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The Sims 3: Hidden Springs is a downloadable add-on world for The Sims 3 for the PC, and adds an extra neighbourhood to the virtual life simulation game. The Sims 3 is a relatively open-ended game, where you create your own virtual people and guide them about their daily lives - climbing the career ladder, falling in love and growing old.
The game is entirely controlled with the mouse, making it relatively easy to pick up and play - although there is a fair amount of reading involved, from the menus that let you order your Sims around to the various opportunities and job promotions that crop up, so reading is pretty much a necessity. While there are plenty of tutorials and explanations available if they're struggling, again it's all text so they will need to be able to read fairly confidently to get the most out of The Sims 3.
The Sims is relatively slow paced, so those who prefer the action of Mario and the Lego games may get bored quicker than those who are willing to put in the time in games like Harvest Moon or Animal Crossing.
As a game that simulates all aspects of life, it's to be expected that the Sims 3: Hidden Springs will contain at least some mature content. However, as an expansion pack, there's nothing here that goes above and beyond what was seen on the Sims 3.
First things first, the violence is very much of a tongue in cheek, slapstick affair - basically, if your Sims aren't too keen on each other, they may get into a fight, where the pair are engulfed in a cloud of dust and random limbs periodically poke out the sides as they 'brawl'. As for sex - which is known as 'Woo Hoo' in the world of The Sims, two adult Sims (either opposite sex or the same sex) can choose to 'Woo Hoo' or 'Try For Baby' when interacting with a double bed. At which point, they both dive under the covers and roll around unseen under the covers, giving off fireworks, rose petals and giggles as they get down to business. They then emerge in their underwear/pyjamas and nod off to sleep.
The Sims 3: Hidden Springs, and the base game, The Sims 3, are entirely single-player games, with no multiplayer components whatsoever.
Age Ratings
Format Reviewed: PC
