Instead, we’ll say that we’re not sure how much our criticisms will matter. This is a Sims game after all else is said and done, so it’ll sell like gold-covered hot cakes regardless. The actual core of the game might be a hardcore time-management and strategy game, but the presentation and brand awareness aim The Sims 3 firmly at the mass market, not the hardcore. It’s a paradox central to The Sims franchise; that it’s actually a lot harder than ‘proper’ games, but is usually played by the most casual of audiences.
To that casual audience the flaws we’ve spotted in the preview build probably aren’t going to matter. We’ve watched a lot of people, mainly our mothers and sisters, play The Sims games in the past and none of them have ever really entered into it as a proper gaming pursuit. It’s mostly been a case of interior decorating and the good news is that that part of the game is as solid as ever. It looks like only those who approach The Sims 3 with a completionist, hardcore gaming attitude will find serious fault with the game – and how many people do you know who are likely to play The Sims 3 under those conditions?
