The Sims Platinum

The Sims" in 3D - Explore an entirely new 3D world that harnesses the full power of all three console systems. The controller-based interface makes controlling your Sims and creating their world a snap.

Level based game play - Start with just one Sim in a shack and move into bigger and better homes as you advance through life's big moments. Meet new neighbors and unlock objects along the way. You can also create your perfect Sims home in an open-ended game play mode.

Play The Sims" with a friend - For the first time, two players can now control their own Sims in the same Sim environments. Play all new two-player games for popularity points and money. Save your house and Sims on a memory card and play them on a friend's system.

PlayStation®2 exclusive content - Meet and interact with new characters and play with new objects not found on any PC version of The Sims. Customize your Sims' appearance to a new level of detail found only on the console systems.

The experience can only be described as like watching Big Brother but with you in control of what happens as you move each of your characters to perform quite mundane tasks like going to the toilet, have a shower, make dinner, watch tv, and sleep to name the most common few. However, performing such tasks are vital to the happiness of your Sim and leaving the bladder meter to go to low for example will result in the Sim wetting themselves, is not a pretty sight, or if you don't let your sim sleep they will simply fall over. It's all quite comical and is the equivalent of a light entertainment computer game, but it's what the game does to the player is what amazes as you begin to care about their welfare like they're some kind of fragile pet and it's then that you realise you have to get out some more.

It's not all about bodily functions though, there's a level based mode curiously entitles 'Get A Life' (you can't help but feel this a note to the gamer) and through this you have to complete certain missions like looking after mum or getting off with a party girl at a roomies party etc which all lead to you unlocking some great products which you can buy for your dream home. If you don't want to bother with that simply complete some of the missions and start on the general game which allows you to create your own sim family and build their dream home from the little money you have. Once your sims show their disgust in your cheap taste in wallpaper it's time to get them a job and make some cash by building up points such as body, logic, charisma, cooking etc by using the domestic appliances you can afford. For example a bench press will build muscle, while a cook book will steadily increase your cooking expertise, so if you want a promotion at work and more money say as a Counter Intelligence Officer then get playing chess to improve your sims logic. This does add another dimension to the sims that is slightly less mundane as you the sim now have another purpose rather than going to the toilet and eating a lot.

The game is slightly more easier than the PC version and in my opinion a little better, there are many items, though for obvious reasons none which you can download from the internet which limits it a bit, but there a few more problems, like with the sim only being able to build a house with one floor, and then there's the time issue, as the 24 hours pass rather quickly trying to benchpress and keep awake can be difficult, and then there's the chore of trying to have a social life and keep a job, it's a juggling act that can irritate. The Sims will not be to every gamers taste but those who enjoy watching soaps and Big Brother can in some ways create the gaming equivalent as the story of each sim unfolds. Even though I'm convinced The Sims is a government experiment and not a game those who still want a break from the noise of guns and explosions will be able to sit back and chill out to the strange little world of the sims.

First of all, the graphics are absolutely great. The play the sims mode is also the very best. This game is very challenging and you need to take care and look after your sims all the time. You can go to work and get a career and also get promotions. Make Friends and Lovers. You can also get married, which is all just like real life.

In addition to this, you can build your own dream house with pool tables, pianos and also basketball hoops. Overall, this is definitely the best game i have ever played and is definitly a must for any gamer.

First of all, the graphics are absolutely great. The play the sims mode is also the very best. This game is very challenging and you need to take care and look after your sims all the time. You can go to work and get a career and also get promotions. Make Friends and Lovers. You can also get married, which is all just like real life.

In addition to this, you can build your own dream house with pool tables, pianos and also basketball hoops. Overall, this is definitely the best game i have ever played and is definitly a must for any gamer.

Far from it. I'd purposely delayed reviewing this game until I'd got a few gaming hours under my belt - I've just finished the single player games, and it's got a lot going for it. The single player game has, I suppose, missions. Each of these has certain tasks you need to complete - ranging from cleaning up your house and making friends, to gaining promotions and increasing the value of your house. Once each of these goals is achieved, you unlock extra items to furnish your home with, as well as new outfits and even careers as you progress through the higher levels.

The two player games are unlocked as you progress through the single player mode - I've currently got around 7 different two player games available to me. Two player modes in such a game are essential.

The new 3D engine works extremely well, and the control system is nice too - takes a bit of getting used to if you're a veteran of the PC game, but it certainly doesn't detract from the fun of the game.

Newcomers may not like the game - having to cater for their Sims toilet habits could put a lot of people off, but if you're new to the world of The Sims, this is a great place to make a start.

One problem I've had with the game is that the game will occasionally run into problems loading in items - the game will stall for long periods of time. It will carry on eventually, but I've missed work on several occasions due to this. Dodgy game? Dodgy disk? My crusty old PS2? Who knows. I'd be interested to know if anyone else has had problems with this too.

Highly recommended.