User Review : The Sims 3

Sims 3, the most successful selling PC game series of all time and here's why!

Since the first game broke onto the scene in January 2000, the Sims franchise has sold over a hundred million copies worldwide, and quickly become the most successful selling PC game series of all time, including the Sims 2 and countless expansion packs. Now, the waiting is over as EA brings us the latest chapter in this epic story: The bigger and better Sims 3.

I must admit that I was a bit skeptical about this one. As the release date approached, promises were made and pressure was put on EA to perform, especially given the success of The Sims 2 and the massive fan base it had created. But within a week of creating my first Sim I have not been able to put this one down. EA have truly outdone themselves this time.

So my first steps to Simhood had begun. The hours ticked away as I creating my Sims, changing everything from muscle definition to eyelash length, highlights to lowlights, even down their likes and dislikes, their goals and aspirations, and then set them free upon the world.

The creative possibilities are truly endless. The process can suck you in and form quite a strong bond between you and your Sim, especially when that Sim ends up looking like you.

The Sims themselves are not a giant leap from their predecessors, but they do carry with them rounder and softer facial features. They still jabber on in the famous Sims language ‘Simlish’, and have all the the trade mark humor we have come to love.

I think the best way to describe my experience in the Sim land of Sunset Valley is to elaborate on my Sims life.

This is the story of Sim-Ian.

Ian, after choosing to buy an un-furnished, three bedroom villa on the beach front, moved in with nothing but the clothes on his back, a keen interest in the arts and an incredible resemblance to yours truly. Unfortunately his criminal tendencies got the better of him, and soon after he started furnishing the villa himself with stolen property.

Then one fateful full-mooned night, between stealing the neighbor’s toaster and quietly cackling to himself, he met the love of his life. Her name was Adri, with hazelnut eyes that glistened in the night sky, long flowing dark hair that seemed to dance in the wind and, to top it all off, a love for sushi. That night was the turning point, as Ian new it was time to give up his life of crime and settle down.

The romance bloomed, 2.5 kids were had, and this little Sims life seemed all but perfect… all but for one last job.

That is pretty much where I left off and brings up one of the best points about the game; there is no story line but the one you create. From a career for your Sim to follow to who they fall in love with, it’s all in your hands.

It is clear to see that EA have spent time creating the perfect symmetry for all these changes to coincide so seamlessly. The biggest of these changes and by far the most welcomed from the previous games, is the immediate lack of those long, irritating loading screens that we have all come to reluctantly accept.

It’s the way EA has structured Sims 3, simulating a whole town at once rather than a single house. Not only does this increase the scale of the game but also allow you the freedom to go anywhere without interruptions.

I have sent my Sims fishing, shopping, to the gym, and even to occasional protest rally. A free-roaming environment also means multiple Sim relationships, to make friends, or (in my case) enemies.

However, as we all know with the good comes the bad, and while the downside is not nearly enough to raise any complaints, it must be noted.

After checking the local paper I landed my Sim his first job in a medical career. I was all excited and made sure he was up and prepped at 7am to start his first day. But my excitement was short lived, as I really didn’t have much to do with it. He woke up, called a taxi, got a lift to the hospital just to disappear inside the building and for me to sit back and wait until he got home.

There are ways around this of course; you could choose a career that works from home or not have a job at all. But it would have been nice to see him at the daily grind and maybe even have a part to play in his success or failure.

For the old fans, you might be disappointed with the Interactivity between the Sims. A ‘passionate kiss’ just doesn’t seem so passionate anymore and sometimes I got the feeling that having one Sim in a house makes no difference than having three.

But the biggest disappointment is the continuing problems with stability and performance. Yes the game does move seamlessly from house to house but not without a high end performance system to prevent any lagging at higher resolutions. This becomes apparent when you are faced with a whole street corner of Sims all going about their own business.

So my advice, check the system requirements on the back of the box before taking this one home.

To wrap it all up, thankfully the cons don’t even come close to outweighing the pros. With so many new features, immaculate attention detail and seamless game play, it has certainly left this reviewer hard-pressed to find any fault at all.

EA should be proud; they have truly come forward with everything they said they would and left critics and fans alike speechless by releasing the best Sims game ever.

Ian Felmore