Electronic Arts
Windows and Mac
$39.99
ESRB rating: Teen
Review rating: 3.5 stars
I remember how much fun it was to assume the role of someone else while playing the "Life" board game, and "The Sims 3" video game takes this several steps further. This title lets players do everything from pursuing careers to meeting famous people to taking exotic vacations, and "The Sims 3: Seasons" expansion pack brings the game to life by adding realistic weather.
Thomas Frey wrote, "He who controls the weather, controls the world," and this idea definitely applies to "The Sims 3." Players have even more control over their custom world by lengthening or shortening the seasons or even disabling them altogether. It's also possible to activate or deactivate weather on the fly.
Fortunately, this expansion contains much more than just the ability to control weather. For example, large parks are transformed into festival grounds during each season that offer fun activities like kissing booths, snowball fights, face-painting and exploring haunted houses. Just like real life, seasonal holidays are a new addition that gives characters an excuse to miss work and have fun.
New recreational activities are available that add flair to the drudgery of everyday existence. For the first time, players can now have their characters swim in the salty ocean or snowboard in winter playgrounds. Additional activities include: lighting fireworks, building igloos, carving pumpkins and bobbing for apples.
Changing weather drastically affects people in "The Sims 3" just like it does in real life. It's a good idea to check the weather forecast before venturing outside or else characters can get sunburned, become sick, and even die! As a result, the new clothing included in this expansion becomes much more than mere window-dressing. Don't be surprised if you have to change clothes more than once a day.
I hate being constantly reminded to buy additional content in the online store, but anyone who can ... err ... weather this annoyance will surely enjoy playing "The Sims 3: Seasons."
'Far Cry 3'Ubi Soft
Microsoft Xbox 360 (PC, PS3)
$59.99
ESRB rating: Mature
Review rating: 5.0 stars
"Far Cry" was an instant hit because it was one of the first open-world games set in an exotic locale that looked absolutely stunning. "Far Cry 2" introduced some great game mechanics, but the overall package was soured by poor design decisions. I wasn't expecting much from "Far Cry 3," but it has quickly become one of my favorite games this year!
Since the storyline is so interesting, I don't mind that it has nothing to do with previous installments. Players control Jason Brody, an adventurous young man who travels to Rook Island to dabble in extreme sports with his brothers and friends. After they're all captured by a militaristic group of human traffickers, it's up to Jason to become a hardened to save his cohorts.
Despite having a jungle setting, "Far Cry 3" plays like most urban open-world games. Activating radio towers opens up sections of the map, and clearing out enemy emplacements unlocks optional side missions that range from assassinations to vehicle races to hunting animals. Since Rook Island is massive and has a wide variety of locales to discover and explore, there's always something fun to do.
Players can choose between several useful skills when they level up, and each one is represented by a tribal tattoo on Jason's arm. Three skill trees offer a multitude of useful abilities that include: increasing health, performing chain takedowns, advanced knife throwing and much more! I also like how hunting and skinning wild animals provides players with better gear in a realistic manner.
Stealth plays an important role in this game while hunting animals and taking out humans. Both can be tagged using a high-tech camera, and this lets players see their prey through objects. Of course, it's up to each player to decide whether to eliminate enemies silently or with guns blazing!
Despite its mediocre multiplayer modes, "Far Cry 3" is still a fantastic open-world game that shouldn't be missed!
'The Sims 3: Seasons'
Electronic Arts
Windows and Mac
$39.99
ESRB rating: Teen
Review rating: 3.5 stars
I remember how much fun it was to assume the role of someone else while playing the "Life" board game, and "The Sims 3" video game takes this several steps further. This title lets players do everything from pursuing careers to meeting famous people to taking exotic vacations, and "The Sims 3: Seasons" expansion pack brings the game to life by adding realistic weather.
Thomas Frey wrote, "He who controls the weather, controls the world," and this idea definitely applies to "The Sims 3." Players have even more control over their custom world by lengthening or shortening the seasons or even disabling them altogether. It's also possible to activate or deactivate weather on the fly.
Fortunately, this expansion contains much more than just the ability to control weather. For example, large parks are transformed into festival grounds during each season that offer fun activities like kissing booths, snowball fights, face-painting and exploring haunted houses. Just like real life, seasonal holidays are a new addition that gives characters an excuse to miss work and have fun.
New recreational activities are available that add flair to the drudgery of everyday existence. For the first time, players can now have their characters swim in the salty ocean or snowboard in winter playgrounds. Additional activities include: lighting fireworks, building igloos, carving pumpkins and bobbing for apples.
Changing weather drastically affects people in "The Sims 3" just like it does in real life. It's a good idea to check the weather forecast before venturing outside or else characters can get sunburned, become sick, and even die! As a result, the new clothing included in this expansion becomes much more than mere window-dressing. Don't be surprised if you have to change clothes more than once a day.
I hate being constantly reminded to buy additional content in the online store, but anyone who can ... err ... weather this annoyance will surely enjoy playing "The Sims 3: Seasons."
Get Connected