The game is basically the same as the previous 2 versions before their respective expansion packs, and will probably continue along those lines as its own expansion packs are released. Meaning the game is pretty much there for die hard Sims fans and those interested in the new features of a whole neighbourhood together as one. This isn’t the game if there will ever be one to turn Sim haters into Sim players.
The game idea as a whole still works well enough to be enjoyable. The different modes (eg, live, build and buy) work in easy to understand ways like the previous versions, with slight changes to the layout and introducing a few new things. Create-A-Sim has improved again with more advanced skin tone, facial and body features, clothing and hair options, and in the most changed section the personality of the sims.
However Sims 3 does fail in some aspects of the game in comparison to previous Sims games. Placing houses and community lots has become limited again like in Sims 1, but the view of the neighbourhood is moveable such as shown in Sims 2. The absence of the environment and comfort needs which were present in the previous games can be worrying when you first start playing, but their absence is replaced in the updated mood panel which has along with the mood bar what is currently in the sims mind.
As I was someone who disliked having to choose a personality type for my sims when they grew old enough in Sims 2 the traits they have in Sims 3 is a good replacement, especially as there a random button so you don’t have to go through them all and pick them out. The choice of 5 lifetime wishes coming from each of those traits then means you won’t have a lifetime wish your playstyle doesn’t allow to happen.
All other changes fit well into the scheme of things; most notable is the change from per day into per hour in a sims salary, which is defiantly a good thing to happen. Accessing the entire neighbourhood is also great for those with slow computers who took about 5 minutes at each loading screen in Sims 2. Everyone aging at once is a feature I thought may be a good idea as with large families you might end up with the youngest child reach elderhood first due to enjoying playing his new family more than the family of the oldest child. The problem with the whole town is that you end up only playing the one family and leaving any members that move out to fend for themselves without ever going and playing with them as you don’t want to lose any progress you’re gaining on getting that promotion the sim needs to complete their lifetime wish.
Sound: 7/10; the background music changes depending on location and fits in well, the game also uses plenty of foreground sounds, by looking directly at an object (screen view wise) if it’s on and is something that makes noise it will be there, though sometimes it gets slightly loud. When at buildings like the school you will hear sounds that would like place in that location – the school has children learning, bells ringing and teachers teaching.
Graphics: 8/10; Buildings and objects sometimes get in the way of where you are looking, but other than small problems like that there isn’t much wrong with the graphics except sometimes taking a while to get their colours placed on them, on computers with poor graphics cards. – Well I don’t know if it’s like that on all computers, but I think it’s just ones that have graphics cards which aren’t quite up to scratch.
Gameplay: 9/10; Playing God is still fun after 10 years of originally being able to do so in Sims 1, as of yet I’ve managed to survive having to use cheats to make my fun in Sims 3, but they’ll be there for when the game gets a bit older along with all the expansion packs that will come with this version of the Sims.
My wants for Sims 4 (which shouldn’t come for another 5 or so years at least) is to be able to share a neighbourhood between computers, trough LAN or the internet. Having them play like in the GameCube version of The Sims which allowed 2 players to play in the same household, but also with the option of playing in separate households in the same neighbourhood and then visiting each other.
Overall: 8/10; Good Show from EA in making the Sims 3 a great game to play.