I absolutely love the Sims games. Have had every game, every expansion and spent hours downloading additional content to the point that my computer has slowed to a crawl! So, obviously, I was quite excited by the release of the Sims 3.
First of all, game requirements. This looked a little scary for me because I recently traded my desktop for a laptop, and worried that it wouldn't be able to cope. I met the minimum requirements, but there wasn't much breathing space. From past experience I know that you have to turn off the shadows, and reduce the detail/texture to improve performance on slower machines, and I expected this game to be a total drain on resources. However, I was pleasantly surprised, and even with Vista as my OS, the game runs smoothly and without jumps or pauses in the action. So, don't be too afraid of this game as far as the requirements go... be afraid when the expansion packs come out! lol
After the nice intro
scene, you get to choose your neighbourhood. It comes with one already installed, but you can download another for free from the EA Sims 3 website when you register your game. Now you have to choose/create your family.
I absolutely loved the new create a sim interface. Familiar enough to dive straight into, but the Create a Style option means that rather than being stuck with the standard hair tones and eye colours, you can customise them, putting in highlights or weird eye colours. The same applies for the skin tone, ranging from palest pink to darkest blue. I also like how you can alter the muscle and fat content of your sim, making them stick thin, or "festively plump".
The clothing is almost fully customizable too. You can change the pattern, the colour, the colour of the pattern! A few tweaks and you can turn a nice Sunday suit into a Goth outfit to be proud of.
Another new addition is "Traits". Rather than having the old "Simology" where you choose if they're a Capricorn etc and adjusted their neatness and all, you actually get to give them traits. You can be kind and make someone a genius athlete, or you can make them evil and insane, it's up to you. It's still fun, whatever you decide.
Into the neighbourhood we go. The houses are pretty much the same, a few differences here and there, but nothing major. The items are fairly standard, but Create a Style applies to them too, so you can have a bright orange treadmill if you want... why not? The neighbourhood itself is lterally seamless. Walk over and visit your neighbours, go for a jog, go fishing... it's literally a case of anywhere goes. You'll still spend a lot of time at home, but the freedom to just go for a wander without waiting 10 minutes for a different neighbourhood to load is great.
Most of the other gameplay is very similar to it's predecessors. Die hard sim fans will probably notice the differences more, but certainly not in a disappointed way, the improvements are definitely in the games favour. If you're completely new to the Sims series (where have you been hiding?), you'll soon pick it up, but expect a few Sim casualties while you master juggling the basics. It's not a difficult game as such, but it does take a bit of practice and patience.
The sound is a bit marmitey... love it or loathe it. I actually quite like the Simlish jabber, but sometimes it does get a bit too repetetive and I have to mute the sound.
There will be people saying that certain things are limited, that there isn't enough careers, or hairstyles/whatever, but remember people, this is the Sims we are playing. Since when did the original game ever have that much other than the basics? Play it for a few hours, and you'll soon notice where EA are holding back. A bit more choice here, a few more skills there. It's all coming, but EA have become masters of making fans wait for the expansions.
It's definitely a fun game, and addictive too... I've been playing it almost non-stop since I got it 4 days ago. There's enough for it to be familiar, but enough of a change to draw you away from the Sims 2. I'd definitely recommend it, but for it to get an "Excellent" rating, it's got to have the expansions on there. That's when this game is really going to come to life.
How helpful would this review be to a person making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
The game that first opened up the world of video games to a wider audience is back, going ... more
beyond being just a virtual dollhouse to a complete interactive neighbourhood. The basic concept is still the same though, as you create your own computerised ...
Postage & Packaging: free Super Saver Delivery Availability: Usually dispatched within 24 hours...
The game that first opened up the world of video games to a wider audience is back, going ... more
beyond being just a virtual dollhouse to a complete interactive neighbourhood. The basic concept is still the same though, as you create your own computerised ...
Postage & Packaging: £1.94 Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
The freedom of The Sims 3 will inspire you with endless creative possibilities and amuse ... more
you with unexpected moments of surprise and mischief! Create millions of unique Sims and control their lives. Customize their appearances and personalities. Build ...
Advantages: Still very addicting, and a great seamless neighbourhood. Goodbye loading screens! Disadvantages: Still quite 'basic' whilst we wait for all those inevitable expansion packs.
GemmaC25 28.08.2009 ·
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful
Review of The Sims 3 (PC)
Advantages: Still very addicting, and a great seamless neighbourhood. Goodbye loading screens! Disadvantages: Still quite 'basic' whilst we wait for all those inevitable expansion packs.
GemmaC25 28.08.2009 ·
Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful
Review of The Sims 3 (PC)
exceptional by (13%):
very helpful by (88%):
