Common Sense Media Review
By Mark Raby
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Become a knight or an assassin in story-based quest sim.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 14+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Play
Videos and Photos
The Sims Medieval
What's It About?
THE SIMS MEDIEVAL looks and feels like the widely popular The Sims games that came before it, but with a completely new theme and the addition of story-based quests. The overall result is that while familiar, it is a brand new game. Unlike previous entries in the life simulation series, Medieval presents players with a variety of quests that take them throughout a virtual kingdom, facing off against enemy characters and ultimately emerging as the hero among villagers to take reign of the land, bringing prosperity to all. The same core concept from previous Sims titles is here, but instead of increasing work-related skills like computer savvy and book smarts, players work to improve their attack levels and sword fighting skills. Ultimately, players carve out the story of how the battle for kingdom dominance plays out, but the mere fact that there is an end goal makes it a completely different type of game than the prior open-ended Sims experiences.
Is It Any Good?
Anyone who enjoyed previous games in the Sims franchise and who has a penchant for medieval lore will no doubt find The Sims Medieval to be a thoroughly enjoyable experience. There is so much to explore here that it almost feels like more than one game. In addition to being a full-fledged Sims experience, it is also practically a full-scale RPG. The vast kingdom is gradually revealed to the players as they complete quests, and every step of the way there is something new to explore. This isn't like prior titles in the series where players had to work with a limited space of real estate. The virtual playground in this game is huge. It is the first real integration of the sophisticated Sims human simulation experience within a more traditional story-based video game experience, and the end result is a thoroughly enjoyable product. Plus each time you play through it, it provides you with a different and new experience.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the use of virtual avatars. Why did you design it as you did and what does your avatar reveal about the real you?
What can you do in a virtual world that you can't do in the real world?
How does a game like Sims Medieval help you express your own creativity?
Game Details
- Platforms : Mac , Windows
- Pricing structure :
- Available online? : Not available online
- Publisher : Electronic Arts
- Release date : March 22, 2011
- Genre : Simulation
- ESRB rating :
- Last updated : November 11, 2020
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