Parents' Guide to The Sims 3: World Adventures

Game Windows 2009
The Sims 3: World Adventures Poster Image

Common Sense Media Review

Erin Bell By Erin Bell , based on child development research. How do we rate?

age 15+

Expansion pack allows Sims to explore exotic cultures.

Parents Need to Know

Why Age 15+?

Any Positive Content?

Parent and Kid Reviews

age 14+

Based on 2 parent reviews

age 11+

Based on 13 kid reviews

Kids say the game offers an exciting blend of travel and adventure across various countries like China, Egypt, and France, making it both entertaining and slightly educational. However, some reviews note the presence of mild violence and suggest it is more suitable for older children due to its themes, yet overall, players enjoy the gameplay and the potential for creative play.

  • travel
  • educational
  • mild violence
  • suitable for older kids
  • creative gameplay
Summarized with AI

What's It About?

THE SIMS 3: WORLD ADVENTURES is the first expansion pack for EA's The Sims 3 life simulation, and allows players to take their characters (known as "Sims") on vacation to destinations in Egypt, China, and France. Each new location offers adventures, new people to meet, new items and decor to purchase, and new skills to master. For example, Sims can practice martial arts and meditation in a Chinese martial arts academy , explore ancient Egyptian tombs for treasure, learn the fine art of "nectar making" in France, and take pictures with the new photography skill. With World Adventures installed, players will be able to access a new Travel option from within the main game of The Sims 3 to book a vacation. Vacations only last a few days to begin with, but Sims can earn Visa points that allow them to book longer and longer vacations, up to 15 days.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say ( 2 ):
Kids say ( 13 ):

World Adventures is a worthy add-on that allows players to explore three distinctly different cultures. Each location boasts the same degree of nuance and attention to detail that has become a hallmark of The Sims franchise, so that the player really does feel immersed in these exotic places. Sims can also complete quests for the locals and explore ruins for treasure, which requires Sims to pull switches, disarm traps, and solve puzzles to open locked doors -- gameplay that is more typical of adventure games. The game's control scheme and camera angles are far from optimized for these kinds of tasks, but the occasional awkwardness and frustration don't dampen the overall experience too much. World Adventures adds even more depth to a game that already has virtually unlimited replay value.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • What was your favorite location to visit, and why?

  • What new things did you learn about each culture by taking virtual vacations there?

  • Are you inspired to visit any of these countries in real-life after experiencing them in The Sims?

Game Details

  • Platform : Windows
  • Pricing structure :
  • Available online? : Not available online
  • Publisher : Electronic Arts
  • Release date : November 17, 2009
  • Genre : Simulation
  • ESRB rating : T for Crude Humor, Sexual Themes, Violence
  • Last updated : October 9, 2025

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