The Sims Medieval

As with other Sims titles, this game does not pass any moral judgment on to the players. They are free to do whatever they want -- they can live a dutiful life, brush up on their swordsman skills, and become the most respected knight in the kingdom. Or they can walk around without tending to personal hygiene and go down the path to their own demise. What shines through here, just like other games in this genre, is the player's ability to shape the story. It fosters creativity and instills a basic knowledge of what's right and what's wrong, without shoving the message down anyone's throat.

Players must be able to multitask to play this game successfully. There are numerous tasks for players to complete, all while keeping sure their Sim characters remain in good health. The controls are easy enough to figure out, with an intuitive point-and-click interface, but the mental gymnastics involved in conquering a kingdom amidst countless simultaneous tasks makes it a challenge to unseasoned players.

As part of the game's sophisticated simulation of human relationships, it is possible for players to have sex, but generally only after the two mates have formed a strong bond. The word "sex" is never used -- instead, the game refers to the act as "WooHoo," and is depicted with the two Sim avatars in the same bed. They remain covered by sheets during the ordeal, though giggling and moaning sounds leave little to imagine as to what they are doing.