8 Reasons Why Sims 3 Is Still A Good Game

The Sims 3 is a life simulation video game developed by the Redwood Shores studio of Maxis and published by Electronic Arts. Part of The Sims series, it is the sequel to The Sims 2. This Sims game was initially released in 2009. It continued to release expansion and stuff packs until 2013, just prior to the release of the fourth incarnation. The game follows the same premises as its predecessors

The Sims and The Sims 2 and is based around a life simulation where the player controls the actions and fates of the Sims, as well as their houses and associated neighborhoods. There are so many reasons to play Sims 3, either to revisit it or to try it out for the first time.

Here are 8 good reasons why you should play the Sims 3: 

1. It has multiple open-world options 

The sims live in neighborhoods, otherwise known as worlds in The Sims 3. and it allows sims to move around freely. The world includes community lots which can be parks, gyms, and movie theatres, and there are also job lots that include a town hall, hospital, and various businesses. The game also includes a "Story Progression" mechanic, which allows all of the Sims in the neighborhood to autonomously without needing to control them directly. The story progression allows for a more active and visible community to be a part of.

2. There are very few loading screens

Because these worlds are open, it means there are very few loading screens. the only time you will need a loading screen is upon first opening the game and the world itself, as well as when the sim travels to vacation spots in the World Adventures expansion pack. 
And you can choose between the standard loading screen or an interactive loading screen that is a search and find of items that contribute to your lifetime wish points for your active sim. 

3. You can create a unique personality and look for each sim

Sims can be created to male or female, created as a supernatural being depending on the expansions packs you own. 

You can choose your sims favorite food, music style, and color. You can even choose the astrological sign.

Five personality traits can be chosen for each Young Adult Sim and above. The younger Sims have fewer traits. A teen has 4 traits, kids have 3 traits, and toddlers have 2 traits. Some traits are not available for younger ages. For example, toddlers can't be Flirty. There are 63 traits to choose from in the base game, with Expansion packs adding more, plus some hidden traits which can be passed on to the offspring of service Sims (firefighters, police officers, etc.) or from Sims in certain careers (such as the Criminal career). 

One Lifetime Wish is can also be chosen. In CAS, only young adults, adults, and elders can choose a lifetime wish, but in-game, children and teens can also choose to pursue a certain lifetime wish early.

4. The create-a-style tool allows you to change almost every item's color

The Create a Style tool can be applied to redesign every single piece of furniture or building, changing to any color, material, or design pattern. 

Each object can have up to four patterns and each pattern can have up to four colors. Colors can be chosen in three ways: from a list of predetermined colors, from a color wheel and lightness slider, or by inputting an RGB or Hex code. The Sims 3 comes with many patterns and players can also create their own. Not all aspects of an object can be customized, although a high degree of it is offered.

Once recolored clothing and accessories can then be saved and shared like other custom items.

5. There are 11 expansion packs

World Adventures: Your sims can travel to new places and explore. They can make their fortune or meet a ghastly end from mummies. 

Ambitions: New careers and self-employment are added. You can even join your sim on some of their jobs, such as ghost hunters and stylists.

Late Night: Your sims can go out for a night on the town, become a VIP at night clubs and even meet a vampire (or become one themselves).

Generations:  There are new events for your sims families to take part in. Toddlers can a strange doll in the mail, children can have sleepovers, teens can throw parties when their parents aren't home and go to prom in a limo, and parents can suddenly get a mid-life crisis. There are so many ways to live your sims family life.

Pets: Create or adopt pets for your sims. You can get cats, dogs, and horses and give them unique traits. There are even options to get snakes, turtles, birds, rodents, lizards, deer, and raccoons. 

Showtime: The game pack is stardom and career-themed, similar to The Sims 3: Late Night pack. There are 3 new careers added in this pack; acrobat, magician, and singer. The special edition of the pack is done in partnership with Katy Perry which adds a lot more items. 

Supernatural: Create witches, wizards, werewolves, more intriguing vampires, ghosts, and fairies, each with their own magical abilities, traits, and interactions. Alchemy is added as a new skill and a lunar cycle is introduced.

Seasons: What it says on the tin! Four seasons are added, spring, summer, fall, and winter. Festivals are added to each season with different activities associated with each. Outdoor clothing is introduced to wear outdoors in cold fall and winter weather. 

University Life: It adds a university that your sim can enroll in at any time upon reaching the young adult stage. New plants and herbs are added, different social groups to be a part of, and get one of six different degrees. A plus side is that time freezes while at university, so the sim will not age. 

Island Paradise: This pack adds a new world named Isla Paradiso, an archipelago with islands to explore. You can build and create resorts for sims to vacation in and live in boats. 

Into the Future: The last expansion pack released for the Sims 3 gives you the ability to travel into a future that can be a dystopia or utopia. While they are there, your Sims can build their Advanced Technology Skill in order to get the most out of future technology. You can create a SimBot, and even meet your descendants!

6. There are 9 stuff packs

High-End Loft Stuff: Transform your Sims’ homes into sleek, edgy lofts with The Sims 3 High-End Loft Stuff. Upgrade your Sims lifestyle with sophisticated furnishings, must-have electronics, and cutting-edge fashions.

Fast Lane Stuff:  For the first time ever in a stuff pack, your Sims can get new cars along with furnishings, décor, and apparel in four distinct vehicle‐themed lifestyles.

Outdoor Living Stuff: Give your Sims everything they need for a stylish and comfortable outdoor living space.

Town Life Stuff: This stuff pack introduces new venues to give your Sims’ entire town a makeover – complete with objects just as perfect for their homes.

Master Suite Stuff: Luxurious master bedroom and bath décor—plus romantic intimate wear!

Katy Perry's Sweet Treats: Inspired by Katy’s real-life clothing and props, these fun furnishings, décor, and fashions will add a dash of sweet style to your Sims’ lives.

Diesel Stuff: Style your Sims with the latest Diesel apparel, accessories, and furniture and get ready for successful living. 

The 70s, 80s & 90s Stuff: Give your Sims the hottest looks and coolest décor from decades gone by. Rock all-new outfits, crazy hairstyles, and facial hair.

Movie Stuff: Set the stage for more unique stories with distinctively themed décor, furnishings, and clothing inspired by iconic movie genres. 

7. The online community is still very active

The Sims 3 has an online store. The Sims 3 Store has ongoing, regular releases of new content that is only available through The Store which includes clothing, hairstyles, worlds, and new items.

The community also uses a sharing community known as The Exchange. There is created content from the designers of the game which can be bought with sim-points and there are free downloads of custom content and patterns shared by players. 

8. You can take part in a number of challenges to make gameplay more interesting

A player challenge is a goal that the player defines then attempts to achieve while playing a game in The Sims series. Challenges are not a standard part of the games themselves but are instead created by players. These players may share their challenges with other players, including successes and failures. Some forms of challenges have become particularly well known within the player community of The Sims.

Legacy Challenge and the 100-baby-challenge are among the most commonly known challenges to play and are covered a lot by Sims content creators. 

In the list above, there are reasons to play Sims 3 again or to try it for the first time. I listed only eight but there are so many other reasons to play this decade-old game. 

Have fun with your Sims experience!