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.

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.