The Sims FreePlay

The Sims FreePlay puts the creative power of The Sims series into your hands with a trimmed down version for iOS and Android devices that still retains the mechanics and vibe of the franchise despite the shift in platform and price tag. If you’re an avid fan of The Sims or just a fan of life simulation games in general then you’ll no doubt love the experience on offer as you create your own virtual life in your portable handheld device.

Customisation is at the heart of The Sims FreePlay much like the main series of games from EA and something that was a clear focus of retaining during the transition to the free to play model. The gameplay opening and initial setting are also enjoyably familiar as players are thrown right into a quiet neighbourhood that servers as a blank slate for you to claim as your own and slowly fill it with all sorts of unique Sims with the mobile game currently allowing for up to 34 different Sims able to be stored.

In regards to Sim customisation you’ll find it fairly in depth and while not a like for like to the full Sims experience ensures players aren’t left with generic virtual humans populating their neighbourhood. Options include gender, skin tone, facial features, clothing, name and most importantly personality that has a direct impact to the gameplay portion of The Sims FreePlay. With over a dozen personalities available this ensures you’ll get some dynamic engagements, a decent amount of replay value and importantly find one that likely connects with your own life experiences and personality if that is your preferred Sims playstyle.

Personalities include rocker, villain, romantic, sporty, party animal, creative, bookworm and more which will change the way your Sim acts and the bonuses that they receive in game. If you’re struggling for ideas you’ll also find a very handy randomise button to speed up the process and can encourage players to experiment with something they wouldn’t otherwise.

Once you’ve settled on a Sim that reflects you (or an alter ego) you’ll get to start taking control over the life of your Sim from managing their needs to customising your house and even making friends with the stray dog of the neighbourhood and taking them in. While the early parts of the game are fairly scripted to serve as a tutorial you are quickly given plenty of freedom over the aspects of your Sims life as you would in a fully fledged edition of The Sims franchise. This means players can expect to slowly upgrade their living situation with customisation being comparable to the core franchise as players design homes that feature multiple levels and hundreds of potential items across flooring, bedding, bathroom, kitchen and everything in between.

The Sims FreePlay is more than just about your own living situation though with an upgradeable neighbourhood introducing shopping malls, beaches and local stores to your surroundings which are also closely tied to the Lifestyle Points upgrade system that are earned with play and achievement of various goals to give you some objectives in the otherwise sandbox universe of The Sims FreePlay. Given the mobile environment you’ll also find that you can visit your friends neighbourhoods and houses which gives you a sense of competition to obtaining the rare and expensive items that are constantly growing and being added.

Funding these rare items is your day to day job which allows you to follow a dream career with creative options like artist or musician alongside powerful political positions, teaching roles and police work available you’ll have over a dozen jobs. Like the real world these jobs come with their own salary progression, skill learning potential and other trade offs that need to be balanced against your other long term goals. Often these longer term goals revolve around your relationships with other virtual Sims in your neighbourhood. Options like relationships, marriage and family are as strong as they are in the original Sims experience with social dynamics in constant need of management during your sandbox story.

With a free mobile offering that offers all the fundamentals of the full cost experience The Sims FreePlay appeals to all sorts of The Sims fans. With strong Sim customisation options, plenty of potential to create your dream house and a huge number of side activities and core objectives to keep you busy as you control the life of your little people that live their virtual lives in your phone.

Summary:

• Brings The Sims to iOS and Android for free while retaining the core experience of customisation and relationships.
• Create your own Sims from a range of visual customisation and personality types to reflect your own persona or something completely new.
• Build a dream house with the large collection of furniture and colours available and upgrade it over time with job advancement.
• Control every aspect of your Sims life from work to social and manage the broader neighbourhood development.
• Visit the neighbourhoods of others and enjoy a community of millions of players and consistent updates.

Links:

• Get The Sims FreePlay (iOS)
• Get The Sims FreePlay (Android)

Videos:

Review Platform: iOS