The Sims 3 (Wii, Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Nintendo DS, Windows, Mac)

VIOLENCE: Children Sims and onwards can engage in violence of both the physical and verbal sort in the game. This violence never gets too graphic, however, as it is depicted in a comical or cartoonish way. Teen Sims and onwards can die of old age, fire, electrocution, starvation or drowning. Again this is done in a cartoonish way but may upset those who have experienced these issues. Sims will grieve for the dead but only for a short while. The dead return as ghosts and float around locations in the game. The ghosts are comical in appearance but can scare Cowardly Sims. Sims sometimes die or get involved in violence due to player's acts. Babies, toddlers and children do not die in the game and are rescued by a Social Worker if they are in danger of death. The Grim Reaper and ghosts may scare very young children. DRINKING, DRUGS AND TOBACCO: Sims do not take drugs or tobacco. Sims can own bars but the drink they drink from the bar has no effect on them whatsoever and Sims cannot get drunk. Only Young Adults, Adults and Elders can drink from the bar. SEXUAL BEHAVIOUR: The game is not openly graphic in sexual behaviour. Teenage Sims and onwards can date, flirt and kiss other Sims regardless of gender. Teen Sims can only become involved with each other but Young Adult Sims, Adult Sims and Elder Sims can become involved with Young Adults, Adults or Elders regardless of gender. Young Adults, Adults and Elders can marry and jump under the bed covers and "Woo-Hoo" where any sexual acts are hidden. You can hear the Sims giggle however and some light, infrequent groaning. Sims can Woo-Hoo in public places but their always hidden from view and if caught by a policeman, they are fined. All Young Adults, Adults and Elders can conceive children except Elder females. Morning sickness is present in a comical way in the game where green liquid comes from the Sims mouth as they puke in a toilet. This is not presented in an overly graphic way. When a Sim goes into labour, a puddle of water appears under that Sim and it starts having contractions although not in an overly graphic way. The birth of a baby is hidden when the Sim is taken to the hospital but a home birth simply sees the Sim covered in sparkles, spinning on the spot and a baby appears in the Sims hands next. Sims of all ages and genders are exposed nude when bathing or using the toilet but any private areas are faded out so they are impossible to see. LANGUAGE: As Sims speak the fictional language of Simlish, there is no bad language in the game. CONSUMERISM: You are encouraged to buy objects and products for your home, especially expensive ones that are implied to be designer or brand name objects. Some products, such as cars, appear to parody real life branded products. MESSAGES: The messages portrayed in The Sims are really based on the players. Some Sims can be given negative traits such as evil and kleptomaniac or good traits such good or friendly. How your Sims act depends on what the player and sometimes what the Artificial Intelligence system does but no seriously good or bad messages are portrayed in the game. Sims will moan on the Create A Sim screen if they are made too fat or too thin. Underage sex is discouraged in the game as Teens can not have sex or get pregnant. ROLE MODELS: Again, the same points applied to 'MESSAGES' applies here too. Sims can be good role models or bad role models depending on how the players creates them or intigates their actions. SAFETY: Parents or guardians may want to play the game with their children and monitor the situation but this game never becomes too graphic. EASY TO PLAY: The game may look overwhelming to play at first but players should get used to the interface fairly quicky and hence the game is quite easy to play. EDUCATION: Players will be required to read as the game contains no understandable dialogue. They will also develop skills in time managment and endless creativity.