We’re divided on The Sims 3. We partly see the dollhouse-style people simulator as a fun way to vicariously experience parts of life that are far removed from our everyday monotony--and monogamy. On this level, The Sims excels. You can become a master thief, buy a mansion, or wreck marriages without any real-world consequences.
But part of The Sims actually re-creates the monotony of life, and it’s even more boring in this fantasy world. Why waste time washing dishes, rushing to work, and paying bills in a game? In a twisted brilliance, these tasks reminded us that our Sims’ time is fleeting. We actually looked forward to the in-game weekends in order to relax with in-game friends. But couldn’t players make better use of real-life time than performing in-game chores?
The Sims 3 has an amazing scope of activities. You first create Sims (virtual people), guiding one or several through their lives. You can customize each with a unique appearance and clothing and pick several personality traits from dozens of options. As you earn money from the various careers--doctor, astronaut, chef, and more--you can outfit and remodel the Sims’ home. Hundreds of objects are available, including many paid and free online add-ons.
No paramour can resist the pink zebra-print dress...
When they weren’t at work, our Sims saw movies, learned how to play instruments, threw parties on the beach, ordered pizza, and much more. Hundreds of these kinds of interactions lead to constant discoveries and surprises.
Relationships play a huge role. Our Sims made friends and enemies and went on dates. While the characters speak in gibberish, you’ll click general subjects, such as “Tell a joke.” Icons that float over other Sims’ heads and the tones of their voices explain the results, such as laughter or offense. Dozens of these dialogue options gave us a great sense of control.
All of these choices let you play The Sims nearly any way you want. Get married, have kids, and grow old with a traditional family. Make lots of money and buy fancy toys. Win hundreds of friends and throw legendary parties.
Extensive, creative extras add even more play. You can design clothing or manually remodel a house. In-game movie-capture tools even let you create video stories.
Because you can otherwise play however you want, though, the in-game chores annoyed us. The characters are somewhat autonomous, and they’ll sometimes choose to pick up after themselves. But watch a Sim sit reading quietly for real-world minutes, and you’ll wonder: Do you play The Sims or do the Sims play you?
Overwhelming level of choice lets you play nearly however you want. Living world of neighbors and events to discover. Fun animations and sound convey emotion. ESRB rating: Teen.
Some monotonous chores can't be skipped. You lose control of your Sims while they're working. Occasional, minor bugs.
