The Sims 3

With more than 100 million copies sold worldwide, The Sims is by some way the best-selling computer game series of all time.

Sensibly, the third full game in the popular simulation series doesn’t attempt to reinvent anything. Basic gameplay remains largely the same. You effectively play God to your computer-generated characters, helping them develop relationships, achieve career goals, go to the toilet and generally get through each day.

The first big difference in The Sims 3 is its hugely improved visuals, specifically the levels of refinement and detail. With the Sims themselves, for example, every facial feature, physical attribute and item of clothing can all be finely customised using a character creation tool similar to those found in other EA games, including Tiger Woods PGA Tour.

Not only that, but each Sim now has their own unique blend of character traits, all of which affect their personalities in different ways.

The new game also features a living, breathing ‘open world’ around which you and your Sims can move freely. Although Sunset Valley is the only town that comes in the box, it’s a very big in-game environment with no loading times between indoor and outside locations.

If some of the homes and furniture look a bit identikit, there is an online Sims store where virtual clothes, decor and entire new towns can be purchased (with real money, naturally). There is also a burgeoning online community producing customised Sims stuff to download for nothing and, of course, there’s always the promise of further expansion packs down the line.

So, no radical changes, then. But if you’re already a Sims fan, The Sims 3 is a no brainer. It’s really more of the same but refined and expanded in just the right way. If you’re new to The Sims, then the latest game is definitely a good place to start.

It is much deeper than previous titles but it’s just as easy to play. And if you hated The Sims the first time around then you’ll probably loathe this one too.