The Sims is one of the gaming sensations of the 21st century. Since the series was launched in 2000, it has spawned a host of successful sequels, and The Sims 3 is the latest and greatest of them all. The series, which took the step from isometric perspective to 'real' 3D with The Sims 2, has now taken another step towards increased realism. The Sims world is now one seamless, continuous map. Your Sims can roam throughout their neighbourhood, visit neighbours’ homes and explore the surroundings. They can stroll downtown to hang out with friends, meet someone new at the park, or run into colleagues on the street. The graphics are enhanced to make the Sims and their environment look far better than ever before.

Creating a Sim is now more sophisticated than ever too. You can create Sims who look like yourself or anyone you know. You can choose your Sim's body-type - thin, fuller figures or muscular, and anything in between. Then fine-tune every aspect of their Sims face, change their hair colour and their skin tone. You can dress your Sim what publisher EA claims to be infinite fashion, make-up, and accessory styles.

Beauty is just skin deep, so you can also select your Sim's character using an innovative trait system. Select from dozens of personality traits and combine up to five traits to make a variety of interesting characters, to populate your neighbourhood. Create an idealistic, creative dreamer who has a hidden daredevil streak, or an insensitive, vapid socialite whose deepest secret is that she is actually a genius. With The Sims 3, it's completely up to you.

Once you've created your Sims, you can give them long term goals, and a career. You give them a job in politics or the army. Make them a criminal or even a scientist. Where they travel to work depends on what job they do. Their job, and how well they do at it, determines how much they earn, and what you can buy with it. You'll need money to expand your home, and buy things like a car or nicer furniture.

The Sims 3 lets you do all the things you like to do in real life (and some things you might not like, like going to school) all without leaving the comfort of your own couch.