Metascore
86 out of 100

Generally favorable reviews - based on 75 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 74 out of 75
  2. Negative: 0 out of 75
  1. The Sims 3, while certainly not as comprehensive as The Sims 2, is a promising start to a new series. [Aug 2009, p.52]
  2. The Sims 3 is not a surprise; it not reinvents the genre or has a significant evolution. It is mainly a successful game, a natural evolution and an experience that can even be regarded as introspective.
  3. The refurbished virtual doll house doesn't look that new, but its voyeuristic charm is greatly increased.
  4. The sheer scope of possibility is a little daunting, so it’s really to the game’s benefit that it is just so instantly addictive.
  5. Her loyal fans will go crazy again with it. They'll talk about it everywhere. They'll miss something here and there. But then they'll go back to the game and even forget their real life.
  6. Same formula as the original one, lots of new features, usual charisma. Fun for everyone.
  7. 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.
  8. Ultimately, if you liked the previous Sims games, you will like The Sims 3. If the series has never floated your boat, there is nothing here that will make convert you the fan camp.
  9. The Sims 3 will make fans fall in love again, thanks to the many new contents added to the franchise. The optimized gameplay also is good news. All the others should know that the game is still the same, deeper, better in the gameplay and graphics and full of stuff to buy, but always The Sims. You love it or you hate it.
  10. The Sims 3 is a complex game. Not a complete revolution, but a precise revision of many game aspects. Leaving behind scripts and isometric visuals, adding a nice online session, Maxis has successfully redefined its masterpiece.
  11. A lot has changed in The Sims 3, but for all the technical refinements, gameplay additions, and online integration, it still scratches the same basic itch that its predecessors did, though it arguably does it with an improved effectiveness.
  12. 80
    Definitely a huge step in the right direction with all the improvements it offers. I would've liked more of a true story mode, like we've seen in the console versions or in the Stories series. And at times, I was reverting back to the mundane "eat, sleep, work, eat, sleep, work" cycle that I thought we'd be done with by now (though this micromanaging is way more streamlined now). But The Sims 3 allows players to play the way they truly want, way more than they ever were able to do before.
  13. 78
    The Sims 3 isn't a bad game, not in slightest, and too a different group of gamers this might be all they wanted, but for me this feels like a sequel that Will Wright had nothing to do with. There is no new magic, or amazing new idea that is going to re-imagine the whole series, it's just more and better stuff that we got in Sims 1.
  14. The Sims 3 has immense potential as upcoming expansions start rolling into high gear. And that’s what you’re really buying: A game of potential.
  15. It’s only the inclusion of a much slicker set of tools to allow the recording of machinima movies and the sharing of customised content that prevents an even harsher score. While there was a significant step up both technically and in gameplay terms between The Sims and The Sims 2, the same can’t be said of The Sims 3 compared to its predecessor.
User Score

Generally favorable reviews- based on 401 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 81 out of 115
  2. Negative: 23 out of 115
  1. DKF
    2
    I'm a big sims fan.... but Sim3 is a piece of c r a p.
    I mean there are a few things fine and dandy, some nice innovative things as well. Th
    e seamless zones are great. But! there are far too many things weighing this game down. The content in the game is "small".
    Then I see that you can buy the content for the game for a lot more money via expansions or the STORE.
    I'm insulted that EA tries this trickery to rape me of my money just because I'm a sims fanboi.
    This slap in the face is what now makes me wash my hands of this silly franchise, finally. Sims3 is just boring... boring boring, walk around boring, with no actual content or point to developing your sims, or house.
    Full Review »
  2. The Sims 3 is an amazing game, that is very life like. I am looking forward to getting the new Expansion Packs. But I will agree that having no choice to have pets does kinda suck, and the graphics aren't the best. But this game will have you singing along to whatever Sim Language song is on the radio. Full Review »
  3. AlexP
    5
    The Sims 3 was very exciting at first. With all the news about it, and the advertising, it sounded pretty good. The idea of a seamless neighborhood is amazing! Unfortunately though, the seamless neighborhood isn't complete. You arn't allowed to follow your sim inside stores, restaurants and other buildings. The building creator is worse too. You can't build stores anymore, which was one of my favorite features of the sims 2. It gets worse. There is only 1 playable neighborhood, and you can't create your own! Changing families is a drag too. It is a lot of work, as you have to go to the new"town editor" and deselect your family. On the other hand, you can walk around town, which is fun for a while, and the Create a sim has a lot of new great features. The seamless neighborhood is great too, if you dont consider what I wrote about the public lots. If they make a Sims Box like they did for sim city(we all know why ea did that) then you might have fun with the sims 3 for a few days. I recommend that you stay with the Sims 2 for now. Full Review »