Genre: Strategy

Platform: Xbox 360

Publisher: Electronic Arts

Classification: 12 (PEGI)

Not only is Sims 3 an hour muncher, it could easily turn into a life drainer – an ironic concept when considered that players are essentially piling the hours in to try to give their Sims the perfect, varied lifestyle.

The Sims 3 is about creating people called Sims, giving them some form of relationship tie, housing them, and then helping them progress through life. When I say help, I mean it in the broadest sense possible – players need to tell them to do everything, including going to the toilet and having a wash.

Each Sim will have their own set of aspirations and dreams, and it's up to the player to ensure that they achieve them. Whether it's a short-term intention to just read a book or their long-term hope to marry a wealthy spouse - it's a burden that the players take on themselves.

Jobs are taken, relationships forged, houses bought, furnishings purchased and families expanded. It's essentially about keeping your Sims happy and is a constant juggling act to create a perfect and well balanced lifestyle that will keep them all content. It's a challenge and addictive too.

Often when a game like this is ported from PC, the lack of keyboard and mouse means the game becomes nearly unplayable. But EA have worked on this console iteration from the ground up to ensure that the controller is well suited and perfect for what's needed. With so many buttons doing so many things at all time, it can be confusing at first, but it doesn't take too long to get in to the swing of things.

Graphically things are well presented, but far from perfect. There are bugs that throw up walls in front of what you’re trying to get a look at and do a few other crazy things.

For people with a lot of spare life, enough to grant a virtual life in fact, Sims 3 has everything that will keep them busy for a very long time. If however, they want to stay as a quick gaming dabbler – beware!

SCORE: 8 / 10