 | 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. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
The Sims Unleashed
- Windows, Mac
- Price: $24.99
- Genre: Simulation
Common Sense Media says
Complex game is purrfect for animal lovers.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that if your kids are begging for a pet, this game might help demonstrate some of the major responsibilities they'd be taking on. Sim pets need food, but they also need love and training (and they misbehave by hissing or urinating on the floor). However, note that the game is too hard to control for most young tweens -- they might get frustrated.
What's it about?
Add a new level of reality to your Sims life with this well-designed -- but complex -- expansion pack that lets you get pets from the adoption center or take in strays from the streets. With THE SIMS UNLEASHED you'll also be able to head to the new Old Town, where animals, including cats, dogs, iguanas, turtles, birds, fish, and pet goodies can be purchased (only cats and dogs become family members). You get a lot from having a pet: Letting your human Sims stare at an aquarium full of fish adds to their fun level. Cats will protect your home from mice and gophers, dogs chase skunks, and both cats and dogs are social animals, replacing the need for complicated virtual human interaction with simple warm and fuzzy animal relationships.
But as in real life, pets demand responsibility from their owners. Players must housebreak dogs to make sure they don't make a mess of the house, and you've got to clean your cat's virtual litter box. With the pets comes a whole new class of stuff to buy, such as cages, fish bowls, litter boxes, and scratching posts. And pets are not the only additions to come with Unleashed -- gardening plays a big part now, and there are new career paths, a new phone book, and new places to live.
Is it any good?
The downside is this already hard-to-control game just got harder to manage. Fast-moving animals are next to impossible to click on without pausing the game. Raising newborn kittens is extremely difficult (animal control arrives too quickly to take them away), and teaching your pets new skills takes a major time investment. Other game possibilities -- such as having your departed pets revived or setting up your own adoption center -- are much too complicated for the casual player.
Note: You need The Sims or The Sims Deluxe Edition before installing this expansion pack. Read Common Sense Media's reviews of other Sims products to learn the full range of pros and cons with this series.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about the responsibility of caring for pets. If you already have a pet, do you find your Sims pet harder or easier to care for? If you don't have a pet, does this game make you want one more or less?
- Show:
- All members
- Parents
- Teens & kids
AGE
Fun, but no educational value
The Sims Unleashed is a new spin on everyone's favorite interactive computer game. In this version you can take your families out to buy pets for them to play with. This is fun, and a good concept, but not at all educational. There is nothing to be learned from staring at people on the computer for addicting hours. It's fun, but nothing more is to be gained.
Was this review useful?
|
|
AGE
A Must-Play for Every Sim Fan!
If you have played the other Sim games, this is pretty much the same. Sure, you can kill your sims, but why would you do that? That's wrong. You can now own pets, you can feed them and take care of them (actually you have to), and best of all they can have puppies, or kittens! I think that Sims Unleashed teaches some responsibility, to show how hard it is to keep pets, and a whole family! Just beware that there are some bad uses for the game. Don't abuse a great game!
Was this review useful?
|
|
April 9, 2008
AGE
Fun!
This is a very fun game! It is fine if you're responsible. If you or your child (if an adult is reading this) is naughty and doesn't police themselves, I would say, hold off on this game for another few years or talk to them when they are done playing. I have lots of fun and the biggest problem I've had over the past, what, nine times I've played it was the oven caught fire. No biggie. The fire department came right away.
Was this review useful?
|
|
AGE
SEXUAL
The game has Mature Sexual Themes in it.
Was this review useful?
|
|
AGE
i laughed!
i have this game i think that it should be rated 11 and up.
Was this review useful?
|
|
Kid, 11 years old
February 5, 2012
AGE
teaches you how to take care of pets a few nudity themes and you can make people fight but its a good game
Was this review useful?
|
|
| Platforms: | Windows, Mac |
| Available online? | Not available online |
| Genre: | Simulation |
| Developer: | Electronic Arts |
| Release date: | July 9, 2003 |
| Price: | $24.99 |
| ESRB rating: | T |
Contact us to give us more feedback on our learning ratings.
Review It
Tell us what you think about our new Learning Ratings. We value your feedback.
Great alternatives handpicked by our editors
Already played it? What do you think?
More from Common Sense Media
Top advice and articles
