Sim when you're winning

The Sims is one of those rare franchises that attracts both male and female gamers in vast numbers. The appeal of controlling the day-to-day life of your own little person is well established, with the series achieving record-breaking sales. So what can The Sims 3 bring to the party to keep the flag flying? How about if you could not only explore your neighbourhood seamlessly, but you could interact with the whole town and everyone in it? Sounds good? Read on my friend.

In the beginning...

The Sims 3 starts off as you'd expect. You choose where you'd like to live and who you'd like to be. But what's new here is the mind-boggling level of customisation available to you. If you liked the wide choice of characters in The Sims, you'll love this.

You can select and tweak your character's age, gender, skin, body shape, make-up, clothes and accessories. Then move on to the really fun bit - personality. The Sims 3 lets you choose up to five complex traits from the dozens on offer, including insane, evil, daredevil and kleptomaniac, and add even further depth to your character with a lifetime goal. You might aim to become Emperor of Evil, if you're so inclined.

Fans of the series won't be able to suppress an appreciative smile and maybe even a raised eyebrow when it comes to setting up your character's home. The choice of furniture and clutter in The Sims 3 is vast and it's all fully customisable so you can co-ordinate everything to match your car or even your shoes. And now you have the option of 360¡ object placement, as well as Wall Drag, which automatically repositions your objects should you decide to move a wall to give your character a little more space.

Reality check

Now you're all set up it's time to face the real world and choose a job from the wide selection on offer. But hold on, the world in The Sims 3 really is, well, real. You can seamlessly roam around the town (without waiting for new houses to load) and watch the townspeople getting on with their lives. Everyone's life story remains consistent throughout gameplay and the townspeople all act and react according to their psychological profile. Talk to anyone. Upset them if you like.

In the Sims 3, your character's mood is no longer on a simplistic sliding scale. As the characters experience life events, big or small, they pick up 'Moodlets', which affect their mood and personality in a complex range of ways and for varying lengths of time. Fulfil a minor wish and your character will be elated. Wet your pants in public and little Marvin won't be able to face seeing anyone for quite some time.

Home movies

If you're one of the tens of thousands of gamers who've made movies using sequences from your Sim character's life and then posted it on YouTube, you'll be able to put the Movie Mashup feature in The Sims 3 to good use. Fancy recreating scenes from your favourite films using your character, or making a Sims movie of your own? The Sims 3 has it's own software built in to help you film and edit your movie and then add music and effects. Then share it with your mates.

GAME's Verdict

• Long-term gaming appeal.
• A wacky sense of humour.
• Hugely customisable.
• Complex and deep characters and emotions.

• Addictive.
• The babble of Simlish - you either love it or you hate it.

Review by: Simon 'Sim1' Kirrane
Version Tested: PC
Review Published: 29.05.09