What happens when you have live your whole life in a house and you are allowed out now? (The Sims 3 (PC))

Member Name: evetortoise

Product:	The Sims 3 (PC)
Date:	15/08/09 (42 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: More community lots, more interaction

Disadvantages: can't see my sim at work

The Sims 3 was long awaited because the Sims can finally leave their home. Previously in the earlier versions, their lives were restricted to their home unless you buy the expansion pack, now, the possibilities have increased!

The graphics are wonderful as usual and the Sims are still using their own special language to talk.

The advantages:
- Less time was needed to socialise. Previously, I would be really frustrated because it was so hard to meet their needs. Now, when they go to work, they get enough socialisation too. While the Comfort need has been removed, bad furniture does make their mood go down just that it is not explicitly stated as in the past.
- Life goals: as per the Sims 2, life goals are there except there is an increase in the amount of life goals you can have. What I like about the Sims 3 is that there are helpful things you can buy with these points like one where I get free meal in the restaurants permanently.
- Customisation is allowed. You can pick more personalities, change the colour and prints of their clothes, give them furniture in rainbow colours and prints. It is possible to get furniture that match in colour even though not in style. This does allow me to fulfil my interior decorator dreams that I can't have in real life.
- Collecting, fishing and gardening. This has to be one of the features that I identify with the most. The Sims can pick up seeds, rocks, catch insects and fish. Fishes can be sold or eaten (although I do find it really weird that they use goldfish in fish and chips). Insects are usually sold. I have not found out what to do with the rocks. The seeds can be planted for food and sold. This does reduces the food cost and increase the additional income that the Sim can have on the side.
- Being able to leave the house increases the possibility of more interaction with other Sims without calling them to your house, more activities, and even the choices for what you can cook as you can buy recipe books and ingredients.
- Opportunities: this segment is new where the chance will come up for the Sim to join a community event or work event. It also leads to the chance for further income.

Disadvantages:
- What I didn't like was that I couldn't see my Sim at work. I can only see my Sim when she is outdoor, or when she is in the gym. For things like the grocery store, what comes up is the choices that she can make (selected from a list) so she doesn't really browse around in the store.
- Cannot run more than one family at a time. Previously in the Sims 2, I had one family, which can be used to make friends with another family, thus increasing the number of friends that they have. My family could play the Sims together because there are multiple families that can be set up and meet each other. Now, it is more of a single player game where they cannot meet each other even if they are in the same time since each file is saved separately.
- Time seem to be slower than previously. It does become irritating when I have a whole series of job lined up for the Sim and I fast forward it only to realise that they are still very slow.

I do enjoy playing the Sims 3 and this is one game where I am still exploring what I can do especially since I can customise many things. It is a simulation of real life in some ways and it still amazed me how much human life can be generated by a computer game. I would say BUY IT! although it can be really time consuming once you are addicted.

Summary: I do enjoy playing the Sims 3 and this is one game where I am still exploring what I can do especial