The Sims 3 is a life simulation game that allows players to control the lives of their virtual characters. Players can choose how their Sims spend their days, from a career to a romantic relationship.
Sims can now try for a baby with another young adult or adult Sim. When successful, a lullaby-like song will play.
The Sims 3 is a life simulation game
At its heart, The Sims 3 is a life simulation game that lets players create virtual characters and control their every move. These invisible player puppets can pursue long-term goals as they go about their lives, ranging from finding a job to fulfilling a lifetime wish. They can also achieve short-term goals and rewards, like clean surroundings or momentary strokes of luck.
The graphics are impressive and, provided your computer can handle it, the world feels alive with swaying trees, cars driving by and a well-done day/night cycle. Sims work out at different intensities, puffing and panting in a pixelated sweat; they get rained on or splash themselves in the pool.
What’s more, the rest of the town doesn’t stop while your Sim is inside their home – time goes on around them in real time. This is a significant improvement on previous games, where time stood still for your household while the rest of the town rolled on.
It has an open world
The Sims 3 introduced the concept of an open world, or neighbourhoods that were larger than the neighborhood zones from previous games. Players could explore these neighborhoods, which were later renamed towns, without the need for loading screens.
Sims can travel to neighbouring lots by walking, riding bikes or driving a car. They can also visit friends’ houses on private lots, although Sims can only see inside the home if they are invited in by the owner.
This feature is a big improvement over The Sims 4, which has notoriously long loading screens to get from one house to another. Hopefully The Sims 5 will adopt this open-world feature as well. It’s a great way to improve immersion and make it easier for the players to meet their Sims’ goals.
It has a skill system
The Skill system in The Sims 3 allows players to customize how their Sims level up their Skills. Sims can improve their Skills in several ways, such as preparing meals (cooking skill), watching cookin’ cable (food TV), picking wild fruits and vegetables (gardening skill) or playing with toys (children’s creativity).
Most skills have multiple challenges to complete which increase the rate that Sims level up those skills. Sims who complete all the Challenges for a skill receive a bonus level.
The Skill Journal displays information about a Sim’s Skill progression and tracks Challenges. Some Skills also have a perk, such as the celebrity perk Celebuserum which gives Sims the ability to use their celebrity status to make more friends. Lot traits also help Sims level up their Skills faster. For example, virtuoso guitar players get better tips and green thumbs grow higher quality produce.
It has a trait system
Traits determine how a Sim feels, how they act, and what they want. They influence everything from their career prospects to their social life and romantic relationships. Sims can gain up to five traits as they grow from babies into young adults. They can also get one additional trait by choosing an aspiration in CAS.
Easily Impressed: Sims with this trait are easily impressed by others and tend to brag a lot. They also earn social meter points faster when they hear other Sims talk about themselves.
Avant Garde: This trait gives Sims a passion for art and increases the value of their paintings and sculptures. However, it conflicts with Can’t Stand Art. It also adds a debuff when Sims are near artwork and slows down their creativity skills.
It has a baby system
The Sims 3 features a baby system that allows players to control when their Sims have children. Sims can have babies either through a hospital or home birth. When a Sim is pregnant, they will show symptoms of morning sickness and a lullaby-like song plays.
When a Sim is on maternity leave, they can choose to spend time at work or stay at home with their infant. The more the Sim interacts with their newborn, the better their relationship will become.
If a Sim has multiple children, they can choose to give one child a trait of the other parent by using the “Try for Baby” interaction. Sims can also skip the hardest parts of childhood by adopting a child from the adoption center.
