In the end, The Sims 3 is not a revolution in terms of its lifestyle simulator gameplay, and I’m very glad of that fact. This is an immaculate rendition of the PC game we’ve come to know and love, made without a single concession for being on a handheld platform.

EA is selling The Sims 3 on the strength of some nebulous, pretend personality system and the idea that it’s built in such a large sandbox you’ll never see the sides. But try to forget all that. It’s The Sims in your pocket, in full, with all the character building and virtual life you could want.

It’s as rich and inventive as ever, and needn’t be trivialised with talk of evolution, or transformation, or groundbreaking technical achievement. This is The Sims, and it’s on your iPhone.

review here