The Sims 3: Town Life Stuff

Review

Common Sense Media says

Expansion offers new items, new local places to visit.
greenON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age.
yellowPAUSE: Know your child; some content
may not be right for some kids.
redOFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age.
not for kidsNOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age.

Find out more

Quality
 
Sometimes media can be age appropriate but a real waste of time. Our star rating assesses the media's overall quality.

Find out more

Parents say

Not yet rated

Kids say

AGE
7
QUALITY
 

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that The Sims 3: Town Life Stuff is what the game's publisher calls a "Stuff Pack." Players must have the Windows game The Sims 3 to be able to play. This product merely adds a bunch of new items, clothes, appliances, etc., that players can use to expand their virtual life, extending the franchise's theme of consumerism. In this pack, players not only get new appliances, high-tech gadgets, and a slate of high-end gym equipment, they also get access to new venues within your Sims village, including community lofts and a corner cafe. The experience of the game remains unchanged as this is not a full-blown "Expansion Pack;" there are no new modes that significantly change The Sims 3 experience.

  • Positive messages1
    The Sims franchise lets players create their own story. There is very little direction as to which way to play. In this expansion pack, players are especially encouraged to go out and explore the city; in addition, many of the new items focus on letting players build a home gym, which helps send the message of the importance of exercise.
  • Positive role models1
    Everything is open-ended, meaning Sims can behave well or poorly based on player choices. Players are encouraged to themselves be good role models, because other Sim characters will react positively if they are treated with respect.
  • Ease of play2
    Although players can do whatever they want in this game, in order to succeed they need to successfully get a job, multitask, and forge complex social interactions. To keep the Sims healthy, players will need to have a strong attention to detail and a lot of focus.
  • Violence3
    This expansion pack does not add any additional violent content to the game. However, it does require the base game, meaning players will be exposed to the content in The Sims 3. This includes fighting other virtual Sim characters and the potential to watch Sims die.
  • Sex3
    To make the life simulation as realistic as possible, Sims can opt to have sex. This is referred to in the game as "Woohoo." The activity is not graphically depicted. The only indication that intercourse is occurring is the fact that characters are in the same bed and make occasional giggling sounds. This expansion pack does not add to the existing sexual content.
  • Language0
    Not applicable.
  • Consumerism3
    This is an expansion pack that does nothing more than add new items to the base game, which you have to own to play this add-on. Players are encouraged to continue buying additional expansion packs and items, thereby growing The Sims 3 franchise.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking0
    Not applicable.
  • Privacy & safety0
    Not applicable.
CloseExpand to see more details

What's it about?

THE SIMS 3: TOWN LIFE STUFF gives players new incentives to step out of their virtual home and check out new buildings and establishments to socialize with neighbors and other virtual residents. In addition, the newly added items encourage players to build a home gym and get their Sim character as fit as possible. This expansion pack gives users content for both within their virtual home and outside it as well, which makes it more unique than many of the other "Stuff Packs" available.

Is it any good?

 

As with all previous The Sims games, The Sims 3 continues to provide players with countless hours of playability thanks, in part, to continued expansion packs. Town Life Stuff gives users a bunch of new items to add to their virtual home -- and building up the best, ultimate virtual home is ultimately the main point of the Sims experience. This expansion also gives users more content outside of the home, making it easier and a more interesting experience to go out and virtually socialize with new people.

Sign Up Message
Sign up for our weekly newsletter
Each week we send a customized newsletter to our parent and teen subscribers. Parents can customize their settings to receive recommendations and parent tips based on their kids’ ages. Teens receive a version just for them with the latest reviews and top picks for movies, video games, apps, music, books, and more.
Please enter an email address.
Please check your email address for possible typos.
Sorry, you must be 13 or older to subscribe to our weekly newsletter.
Sign me up!

What families can talk about

  • Families can talk about the importance of balancing their real and virtual social lives. Why is it important to set computer limits?

  • Families can also discuss going outside and seeing new places. What do you want to see around your real-life city?

  • Does your Sim character do anything that you would like to do in real life?

This review was written by Mark Raby
Kid, 12 years old
August 23, 2011
AGE
8
 
cool game
best game ever
Was this review useful?
Helped me decide (7) | Had useful details (8) | Read my mind (4)
Flag as inappropriate 
Teen, 14 years old
September 4, 2011
AGE
8
 
sims 3
Was this review useful?
Helped me decide (5) | Had useful details (4) | Read my mind (4)
Flag as inappropriate 
Kid, 10 years old
December 27, 2011
AGE
2
 
dont
i dont give a chance
Was this review useful?
Helped me decide (3) | Had useful details (3) | Read my mind (4)
Flag as inappropriate 
Kid, 11 years old
February 5, 2012
AGE
8
 
a little nudity and some violence its a good gme
Was this review useful?
Helped me decide | Had useful details | Read my mind
Flag as inappropriate 
Parent
January 11, 2012
AGE
17
 
good
Was this review useful?
Helped me decide | Had useful details | Read my mind
Flag as inappropriate 
See all user reviews
This review was written by Mark Raby
Platforms:Windows, Mac
Available online?Not available online
Genre:Simulation
Developer:Electronic Arts
Release date:July 26, 2011
Price:$19.99
ESRB rating:T for Violence, Crude Humor, Sexual Themes
This review was written by Mark Raby

Contact us to give us more feedback on our learning ratings.

 

Review It

Share your review with others

Hang on! You need to be a member to post your review.
A safe community is important to us. Please observe our guidelines.

Screenshots

  • 1 of 3
  • 2 of 3
  • 3 of 3

Tell us what you think about our new Learning Ratings. We value your feedback.

About our rating system
ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age.
PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids.
OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age.
Learning ratings
BEST: Really engaging, great learning approach.
GOOD: Pretty engaging, good learning approach.
FAIR: Somewhat engaging, OK learning approach.
NOT FOR LEARNING: Not recommended for learning.
Our child development rating guidelines

Great alternatives handpicked by our editors

More Sims 3 expansions
For kids who love simulations and The Sims games
Browse more games
 

vote now

Will you play The Sims 3: Town Life Stuff?

Game on
Press pause
Game over

Already played it? What do you think?

I recommend it
It's a pass
 
More from Common Sense Media
Age-appropriate reviews
Top advice and articles

Been There? Tell us about it