The Sims FreePlay

Review

Common Sense Media says

Freemium sim both enjoyable and playable without spending.
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.

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

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Parents say

Not yet rated

Kids say

AGE
11
QUALITY
 

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that The Sims FreePlay is what's known as a "freemium" app. That means that although it does not cost anything to download and play, once players actually get into the game there are many opportunities for them to buy in-game content. Even without spending a dime, though, there is a full and complete Sims game here, complete with house-building, job hunting, and relationships. Like its predecessors, this game does allow two Sims characters to have sex, though it is referred to in the game as "woohoo!" and contains no graphic depictions. Sims characters can also fight one another, but this is presented as a means of normal human interaction and not as an excessive or gratuitous act of violence.

  • Ease of use3
    While this game looks and feels a lot like the more sophisticated Sims games on the PC or consoles, it does strip away some of the more complex factors. For example, career ladders are less intensive, making it easier to climb to the top of a profession. There is also no option to have a child, meaning players will never have to deal with that added component. Nevertheless, players will need to have a firm grasp on time management and be able to juggle many tasks at the same time, taking this game slightly out of the realm of intently casual apps.
  • Violence2
    Among the many different social interactions that two or more Sims characters can have, it is possible to get into fist fights. Sims may also face violent hazards like fires and starvation, which can lead to death. While these actions are possible, they are never encouraged or rewarded.
  • Sex3
    As part of the realistic representation of real life, this game allows players to form relationships with other Sims characters. If players foster a relationship well enough, they will eventually earn the ability to have sex (called "woohoo!" in the game). This is presented as two Sims characters getting in the same bed. There is no graphic depiction of sexual activity, but it is heavily implied.
  • Language0
    Not applicable.
  • Consumerism3
    Success in this game is measured, in part, by how big a player's house is and how expensive the contents inside the house are. This is also a "freemium" game, which means that although it is free to download, players are encouraged to buy in-game items with real money.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking0
    Not applicable.
  • Privacy & safety0
    Not applicable.
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Is it any good?

 

THE SIMS FREEPLAY is a great transition of the ever-popular Sims franchise to the portable world of the iPhone and iPad. It is a "freemium" app, which usually means players need to pour in a lot of real money after they've become hooked, but this game actually provides a vast, expansive experience for players without needing to spend a single penny. Although it is only a fraction of the size of its high-end PC game counterparts, this app manages to capture the same level of endless features and options for which the series has become so renowned. The touch-screen control takes a bit of getting used to and the responsiveness is not always perfect, but as far as apps that players can really sink their teeth into, this one ranks at just about the very top.

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This review was written by Mark Raby
Educator
January 25, 2012
AGE
10
 
Fine.
This is just fine for kids 10 and up. I mean, be realistic, they're going to eventually break if you can't let them have something as harmless like this.
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Flag as inappropriate 
Kid, 11 years old
January 29, 2012
AGE
9
 
N/A
AAAAAWWWWWWWWEEEEEESSSSSSSSSSOOOOOOOMMMMMMMEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!
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Helped me decide (3) | Had useful details (2) | Read my mind (3)
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Parent
February 23, 2012
AGE
10
 
It's fine
I think this is appropriate for kids 10 and up.
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Helped me decide (2) | Had useful details (2) | Read my mind (3)
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Kid, 11 years old
March 17, 2012
AGE
11
 
soo cool
i think this game is sooo sweet
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Helped me decide (1) | Had useful details | Read my mind (1)
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Kid, 11 years old
May 20, 2012
AGE
10
 
Learning1
Pretty fun game, great bargain.
This is a super fun app for the price, and will entertain you for a long time. My friends and I all love it. There aren't many issues with it, but it can get slightly boring after a while. You can't go very far with relationships, but I understand that's because this is only the freeplay version. So, this game is fine for kids that are probably 8 years old at least, and perfect for tweens and teens.
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Teen, 13 years old
April 19, 2012
AGE
13
 
Woohooing is a issue
well, theres sexual themes and any gender can 'woohoo' with another as in female to female, and male to male. but otherwise its cool, i love playing it since im a sims fan
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This review was written by Mark Raby
Category:Simulation Games
Platforms:iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad, Android
Price:Free
Size:409.00 MB
Publisher:Electronic Arts
Version:1.0.3
Release date:December 20, 2011
Minimum software requirements:iOS 3.0 or later
This review was written by Mark Raby

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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

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