What is so special about The Sims?

Debating on whether to jump into this series. Is it actually as addictive as people say it is? I have one friend who is REALLY into it, she talks about her "sims" all the time whenever I even mention video games. ;) But in all honesty, why is this game so fun? What grabbed me was the sheer amount of replay value with the game plus all the current expansions -- it seems endless. I almost exclusively buy games with lots of replay value, I like to get a lot of hours for my buck.

You'll either really like or or get bored wiht it in an hour or two.

Its more or less an RPG with a completely mundane, though famliar setting. It heavily revolves around character development as you teach and develop your individial Sim. The game revolves more on "exploration", discovery, and creative experimentation rather than the typical action/combat focused nature of most other RPGs. If that sounds appealing, then you might like it. Otherwise, you'll quickly grow bored of it.

That is the amazing thing about the Sims. On the look of it it is nothing special. But once you play it you don't want to stop.

It has some RPG elements, but it has a lot of building elements as well. You can build an entire village if you like! :D

Uh, yes. It's exactly like playing with a Dollhouse:oops: The attraction kind of isn't from the game itself, but what you take away from the game if you know what I mean. Straight up controlling people and putting them through everyday mundane tasks will get boring after a while, but if you pride yourself for being the least bit creative, replayability will open up to you. When I used to be really big on the Sims 2, I only used it for two things mainly. Creating sims helped me envision characters for my writing, and creating dreamhouses because I like that sort of thing.

It has some RPG elements, but it has a lot of building elements as well. You can build an entire village if you like! :D

Cobra_nVidia

Also, which Sims would you recommend -- the original with all the expansions, the same for The Sims 2, or The Sims 3 with all the content up to this point?

Also, which Sims would you recommend -- the original with all the expansions, the same for The Sims 2, or The Sims 3 with all the content up to this point?

CaptainAhab13

Sims 3 is also the more expensive, but it looks really nice. I haven't really delved into the expansions, but last I checked it was a little skimpy in terms of features. I decided I wouldn't go back into 3 until the price dropped and a substantial amount of expansion features were added. Sims 2 has more content if you're going for the complete package, and mods help out to make your Sims look more human xP.

What I love about The Sims is it's creativeness and how invloving it can be. It also is quite a happy game that can keep you busy for ages and I really enjoy games such as that. :D

I think the sims is also the only proper video game that has a 50% female user base. Which is what contributed a lot to its awesome sales.

Sims 3 is also the more expensive, but it looks really nice. I haven't really delved into the expansions, but last I checked it was a little skimpy in terms of features. I decided I wouldn't go back into 3 until the price dropped and a substantial amount of expansion features were added. Sims 2 has more content if you're going for the complete package, and mods help out to make your Sims look more human xP.

Sharpie125

Um no i think the base game atm on steam is 30 bucks..Thats expansive..If he or shoe likes it they can dive into the expansions which goes for about the same cash..He or she can buy the whole base game +expansions for about 90 bucks atm..

Ncobra very tallented good jon there..My wife is always asking me to make her houses from scratch also..So ive become a real expert building the guarages an such..

It's a great and easy tool to build some dream house you can never afford.

Also, which Sims would you recommend -- the original with all the expansions, the same for The Sims 2, or The Sims 3 with all the content up to this point?

CaptainAhab13

The Sims 3 is the best game in the series yet. It features two free-roaming towns which you can explore and mess around in without any restrictions (prior games were divided into lots which was a bit of a drag). It also has more focused objectives so you always have something to strive for - however, you are free to completely ignore them if you want. Another big thing is the in-game implementation of both user-created content and official content.

It's a game that not only rewards, but for all intents and purposes demands creativity and imagination from the player. It is sandbox incarnate.

I already have a life i like and i dont like playing with dolls. Therefore i dont like sims.

You can live out for fantasies. You can impregnate and divorce as many people as you want. You can start a business. You can be a billionaire. If that doesn't convince you, RPG fans and FPS fans alike enjoy it. (I play this in between STALKER, Vindictus, and Dragon Age)

It's a nice retreat from everyday troubles.

My favourite part about the game is the humor. You get some pretty hilarious situations sometimes.

For instance, my sim was feeling lonely so he started flirting with his maid, this turned into a full blown relationship and then into marriage, as it turns out she had been stealing from me because one of her characteristics was that of a kleptomaniac. Also I found out once we were married that her life time wish was to have 10 boyfriends meaning her goal was to cheat on me at least 9 times...this was complicated by the fact that she was a never nude(she wore a swimsuit in the shower) and she was a crazy neat freak while my character was insane meaning he would sometimes talk to his furniture. It just didn't end well with those two : p