Sims 3 Pets

Tomorrow, the Sims 3 pets will be released on PC, XBOX 360 and PS3. As we come towards October 21^st, we thought it would be a good idea to take a look at the Sims 3, compare it to the Sims 2 and have a look at what you can expect from the latest Sims 3 expansion pack.

In 2009, the Sims 3 hit our screens for the very first time, offering a new experience with the top selling life simulation game. The aim of the game is the same as its predecessors – build your Sims a really nice house, control their lives, get them up the career ladder and (prepare for the cheesy line) have fun. The Sims 3 can’t really be compared to the first game, as everything has changed so much. It would be better to compare it to the more recent Sims 2, as many of the features are similar with some additions in the third game.

Creating a Sim in The Sims 3

It’s basically the same as the Sims 2 – you are able to choose various faces, hair styles/colours, clothing and personal features (name, age group, skin colour etc.). However, in this version of the Sims the facial details that can be modified are far more advanced than the previous game. Tiny details like nostril size can be edited, and there is even an option to modify eyelash length. Skin tones are more varied than Sims 2, allowing for red, blue and green skin colours. It also includes the option to change the amount of muscle/fat that a Sim has, and with the Late Night expansion you are given the option to modify breast size (now that could be fun). However, something that I found was lacking here was the option to completely alter a Sims face which is available to do in the Sims 2. The Sims 3 may have more detailed face modification options, but the finished face is little changed from the one you started with. I’ve tried everything and my Sims just seem to look the same.

Individual colours on clothing, shoes and socks can be changed by clicking on the individual pieces which opens up the colour tool. Your Sims are also able to wear jewellery like earrings bracelets and gloves, as well as have tattoos and body hair (men’s chest hair has a customisable colour like most other parts of Sim creation). This is a great feature that allows a lot of freedom when choosing what your Sims can wear; it brings a little more individuality to the game.

Personality is an important thing for your Sims, and now they can become even more individual than any other Sims game. You can choose five traits for your Sims to have (things like an evil personality, lazy, athletic, genius, socially awkward, kleptomaniac...the list goes on etc.). You also have options for your Sims to have one of three different voices which differ in sound and tone. The trait system is a good one in that your Sim will behave in a way that is fitting to its personality traits. So, an evil genius Sim who likes to be isolated will generally lack social skills and is nasty to other Sims. It makes the game a little more fun.

General Gameplay

Build mode and buy mode are pretty much the same as the Sims 2, but with the option to change the colour of furniture and other items as you buy and place them in your house.

When playing the Sims 3, you choose an active household to play with. As you play around with that house, the homes and families around you live their lives as though they were being played with too. Other families you create may have children, age and die without you even touching them once, something that could be seen as both good (because it’s more realistic) and bad (in that you lose the ability to fully control your Sims). When playing with your chosen household, you are able to view the whole town map as you play and so can see inside the homes of other Sims and your Sims can walk or drive to a community lot without even having to go through a loading screen. It saves a lot of time, especially if your computer is a little slow.

However, when visiting community lots you cannot enter the building and must wait outside for your Sim to finish, something that I disliked about the game as I enjoyed entering community lots and socialising with other Sims.

Enough of the explanations

Well, I’ve given you the basic information on the Sims 3 in general, but one of the big questions is “What can we expect from the Sims 3 pets?” In anticipation of this particular query I have below a list of features that you will see when the latest expansion is released tomorrow.

The List

-         -  Unicorns are now available for your Sims. They can bless and curse Sims, set things on fire and teleport. Groovy, eh?

-         -  You can own cats, dogs and horses

-         - There are over 100 breeds of animal to choose from

-         - Give your pets personality traits like hunter, skittish and piggy

-          - With the limited edition game you get pet costumes for your Sims

-          - Sims have new traits (dog lover, cat lover, equestrian and animal lover) which contain special relationships with the chosen animal

-          - Mix and match the fur/main and tails of your pets to make crazy and funky combinations

-         -  New ranch town called Appaloosa Plains

-          - You can have SIX pets in your home, raising the maximum household number from 8 to 1

 I know we're looking forward to the Sims 3 Pets release tomorrow, and I wonder if you are too. Tell us your thoughts in the comments; we’d love to know what you think of this latest expansion.

Take a look at this trailer for the Sims 3 Pets too.