Parents' Guide to

The Sims Unleashed

By Common Sense Media, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 13+

Complex game is purrfect for animal lovers.

Game Windows , Mac 2003
The Sims Unleashed Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this game.

Community Reviews

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age 12+

Based on 1 parent review

Allie P.
Allie P. Adult
May 22, 2016
age 12+

Enjoyable

This game is enjoyable enough and the addition of pets is fun, unfortunately, they are unable to be controlled. Though they don't die of old age, they can die from starvation and fires. When this happens, the Grim Reaper comes and makes scary noises. The game adds a racoon, which doesn't cause too many problems, but the music that plays is quite scary. Other than that, the game is fun.

This title has:

Easy to play/use
Too much sex
See all 1 parent review

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?

Our review:
Parents say (1 ):
Kids say (3 ):

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.

Talk to Your Kids 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?

Game Details

  • Platforms: Windows , Mac
  • Available online?: Not available online
  • Publisher: Electronic Arts
  • Release date: July 9, 2003
  • Genre: Simulation
  • ESRB rating: T
  • Last updated: November 4, 2015

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