The Sims Life Stories review

Wonderfully, even the most wholesomely intentioned recreations of humanity can create the oddest events. It’s like wholesomeness just won’t stick. And so, a lovely, clean-cut young lady strolls to the bathroom door to watch as the lovely, clean-cut object of her affections takes a dump. OK, this shocker was more likely created by her need to use the crapper herself - she eventually wandered to the other toilet - than by a love of scatological voyeurism, but still. Our eyebrows still rose.

Life Stories is still The Sims, hence the obsession with regular bowel movements, snacks, naps, showers, chores and all the other wearisome time-sinks of life. But it seriously slims down on all the sofas, PVC conservatories, clothes and hats stuff (for now), which may make you think, “Oh no! I’ll kill myself.” Don’t (for now). Instead, Life Stories throws you into a fully developed house and lifestyle, and tasks you with managing a person’s soap-opera-like affairs. Moore is a love-lorn millionaire tech-nerd, Harlow a walking romantic comedy. Their high-drama, low-maintenance tales are aimed at those lacking the time to hit The Sims 2 and really choose virtual wallpaper well.