After numerous expansions and stuff packs, one must wonder why EA Games have decided to release yet another bundle of goodies for 'The Sims 2'.

The truth is an absolute: pure, unadulterated financial gain.

By this I am not implying that other game companies are in it for love — I accept that even the games industry needs to make money — it would just sit a little better if you were paying for something that someone actually put a little effort into, that they cared about and took them longer than three hours to conceptualise, design and market.

Like every stuff pack before it (and there have been about six) 'Kitchen & Bath Interior Design Stuff' is about as exciting as a Sunday afternoon stroll.

Fans of the game will know that the stuff packs are really nothing more than a collection of objects, clothing and hairstyles, offering no additional locations or interactions for your sims. Frankly, you get more from download sites such as www.thesimsresource.com.

What is very disappointing is that since 'The Sims 2' arrived on the scene about three years ago, the series has been pervaded with the sense that EA doesn't actually want to give the public too much for their cash.

Certainly, there were some nice details, some good looking furniture (some ugly ones too), great locations and a couple of very interesting interactions, but overall you felt like you were being short-changed and that if you didn't buy the next expansion or stuff pack you would be missing out on a wackload of very useful objects for your virtual doll house.

'Kitchen & Bath Stuff' is really no different. Items are limited, with about a third of the new stuff comprised out of wall and floor coverings (and there isn't that much to start with).

Certain objects are actually nothing more than different colours on old meshes and that is certainly cheating. You also have a couple of new outfits suited to your Martha Stewart sims and the new hairstyles are not much better.

In all honesty, EA should have made this Stuff pack (and all the others) available as a free download on the 'Sims 2' website, rather than trying to cash in on their own laziness.

So unless you're an obsessive virtual house decorator, 'Kitchen & Bath Stuff' certainly isn't worth your money.