The Sims 3: Island Paradise

Download The Sims 3: Island Paradise and embark on a tropical adventure! Build dream resorts, explore uncharted islands, and discover the secrets of the ocean in this sun-soaked expansion. Are you ready to set sail? Play now!
a game by Maxis Software
Platform: PC (2013)
User Rating: 8.5/10 - 4 votes
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See also: Life Simulation Games, Management Games, Time Management Games, The Sims Games
The Sims 3: Island Paradise
The Sims 3: Island Paradise
The Sims 3: Island Paradise

Whoever initially came up with the idea for The Sims was probably some kind of understated genius. What’s more relatable than a game where the characters are just people going about their daily lives? Maybe making your own Mii’s on the Mii Channel, but not much else, as evidenced by the success and popularity of the Sims franchise over all sorts of platforms be it PC or PS2 (even in 2010, over 125 million Sims games had been sold). It comes as no surprise than the Island Paradise of the Sims sticks to the same overall game play as its predecessors, but with a few unique quirks and tropes. Most noticeably, they’re on an island this time.

The Low Down

Through The Sims 3: Island Paradise, you can live out your tropic island fantasies vicariously through your little animated collection of humans. They’ve been through mundane suburban life, college life, ancient history and all kinds of environments in between, so why not let them enjoy a bit of tropical sum?

In this game, your Sims can take part in a huge range of ocean based activities, such as swimming, snorkelling and sailing, to a name a few. The resort of Isla Pardiso in which your Sims inhabit is pretty at first but also holds some secrets, such as new unlockable islands and places to inhabit.

Things I Enjoyed

As mentioned, the main gimmick of this game is the inclusion of aquatic activities. You can carry out many of the old functions that were present in previous Sims games such as the buy and build modes, except, you know, over water. A nifty feature in Island Paradise is that it provides blueprints so you can build your homes a lot more quickly if you’re not bothered fussing over the details. The resort management aspect is also a welcome addition to the game that makes it a bit more interesting, as you can buy or build a resort, manage it, charge how much your staff makes an hour and make some extra Simoleons while you’re at it. The graphics have steadily improved and are still largely built on what’s come before in its predecessors, but I have to admit that the bright, warm colours and the tones and depth of the water make this one of the nicest looking Sims games to date.

Things I Didn’t

There are a few new features that feel like they’re more than for show than for actual in-depth gameplay, however. The diving and underwater features appear nifty at first, but there really isn’t an awful lot to do apart from collect seashells and woo all the mermaid people who are casually living beneath the waves. The limited diving areas make this feel a bit lacking, even if it is something the franchise hasn’t previously done before.

The Bottom Line

The Sims 3: Island Paradise isn’t likely to win over the hearts of being who were never interested in the franchise before or excite anyone who’s familiar with the games, but there are enough new features to get you immersed for a good few hours before reality hits and you realise you’re just playing yet another Sims game. Here’s to the next one!

Pros

  • Interesting new nautical features
  • Lots of new things to explore
  • It’s another Sims game!

Cons

  • Underwater areas are lacking
  • After a while it runs it course; little replay value if you’re not a huge fan of the Sims

6/10

Download The Sims 3: Island Paradise

PC

System requirements:

  • PC compatible
  • Operating systems: Windows 10/Windows 8/Windows 7/2000/Vista/WinXP

Snapshots and Media

PC Screenshots