Smash! - 9/10
Quote:
"Months and years will go by before the true potential of The Sims 3 is finally revealed, and that says a lot about just how complex this game is."
D+Pad - 4.5/5
Quote:
"Regardless, The Sims remains as hopelessly addictive as ever, admirably upholding the series’ reputation as the ultimate sandbox game. EA has done a commendable job at listening to its community and giving them what they want by way of the included movie maker, style creator and integrated online store, crafting not only a well-rounded package that bests its predecessor in every area, but a game that is, much like its virtual stars, filled with charm and character."
1UP - B+
Quote:
"All in all, however, the problems with The Sims 3 are easily outweighed by the wide variety of funky new gadgets, sharp additions to gameplay, and a pervasive sense that the developers had the fanbase squarely in mind throughout the design process. If EA gets the bugs ironed out with a patch, The Sims 3 will make a lot of converts to an already popular series. And it deserves to."
GamePlanet - 9/10
Quote:
"All in all, Maxis have done an amazing job at making the game deeper and more exciting in almost every way, and yet somehow have managed to make the game overall much more manageable and understandable."
GameTrailers - 9/10
Quote:
"After suffering from an oversaturation of Sims for the last 10 or so years, it’s hard to believe The Sims 3 is as good as it is. It’s unapologetically a Sims game, but it also manages to feel truly fresh."
Bit.tech - 9/10
Quote:
"The Sims 3 is a huge game stuffed with things to do and explore, with a number of features like the trait system that breathe new life into the series."
Hexus.gaming - 9/10
Quote:
"The Sims is back, bigger and better than ever. The Sims 3 is a real high point in the series and an ideal time for anyone who hasn't played this life-sim, wherever they may be hiding, to enjoy its unique and addictive qualities."
PC World - 90%
Quote:
"Whether you're part of that base or no, it's the most inviting, gratifying version of the game that makes the utmost in everyday banality utterly seductive.
I dare you to not be seduced."
TotalVideoGames - 8/10
Quote:
"The implementation of the city coupled with the numerous improvements to the game flow and customization, makes The Sims experience much more rewarding and enjoyable than its predecessors. Undeniably the best Sims yet, the extension beyond the home is wonderfully natural and helps to focus on the bigger things than getting caught up in the basics."
Edge Online - 8/10
Quote:
"If there’s one great story in The Sims 3, it’s of how the biggest game in the world continues to act like it, expanding in some respects, shrinking in others, but always evolving. And it’s about EA learning more and more how to act like the world’s biggest developer, the production values, build quality and feature set here being almost overwhelming."
GamePro - 4/5
Quote:
"I've pulled a few all-nighters for games before. Master of Orion II, Civilization II, and Knights of the Old Republic are just a few titles that I've gone without sleep for. All of those games have something in common: they're ridiculously addictive and after reading Raychul's review, it's obvious that EA's crafted yet another Sims experience worth staying up past your bedtime for."
Eurogamer - 8/10
Quote:
"It's both more of a role-playing game than it's ever been before, and more of a design game than it's ever been before. It may suffer a few glaring compromises, but it's an essential play for anyone with an interest in what videogames can achieve outside of a targeting reticule."
IGN - 8.9/10
Quote:
"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."
GameSpy - 4.5/5
Quote:
"...the Sims 3 team's given us a plenty of reasons to keep coming back, the inevitable cavalcade of expansion packs notwithstanding."
GameSpot - 9.0/10
Quote:
"Although it could have offered even more right out of the box, there's still an awful lot of content here, and it's bound to put a smile on almost anyone's face."
PC Gamer - 92%
Quote:
"The best Sims game yet. It's still about playing with virtual dolls, but it's never been this big, beautiful and eager to please."
PC Zone UK - 92%
Quote:
"With hindsight my initial annoyance with The Sims 3 wasn't a fault with the game, but down to it offering so much freedom. Before I could enjoy it I had to work out what I wanted to do (have one Sim or many? Build a house or go with the pre-built?) and what play style suited me (be nice or nasty?).
So play the game the way you like, and treat it as a guilty pleasure."
Quote:
"Months and years will go by before the true potential of The Sims 3 is finally revealed, and that says a lot about just how complex this game is."
D+Pad - 4.5/5
Quote:
"Regardless, The Sims remains as hopelessly addictive as ever, admirably upholding the series’ reputation as the ultimate sandbox game. EA has done a commendable job at listening to its community and giving them what they want by way of the included movie maker, style creator and integrated online store, crafting not only a well-rounded package that bests its predecessor in every area, but a game that is, much like its virtual stars, filled with charm and character."
1UP - B+
Quote:
"All in all, however, the problems with The Sims 3 are easily outweighed by the wide variety of funky new gadgets, sharp additions to gameplay, and a pervasive sense that the developers had the fanbase squarely in mind throughout the design process. If EA gets the bugs ironed out with a patch, The Sims 3 will make a lot of converts to an already popular series. And it deserves to."
GamePlanet - 9/10
Quote:
"All in all, Maxis have done an amazing job at making the game deeper and more exciting in almost every way, and yet somehow have managed to make the game overall much more manageable and understandable."
GameTrailers - 9/10
Quote:
"After suffering from an oversaturation of Sims for the last 10 or so years, it’s hard to believe The Sims 3 is as good as it is. It’s unapologetically a Sims game, but it also manages to feel truly fresh."
Bit.tech - 9/10
Quote:
"The Sims 3 is a huge game stuffed with things to do and explore, with a number of features like the trait system that breathe new life into the series."
Hexus.gaming - 9/10
Quote:
"The Sims is back, bigger and better than ever. The Sims 3 is a real high point in the series and an ideal time for anyone who hasn't played this life-sim, wherever they may be hiding, to enjoy its unique and addictive qualities."
PC World - 90%
Quote:
"Whether you're part of that base or no, it's the most inviting, gratifying version of the game that makes the utmost in everyday banality utterly seductive.
I dare you to not be seduced."
TotalVideoGames - 8/10
Quote:
"The implementation of the city coupled with the numerous improvements to the game flow and customization, makes The Sims experience much more rewarding and enjoyable than its predecessors. Undeniably the best Sims yet, the extension beyond the home is wonderfully natural and helps to focus on the bigger things than getting caught up in the basics."
Edge Online - 8/10
Quote:
"If there’s one great story in The Sims 3, it’s of how the biggest game in the world continues to act like it, expanding in some respects, shrinking in others, but always evolving. And it’s about EA learning more and more how to act like the world’s biggest developer, the production values, build quality and feature set here being almost overwhelming."
GamePro - 4/5
Quote:
"I've pulled a few all-nighters for games before. Master of Orion II, Civilization II, and Knights of the Old Republic are just a few titles that I've gone without sleep for. All of those games have something in common: they're ridiculously addictive and after reading Raychul's review, it's obvious that EA's crafted yet another Sims experience worth staying up past your bedtime for."
Eurogamer - 8/10
Quote:
"It's both more of a role-playing game than it's ever been before, and more of a design game than it's ever been before. It may suffer a few glaring compromises, but it's an essential play for anyone with an interest in what videogames can achieve outside of a targeting reticule."
IGN - 8.9/10
Quote:
"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."
GameSpy - 4.5/5
Quote:
"...the Sims 3 team's given us a plenty of reasons to keep coming back, the inevitable cavalcade of expansion packs notwithstanding."
GameSpot - 9.0/10
Quote:
"Although it could have offered even more right out of the box, there's still an awful lot of content here, and it's bound to put a smile on almost anyone's face."
PC Gamer - 92%
Quote:
"The best Sims game yet. It's still about playing with virtual dolls, but it's never been this big, beautiful and eager to please."
PC Zone UK - 92%
Quote:
"With hindsight my initial annoyance with The Sims 3 wasn't a fault with the game, but down to it offering so much freedom. Before I could enjoy it I had to work out what I wanted to do (have one Sim or many? Build a house or go with the pre-built?) and what play style suited me (be nice or nasty?).
So play the game the way you like, and treat it as a guilty pleasure."
