The Sims 3...Maybe a step too far? (The Sims 3 (PC))

Member Name: amazinglo

Product:	The Sims 3 (PC)
Date:	22/08/09 (14 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Seamless neighbourhood; create a style tool; career challenges.

Disadvantages: Timeline

As a big Sims fan, I couldn't wait for the release of this game. But beware, it's not an updated version of the Sims 2, I'd go as far to say it's a different type of game completely. Yep, the concept is the same, but the new seamless neighbourhood creates a very different type of game play. If you're a bit of a control freak like me, you'll find the new changes thwarting at first. Yep, you might be able to match your Sims shoes to their jacket, but while you're away from your sims, they're in control of their own lives: they might gain 3 stone, they might get married or they might move away completely.

The biggest drawback, I think, is the new timescale. You can't fast-forward in the same way you can in Sims 1 and 2. I presume this is to encourage you to interact with the rest of your neighbourhood, but if you're like me and you like focussing on one family at a time, it means very drawn out game play, you'll literally be waiting days for your sim to reach that promotion and in the mean time you're left to watch your sim carry out mundane tasks like laying their bed and washing their hands.

That said, when you become used to the changes, there are a load of great new features which you'll love. The create a style feature lets you customise your sims homes, while the personality traits tool lets you create individual sims with their own likes and dislikes: their reaction to what goes on around them is no longer arbitrary and the friendships they pursue are based on common interests and understandings. The biggest improvement, I think, are the careers available to your sims, and the new 'challenge' feature, which puts your sims on the fast track to promotion.

Overall, despite taking time to get used to, Sims 3 is a great game, complex and well thought out. Although some fans of The Sims and The Sims 2 may find it a step too far, and prefer to stick with the original format. What I'd suggest is rent (or borrow) before you buy.

Summary: Not so much a sequel, but a type of new game. It'll take some avid Sims fans time to get used to.