Summary
All the way back in 2009,The Sims 3was released. Now the third game inThe Simsfranchise is celebrating its 15-year anniversary.The Simsfranchise has gone a long way since 2009, withThe Sims 3’s final expansion releasing in 2013, andThe Sims 4releasing in 2014 (which is still receiving regular updates and new content today).
The Sims 3wasa fantastic addition toThe Simsfranchise, and there is one element that makes the game stand out 15 years later:The Sims 3’s open world feature.The Sims 3’s open world was an entertaining addition filled with fun exploration and plenty of things to do, meaning this open world is still arguably the best in the franchise.

Why The Sims 3 Has the Best World in the Main-line Franchise
The Sims 3 is the Only Main Sims Game That Has a Proper Open World
The Sims 3could be considered revolutionary forThe Simswhen it was released in 2009. Previously,players were limited to one area inThe Sims, which was usually the Sim’s house. Players in bothThe Sims 1andThe Sims 2had to go through a loading screen if they wanted to visit another area or another Sims’ house.The Sims 3changed that by adding an open world to the franchise.
The open world was a great benefit to the player experience ofThe Sims 3because it allowed players to seamlessly move around the town map and explore all the nooks and crannies the map offered. Of course, there were still some loading screens inThe Sims 3, but players didn’t need to go through it when visiting another location or house within the town map.
The Sims 4 Took a Step Backwards Regarding the Open World
Despite the advances inThe Sims 3,The Sims 4reverted many open world elements. The town map wasn’t an open world anymore, and became somewhat lackluster due to its limited freedom. Players could seamlessly move around within the street that their Sim’s house was located in, and visit locations within the street, but to go to another street, they had to go through a loading screen.
Due toThe Sims 4taking that step backwards,The Sims 3comparatively excelled in its open world. Although there is plenty to do inThe Sims 4, the open world element ofThe Sims 3adds a far more seamless experience to the life simulation franchise.There is plenty to do inThe Sims 3even if it lacks its successor’s decade of DLC support.
There is Plenty to Do in The Sims 3’s Open World
The Sims 3introduced collectibles for players to find that would be scattered throughout the open world, from rocks and gems to butterflies and insects. There were even seeds that players could find, which they could plant to grow some surprise flora in their yard.
As the expansions forThe Sims 3rolled out, more and more collectibles were added toThe Sims 3,such as small pets. Players could even go out into the wild and befriend animals such ascats and dogs inThe Sims 3and adopt them. AlthoughThe Sims 3now shows its age, it certainly has a lot to offer. Its use of an open world design makes it a truly spectacular game, and futureSimsgames could learn a lot fromThe Sims 3’s open world.
The Sims 3
WHERE TO PLAY
Play with Life.Create the lives you’ve always wanted!Ready to live a freer, more creative life? In The Sims™ 3, you can let your fantasies run wild as you design your ideal world. Start with your Sim, refining each shape, color and personality trait until you get the precise person that pleases you. Design your dream home, but don’t let a grid limit you; place, rotate and stack furniture and walls freely and to your heart’s content. Once the “hard work” is over, it’s time to be a mentor. Guide your Sim’s path through life, developing a career, finding love, and pursuing dreams and desires. Spending time with friends and family is just as important as mastering painting or accumulating knowledge. Take things to the next level and record movies of your Sim’s adventures and share them with the ever-growing and thriving community. With a huge catalog of expansion packs and fun objects to discover, there is no end to the possibilities awaiting you. It all begins here; your adventure awaits!