I have been an absolute fanatic of “The Sims” series since it debuted in 2000. Maxis took a leap of faith when they attempted to create a “life” simulation game, and it was a great success. In nine years, EA has pushed the franchise harder than any other I can imagine. The series has been on PC, PlayStation 2, Wii, DS and now the “Sims 3” is on the iPhone and iPod Touch.
The most important thing to know about the “Sims 3” is that it’s all about what you do with your character. Forget spending the day going to the bathroom, taking showers, and sleeping because they have become easy to manage. Players only have to manage energy, hygiene, hunger, bladder, social, and fun. Watching TV will fill your sim’s fun for a couple of days, while socializing at work makes maintaining social easier. Sim’s will only use the bathroom once a day, and players can even “serve dinner,” put it in the refrigerator and then have instant meals until they spoil or have been eaten.
Progression is a little different in “Sims 3,” but in a good way. Sims can still climb their way to the top in a 10 promotion tree, but this time they have to depend on one skill. Sims no longer need a certain number of friends, but they do have to get along with co-workers. The several options that sims can do at work are business as usual, working hard, taking it easy, sucking up to the boss or socializing with co-workers.
In addition, sims go on one “quest” at their job or for their skill that makes them go to a location, complete a task, and return to work. For example, my sim is a “master cook” and other sims would call at random for a batch of cookies. I cooked the cookies, put them in my inventory, delievered them and received the cash reward. In this sense, it feels more like an RPG and less like a simulation.
Master cook is one of many traits that can be assigned to sims. Traits range from being a technophobe, the fear of technology, to being a kleptomaniac, which makes sims steal at random. My sim is a kleptomaniac and I have been satisfied with the results, a free treadmill from the gym. Five traits can be picked for adult sims, while children will have traits assigned to them if they are neglected, but you can pick them as well. Remember traits can be negative. I met a sim with the “no sense of humor” trait and the relationship did not last long.
The first thing to notice in “Sims 3” is that the world is a living, breathing environment with busy people. The entire world is an “instance” where events happen in real time. “Sims 3” goes out of its way to make sure sims are social, so walking to the park and meeting with a friend to hang out occurs with no load time. Beware, not all Sims will not get along and members of the opposite sex might not find your sim attractive. I was “good friends” with a sim for a long time and even had a child with her, but she refused to be my sim’s girlfriend. Apparently he’s pathetic.
The amount of customization is endless. “Patterns” can be created and placed on shirts, drapes or anything else imagined. Each Sims is different, and players can download others’ creations on the Sims Exchange. While the amount of in-game items are currently limited, EA will probably release expansions to change that. EA is already offering some priced items to download from their online store.
“Sims 3” is by far the best in the series. That said, some of the same performance issues since the series’ debuted still remain. The immense customization options and more realistic situations will still leave players in shock and awe. “Sims 3” is an amazing must have for anyone.
Rating: A
System: PC, Mac, iPhone/iPod Touch
Price: $59.99/$9.99
ESRB: T for Teen
Pub: Electronic Arts
Dev: Maxis
Players: 1
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