Filed under: Analysis / Opinion, Gaming, Software, iPhone, App Store, iPod touch
TUAW at E3: The Sims 3 for iPhone
To a relatively new Sims player (I've never been a huge fan of the games), the variety of things to do here is pretty impressive. There's the usual tasks around your house -- eating, cleaning, sleeping, and so on -- but as you play, your Sim comes up with new goals to lust after, and it's your job to make sure those things happen, all while trying to preserve your Sim's health and sanity. For instance, just a minute into playing, my Sim suddenly got it in his head that he wanted to "use someone else's shower" (which seems like an exceedingly creepy goal to have, actually), but instantly I started thinking about all the things I had to do to complete it: go to town, meet someone, get invited to their house, and then somehow find an opportunity to jump in the shower.
I never made it ("can I use your shower?" is apparently not a good pickup line), but still, I was definitely impressed with the creativity of the goal and all of the different ways there were to do it. Your Sim can get cravings for doing all kinds of strange things, from making a certain food to having a certain item, to doing something extremely strange, and there are all kinds of ways to accomplish those goals. As a really streamlined experience of leading a Sim's life, The Sims 3 for iPhone delivers.
However, for big Sims fans, the experience might be a little too streamlined -- if you're expecting to do everything you can do in the regular game, you'll probably be disappointed that some of the features (multiple Sims, bigger purchases like cars and other houses, and life stages) are missing from the iPhone game. But those looking for a simpler way into the world of The Sims will likely enjoy themselves, and get a nice taste of what makes this game the best-selling video game ever made.
The Sims 3 is out now (it released just this week along with the standard versions) for $9.99 on the App Store.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Joachim Bean said 4:47PM on 6-04-2009
Don't forget, it will be enhanced for iPhone OS 3.0 when it comes out (with a update). Controlling music, In-App purchase etc. I would imagine it will be shown off at WWDC too.
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Jason Martin said 6:22PM on 6-04-2009
This sounds like the type of game I'd be interested in. I'm not much of a gamer, and I've never played a Sims game before (other than Sim City years ago). The "streamlined" nature of this edition might be exactly what I need to work my way into the franchise. It also seems like it could be a good mobile game in that I could play for a bit when I have time to kill, moving towards a particular goal, but then put it down.
Sounds fun. Thanks for the overview.
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ABCNEWSER said 8:43PM on 6-04-2009
I bought this game the other day. It is so fun. Tip for anyone who wants to make money fast in the game: go fishing! You have to pay $200 upfront for the fishing pole, but after 6 hours (Sims time, so 6 minutes real time) I sold my fish to the shop and made about $1500! You can do this all day.
BTW, you don't have to ask to use someone else's shower, just walk into their house. They may hate you after, but it can be done.
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Mariko said 9:43AM on 6-06-2009
When you install Sims 3 on your iPhone does it ask your language preference? I can only download from Japanese iTunes store but I want English Sims 3.
Thanks.
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signup said 5:18AM on 6-08-2009
I've been having fun with this, too. I do wish it was possible to do really off-the-wall things; it seems the selection of choices, even after a while of opening up options, is limited to "normal people" kinds of activities (even for a "maniac" character type, there's nothing more dangerous that taking a shower at someone else's house or watching them sleep).
Also, with my first character, I got a job at the laboratory, which is dangerous! I died twice! But I seemed to be able to just start again from where I left off. While this is handy, it does reduce the stakes to nothing.
The visuals are amazing (this is on my PHONE?), and it's all very well thought out, but I hope the 3.0 upgrade includes new playability features, not just "stuff to buy".
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carrie said 3:38AM on 6-09-2009
Has anyone been able to start a relationship??
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shaun said 2:04AM on 6-21-2009
You can find a full length review of The Sims 3 here: http://www.theiphoneappreview.com/06/the-sims-3-iphone-review/
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Kat said 5:26PM on 9-13-2009
Yes, i have starded a relationship. In fact i broke up a marriage by turning a girl lesbian. She is now married to me, we are living together - she loves the "wohoo" (sims-name for sex). Bonus: i had a mission to make another sim jealous, got it! Her husband got jelaous and kicked me out of their house. (this was before she moved into my house)
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