The Sims 3

Our verdict on one of the biggest PC releases this year.

	Version PC	Developer The Sims Studio	Publisher EA	Genre Sim

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It's easy to be cynical about it, it's easy to write it off as not even being a 'proper' game - despite the inclusion of challenges, opportunities and lifetime goals - but there really is no denying the quality of this package.

The download and upload of content is sure to foster an obsessive and vast online community and extend the longevity of The Sims 3 by about 4,000,000 per cent (at a guess). I couldn't check it out during the review period as nothing was actually working, but the Spore experience has put EA in good stead for online integration and The Sims 2 had a reasonable download service, so it's pretty safe to assume this will be great. Unless there's a huge cock-up.

Another aspect that can add dozens of hours of playtime comes in the shape of the options screen, where players can choose to slow down or even turn off ageing, taking the game back to its pure sandbox roots. A game can go on forever, and while you may get bored you can always kill your little bugger should you feel the need. If you're sick in the head, that is.

When I'm not feeling as nice I could pick on a few aspects that can be annoying in The Sims 3. For one, the new inventory system is clumsy and fairly pointless, getting in the way more than it actually helps or streamlines anything.

For two, playing with a single Sim is boring and quite difficult should you accidentally choose to buy/build a house for around 90 per cent of your starting cashflow - playing with multiple Sims is easier, gives you more to do and gives you more money: it just makes sense.

For three, umm... well, the career progression method is the same as it's always been: keep them happy and train up their skills and you will get promoted, so that's not exactly a quantum shift in gaming. But then, it works fine so why would it need to be changed?

For four, it isn't incredible-looking. On the other hand, it scales back nicely and the cartoony world is far better than any photorealism could be, and characters are expressive and interesting to watch.

Can you see I'm struggling for real downsides here?

Aside from the above - and the fact that you still have to watch a screen of nothing happening while your Sim(s) sleep or work - there really isn't much to criticise unless you're one of the Sims-haters out there who are unable to accept the existence of a game where you control tiny people living tiny lives.

It's not going to convince them that this is anything more than a colossal waste of time, but then these are probably the people who don't understand the draw to Rock Band or Singstar, and how these games allow a complete flight of fantasy on the part of the player. Yes, I have to tell my little man to go for a shit, but I can also make him president of the world within the week.

It's a light-hearted romp, an accomplished game and adds just enough to keep things fresh. While it isn't as essential a purchase as the previous in the series was, The Sims 3 is still a fine game to waste many hours on.

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