The Sims 3

With The Sims 3, the series has evolved from a virtual sandbox into a well-thought-out world with three-dimensional characters.

The Sims 3 may not sway non-Sims fans from changing their minds about the series, but there’s more than enough here to please the many legions of fans already out there. This is simply a better playing Sims experience, and once you experience the freedom to hit the town without hitting a load screen you’ll be hard-pressed to go back to any of the earlier games. Blowing up the size of the game was certainly a risk, but it was a sensible and overdue one, and kudos to EA for recognizing that the decade-old formula needed some growth. And while there’s still plenty of room for more innovation, we’ll settle for The Sims 3 for now. It delivers a solid foundation for what should be many more years of Sims sales dominance.

If you’d asked me one month ago to describe The Sims phenomenon, here are a few words and phrases I might have used: dull, repetitive, cash-machine, would-be interior designers, perfect game for people who feel Neighbours might be too dramatic. To be honest, I’ve never really found the time, the inclination or the energy to really get into the first two games, and even when I have played them for a few hours, it has been more out of a sense of obligation than anything else. I never enjoyed nor particularly hated the experience, much as I can’t say I have ever enjoyed or hated watching Countdown or Bargain Hunt. After all, how much toilet training does one man want to get involved with?

It’s amazing that The Sims 3 works so well with a controller and that many of the PC functions are still intact. So if you’re curious about the Sims and don’t own a computer (or a rig that can handle complex games), you should try out the console version. The instant gratification of the Karma powers plus the addictive formula of The Sims 3 is a winning combination, but the game isn’t perfect. With some minor performance problems and the limited world, this title lacks some replayability right out of the gate. However, if it’s a title EA supports with downloadable content like they do with the PC version, Sims 3 could have a promising future. The PC title is still superior, but if you can’t see that version in your future, the console port is worth your time.

It’s amazing that The Sims 3 works so well with a controller and that many of the PC functions are still intact. So if you’re curious about the Sims and don’t own a computer (or a rig that can handle complex games), you should try out the console version. The instant gratification of the Karma powers plus the addictive formula of The Sims 3 is a winning combination, but the game isn’t perfect. With some minor performance problems and the limited world, this title lacks some replayability right out of the gate. However, if it’s a title EA supports with downloadable content like they do with the PC version, Sims 3 could have a promising future. The PC title is still superior, but if you can’t see that version in your future, the console port is worth your time.

The Sims 3 on the DS finally delivers an open-world god-sim experience, but it’s not without some minor frustrations. Karma powers don’t work nearly as well on the handheld as they do on consoles, but if you look at it as a bonus feature rather than an integral piece of the gameplay, it’s not a huge deal. If you’re looking for your Sims fix on the go, the third time is clearly the charm.