Considering how much micromanagement Sims normally need, the thought of having them stranded Robinson Crusoe-style on a tropical island with nothing but a penknife and a roll of toilet paper could have been a recipe for disaster. After all, if they normally moan about the quality of the wallpaper or how comfortable their sofa is, what would they be like if they have to sleep on the sand and eat berries?
Thankfully, while you have to create everything from scratch (collecting resources and food from your environment), Sims 2 Castaway has streamlined the menu systems to context sensitive options. You also have direct control over your Sims and are able to explore your new island home one area at a time, making Castaway feel more like an adventure game than any Sims game before it.