The original
The Sims game became something of a phenomenon that was able to pull in
devoted PC gamers as well as hundreds of PC users who never thought they would
play anything besides their pre-installed Window’s Solitaire. When The Sims 2
came along, it added more goodies that it was, once again, hard to want to
put this game down. So can the same be said about the franchise’s third outing?
Let’s just say that people at home think I’m stuck to my seat permanently.
The new
game of life
You see,
The Sims 3 is bigger and better and darn if it isn’t still the same
brilliant concept that made us love it in the first place but things in the
world of The Sims is definitely not the same either. For starters, you
aren’t forced to stay within the confines your Sims’ neighborhood or – thanks to
the many expansion packs – a single area such as a university dorm or a
nightclub. In this third game, you have an entire town to explore with various
areas to drop in and socialize.
Starting
with the Create A Sim feature, we can see right away that there are a number of
new options at your disposal that can be used to create a number of Sims that
don’t end up looking alike. While the creation options aren’t too elaborate, you
can still create a Sim that resembles you and the clothing options can now be
tweaked to the point that you can come up with your own color schemes and
patterns. Thanks to the new EA Download Manager you can install off the disc,
you will be able to download even more hair and clothing options later but it
will cost you real dollars.
The town
itself – called Sunset Valley – can be changed as well, demolishing existing
homes and building your own to the point of changing the landscape a little.
Besides residential neighborhoods, the town includes a number of interesting
locales that range from a library to a café to interact with other Sims. If you
want to drop into a neighbor’s house you can even if said neighbor lives on the
other side of town. You can walk, drive or even bike your way to various places
such as the park or the beach.
The ability
to travel to other places not only allows you to break away from being trapped
in a house or one specific area but it is also used to interact with other Sims
as well as meet your Sims’ life goals. Your Sims have different personalities
you can pick in the creation feature so you can make a Sim an irresistible
ladies man or you can even make your Sim a creative genius. Depending on a
personality, your Sim develops certain skills by performing different tasks. For
example, if you have an artistic Sim you may want to have your Sim paint
pictures until one work really develops into a real work of art and turning your
Sim into a bona fide artist. If your Sim is having trouble developing skills
they can always take classes.
Who are
you?
Your
personality can also turn your budding Kleptomaniac into a famous cat burglar.
If your Sim is well liked by many Sims then your Sim can even become leader of
the free world. Meeting your life goals isn’t easy but you have all the time
since the gameplay can be altered so your Sim can age slowly (or, thanks to a
cheat, not at all) and you are no longer forced to lead your Sim to the bathroom
every few seconds. In fact, many of the minor annoyances of past The Sims
games are no longer an annoying issue. Even the load times have been
considerable cut down so you don’t have to stare at a load screen every time you
leave your house. You seamlessly move from place to place quite easily.
Sim
interaction has also changed in the game thanks to the new personality traits.
Your Sim can sweet-talk another like-minded Sim to, say, leave his wife and
start a new family with her. If your Sim is expecting a baby, the pregnant Sim
will go through some changes that include morning sickness and a healthy
appetite. If your Sim is interested in money, then you can have your Sim grow
vegetables and sell them for cash.
Like past
games, though, you can lead your Sim down a path of destruction as well as
death. You can still have your Sim die in a fire as well as grow old and die an
elderly person who will even become a ghost that will haunt a house. You can
change the gameplay so you can have complete control over every aspect of your
Sims’ lives so it is possible to change the town of Sunset Valley. Once again,
you can even save key moments in your characters’ lives and put them in order to
create a movie you can share with others online.
How green
is your Sunset Valley?
Visually
speaking, The Sims 3 looks a tad better than The Sims 2 and this
is even more evident if your PC or Mac has a good video card. The backgrounds
are wonderfully detailed and the characters, while still looking just as good as
the second game, can be tweaked enough to look unique. They even have some new
animations while retaining their familiar ones as well. As far as the sound is
concerned, the game features a better mix of music that also includes Latin. The
Sim Speak is back but you can now change the pitch and tone of each Sim. While
the sound effects are minimal, they do the trick nicely enough.
The
Collector’s Edition of The Sims 3 is the perfect package for the truly
devoted fans of the franchise. While much of what is packaged along with the
game doesn’t add new content – with the exception of a free download for a cool
European-styled sports car – you do get $10 worth of SimPoints you can use to
purchase new content for the game. The best collectible is the 2GB USB hard
drive with a case shaped in the familiar shape of a plumbob and you even get a
matching carabiner. Oh, there’s also a mini Prima guide with some tips. It’s
worth the extra price tag but only if you’re a big fan, otherwise you’re better
buying the standard edition.
The Sims
3 is the type of
game that will keep you glued to your monitor until you suddenly realize that
several hours have passed. It’s the kind of addictive joy that will make you
realize that you have the power to do what you want to the world you help
create. In other words, The Sims 3 is a real Must Buy for any fan of the
series or any gamer looking for a PC title that’s way too much fun to want to
stop playing.
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Gameplay: 9.0
The minute your
created Sim takes a stroll off his or her block to visit a neighbor or head to
the local bookstore you know you’re playing a bigger and better The Sims
game. You have the power to turn a kind soul into a child-hating cat burglar or
make that mean jerk into a charming movie star everyone loves. You have the
freedom to create your own personalized world despite just a few weaknesses.
Graphics: 8.5
The game looks
great if you’re using a good video card and you’ll really enjoy the impressive
details of the living community all around you. These Sims are a tad more
detailed this time around and there’s smoother animation as well.
Sound:
8.5
The music
diversity is better than in The Sims 2, which is a good thing,
considering the funny Sim-speak is back.
Difficulty: Medium
Your Sims now
have more meaningful aspirations and meeting them isn’t easy but not impossible
either. Since you are no longer confined to a certain area in the neighborhood,
the tasks take longer to complete.
Concept: 9.5
Bigger in scope
and with enough freedom to explore a whole town filled with plenty of places to
visit including stores and your place of work. Your Sims have goals to meet and
you’re not just stuck sending them to the bathroom every few minutes. There are
more interaction with the world around your Sims and more creation options this
time around.
The
Collector’s Edition offers an exclusive sports car you can download put also a
brief Prima Tips & Hints Guide. Fans will definitely love the 2GB USB Drive that
shaped like the familiar emerald green diamond that floats above a Sim’s head
plus a carabiner. You also get stickers!
Overall: 9.0
Take the best
elements of past The Sims games and add more improvements and you get an
idea of how amazing The Sims 3 is and why fans will be playing it for a
very long time. With more options and the freedom to go well beyond your little
bubble, this is – by far – The Sims game fans have been waiting to play.
