.

Tantalizing tidbit:
A movie feature allows you to create short films, right down to the last camera angle, with your Sims as the cast. There are no overarching goals in the game, but that doesn't prevent it from being fun. It's kind of like the video game equivalent of a saltwater fish tank. The only difference is that after you throw a hairdryer into the water to see what happens, you can start all over.

Buy, rent or run away screaming:
If you've got a PC and plenty of spare time, The Sims 2 will suck you in.