Sims franchise came in its first form as part of the SimCity collection of games from 1989, before officially becoming human-based gameplay with the launch of The Sims series in 2000. It's still going strong in 2022 with the release of the new Sims 4 expansion pack High School Years. Since its inception, nine forms of The Sims spin-offs have been released.
These games deviate from the release of The Sims 1-4, not as any kind of expansion pack, but as separate life simulation games with their own story and gameplay. These spin-offs have been met with various reactions from fans and critics in their ability to match up with the mainline games of The Sims series.
The Sims 2 Castaway - 68 (Average)
A spin-off of The Sims 2, The Sims 2: Castaway was released in 2007 across multiple formats. The game has the same animation style and basic needs system as The Sims 2, but the gameplay surrounds six player-created sims surviving island life. crafting their own shelter, tools, and clothing while making social connections that will help them escape the island.
The game received an average score of 68/100 across all platforms by critics. The spin-off was praised for its amusing concept and offering fresh gameplay from the traditional Sims format. However, it was criticized for offering little change as a spin-off, making it closer to Sims expansion packs than a stand-alone game.
MySims - 68 (Average)
MySims offered the biggest deviation yet for Sims games - both in of style and being released exclusively on Nintendo. Rather than being free-to-roam, players are tasked with reviving a worn-down town, slowly building community lots with advice from the mayor, and helping the town grow bigger in size, population, and quality.
The game was a hit with fans, spawning five sequels, offering some of the best challenges for Sims players looking for new gameplay, from music festivals to racing. It is, however, rather limiting in the freedom of gameplay compared to other Sims games, where players are constantly burdened with tasks to complete.
The Sims Online - 70 (Average)
The Sims Online, launched in 2oo2, was The Sims' first venture into both online and multiplayer gameplay. Players and play as a single sim tasked with building their skills, which rewards them with unlocking greater social interactions and new animations. Players can earn simoleons by working in traditional careers (e.g, restaurant worker), or engaging in the multiplayer online market, where objects were sold between players.
The game was a long-running Sims project, being popular with players all the way until its closure in 2008. The game's patch updates were received well by fans which kept the spin-off alive for so long. The gameplay, however, was largely chatroom based and lacked the depth of the main Sims game.
The Urbz: Sims In The City - 70 (Average)
The Urbz was a console-based spin-off that had gameplay focusing on young single adult sims trying to make it in the city of Urbzville. Players can customize their sim to their own personal style and meet like-minded sims in the social groups the Richies, Artsies, Streeties and Nerdies. The goal is to gain "reputation" points to improve relationships, earn cash, and get access to parties in the city.
Released in 2004, The Urbz is a gloriously 2000s-style game, filled with all the y2k fashion, home decor, and social activities. The shift from the family-based gameplay of the first two Sims games was welcomed by fans as a refreshing form of gameplay, although the emphasis on one singular goal of reputation is repetitive and relies on micromanagement.
The Sims Social - 70 (Average)
A spiritual sequel to The Sims Online, The Sims Social was available via Facebook game launched in 2o11. Players engage with their Facebook friends as singular sims and follow the typical Sims goals of earning simoleons, working your way up the career ladder, and decorating your home for your Facebook friends to visit.
As is typical with a Facebook game, The Sims Social had DLC content that costs money, which is generally disliked by gamers, especially when a game has not traditionally had content. Despite this, Sims fans welcomed the return of the online multiplayer format.
The Sims: Life Stories - 72 (Average)
The Sims: Life Stories was designed for those who wanted to play a laptop-friendly version of The Sims 2. While using a similar model, the game uses a story-based format where the player completes various "chapters", playing as one of two characters, Riley Harlow and Vincent Moore, before opening up to a free-play mode similar to The Sims 2.
Arguably the most successful Sims spin-off, Life Stories was popular enough to spawn two sequels, Pet Stories and Castaway Stories. Some players may dislike having to perform specific goals, but the storytelling was well received for adding an extra level of drama and lore to the average Sims game, as well as adapting to the ever-increasing popularity of laptop gaming.
The Sims Medieval - 78 (Average)
An offshoot of The Sims 3, this Middle-Ages era game is a form of quest-based gameplay where players are tasked with completing a chosen ambition for the Kingdom, playing as a rotation of "hero" sims - knights, monarchs, etc. The game mixes story-based gameplay with free play where quest completion offers the chance to explore the world, earn money, and build platonic and romantic relationships.
The Sims Medieval still has a following to this day, beloved by top Sims YouTubers and featuring in many videos due to its loveable quirky gameplay and unique style to The Sims. Unlike most spin-offs, its popularity means that it's still available on Origin. It's no surprise when the game is so fleshed out as a standalone game and immersive in its medieval setting.
The Sims Freeplay - 80 (Generally Favorable)
Designed for mobile gaming, The Sims Freeplay is an ongoing spin-off game that uses real-time - highly unusual for any Sims format. Players can control a growing neighborhood of up to 34 sims that can age from baby to elder, and are primarily driven by real-time energy, which can be replenished by periods of rest and energy "cupcakes" from spending LP. The game also uses a "wants" system, similar to older Sims games like The Sims 2, where extra XP is granted for fulfilling sims' wishes.
The game is a significant improvement on previous online spin-offs, offering players the chance to choose their neighborhoods and play as a household of multiple sims, as well as offering a variety of careers and lifestyle options. The real-time gameplay and content have been the subject of criticism, but the game has been active for over ten years, highlighting its addictive and in-depth gameplay for its fans.
The Sims Bustin’ Out - 81 (Generally Favorable)
Bustin' Out was released on console and follows two types of gameplay. It offers The Sims 1-style Freeplay, incorporating much of the PC version's gameplay (as well as their expansion packs), or the task of "bustin' out" the neighborhood after Malcolm Landgraab unfairly repossesses their objects. Players are tasked with completing multiple careers as different sims to reclaim their possessions, and eventually dethrone Landgraab and claim his mansion. The game even offered an online mode with multiplayer gameplay.
The most critically acclaimed spin-off, the game is endlessly entertaining during both story mode and freeplay, offering exciting careers such as rock star or gangster with engaging tasks to complete that avoid becoming tedious. Bustin' Out was regarded as not only a well-rounded standalone game compared to The Sims 1, but an improvement in some aspects, downplaying the incessant needs fulfillment of the original PC game and offering exciting missions and interconnected neighborhood storytelling.