The Sims Double Deluxe - T

This engaging game is a lot like playing house in cyberspace.

Publisher: Electronic Arts/Maxis Category/Genre: Video Games - Simulation Platform: Windows Price: $34.99 Graphics: Excellent Playability: Younger players might have a hard time keeping up with the demanding assortment of play controls. Reading Level: 12+ Release Date: 08/08/2003 ESRB Rating: T

Common Sense Note

This is a lot like playing house -- and it might lead into a good conversation about how household jobs, rules and schedules make for a more a more harmonious home. You may also want to talk to your kids about how life seems to get more manageable for the characters with more money. Ask them: Is this a realistic reflection of our society? How so?

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Common Sense Review

Reviewed By: Kate Pavao and Aaron Lazenby

THE SIMS DOUBLE DELUXE is one game with three facets. The first is the original The Sims, which allows you to create and control the lives of little people in your computer. The other two -- Livin' Large and House Party -- expand the number of items and actions your characters can manipulate in their virtual world.

Players can design their own character or family, build and furnish a home, then put their creations into "live mode" where they make friends, build a career -- and try to meet their basic needs, from taking a shower and making dinner to getting enough love and comfort.

It's a lot like playing house in cyberspace. Picking out outfits, your home and sofa are great fun, but there's lots of work in keeping the household running smoothly -- and there are dire consequences: Ignore the wife, and your relationship deteriorates, don't get enough sleep, you'll miss work (and eventually get fired), and if you aren't an attentive parent, your baby will get taken away.

The game takes awhile to get started, but once you've established yourself and your relationships (and accumulated some wealth) it becomes easier and more fun to play -- sort of like real life. It's quite addictive, and you'll be amazed how many hours of your real life have gone by while you installed new bathroom tile, barbecued, shot hoops and -- gave backrubs to the neighbors -- in your suburban Sims world.

The House Party and Livin' Large expansion packs included here increase the activities your Sims can engage in, and introduce a broader range of luxury items they can acquire. Impress your neighbors with a rocking backyard party -- complete with DJ and caterer -- or wow them with your retro designer furniture. But be careful; some of the new items contain secrets or curses that can dramatically upset your doppelgangers' lives.

Overall, this is a fun game for teens (and adults!).

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Content		CS	adults	kids
Content
Sexual Content The characters do get (fuzzily) nude for showers and you can direct adult Sims to ?Play in bed? -- though the action is under the covers, sometimes a baby appears afterward.
Violence The Grim Reaper visits all Sims, and not always due to natural causes. Watching a virtual human burn to death is pretty unpleasant.
Language
Message
	Social Behavior Multi-ethnic (and multi-sized) characters available and men and women have the same career paths open to them (of course, one of these is a life of crime).
	Commercialism While no name brands are used, one of the goals of the game is the acquisition of money and material goods.
	Drug/Alcohol/Tobacco
	Educational Value The level of detail in the Sims provides a pretty good snapshot of the demands of modern life. Budget management and child rearing also play a part.