Hot Date definitely adds some extra depth to the original game. The relationship system is awesome. If your sim isn't too happy one day and destroys all your hardwork with his "best friend" before you can boot the guy out of there, they still could be friends due to the longterm relationship bar! The new items also provide a well overdue addition from the regular game. Instead of trying to put those pesky lamps in places your sim won't trip over on his way to the john, hang a ceiling fan!
As far as Downtown goes, I appreciated the though...but I don't think it was up to par for the creators. Instead of using their new expansion to not only create a new place to go, but also keep things at the same level as the expansion made the neighborhood, they seemed to have left the Downtown area back where the original Sims left off...
+MORE STUFF!!!
+longterm relationship bar!
- Downtown area left behind