Sims 3 -Island Paradise

by Guest Wed 18 Dec 2013, 03:04

The Sims 3 Island Paradise arrives June 25, and I will of course be covering the new features of the Expansion Pack. This time, I'm summarizing information from press releases to describe the biggest gameplay features of the new EP to inform visitors who'd like to know what to expect when they buy it. I'll link new articles to this page as they come. I cannot start until I've got a copy in my hands, and I don't get it any earlier than any other Sims player. As stated, I compiled this from press releases. The page combines information and screenshots that EA has released over the months since announcing the IP Expansion.

A Broad View of the New Island World - Isla Paradiso

Sunset in Isla Paradiso

Sims can Waterski in Island Paradise

Isla Paradiso
Island Paradise's new town is called Isla Paradiso. This new tropical world has vast seas with islands to explore and make your home. The setting provides for many new activities for Sims that involve the water, like snorkeling, house boats, lifeguards, mermaids, resorts, and beach parties. The World features Uncharted Islands that Sims can unlock to find treasure chests and collectibles, and maybe even meet Mermaids. Sims will be able to use poolside bars, sleep in bungalows and walk across hot coals at beach parties. The setting is there, and this is yet another Sims 3 World that will look great with the Seasons Expansion Pack. EA didn't disappoint in making a beautiful island setting for us, and players who preorder the limited edition through Origin will get loads of extra content, such as the Island Survival pack that lets you dress your Sims as though they're surviving a shipwreck on a desert island. Beach activities have been expanded with more ways to have fun and relax in the sunshine, like building sandcastles with the kids, sunbathing on beach towels, splashing in the ocean water, and riding in paddleboats.

A Sailboat cruises Isla Paradiso's Waves

Sailing to an Uncharted Island, Treasure Perhaps?

A Sleek Speedboat Piloted by a Sim

Island Hopping: Getting Around
The island setting of IP means boats were a necessity. All the major kinds of boats you'd expect to see are here: row boats, paddleboats, sailboats, and speedboats are all available to own and operate. Judging by the looks of the island there will be more of these going around than there are cars. Sims on House Boats may even find the pizza delivery guy pulling up on a jet ski to bring their meal. Set sail on the ocean and search for secret coves and uncharted islands with buried treasure. You may even find a new and beautiful location to set up a new Resort.

[Isla Paradiso's Main Island Has Beautiful Fishing Spots

A Houseboat Out to Sea

New Build Options: Water Building and House Boats
With patch 1.55, The Sims 3 has been updated to allow all players to build on the water, much as Seasons' patch brought Sims the ability to swim in the ocean. Now, beautiful docks, resorts and house boats may be built out into the water. House Boats come in a variety of sizes and shapes, but allow your Sim to live on the water just as they would in a home on land. The largest available house boat size wil be 20x15.

[The Kraken Gets Very Angry

Sharks are Dangerous to a Sim Scuba Diving

Sims Can Dive for Pearls, Seashells and Sunken Treasure in Island Paradise

Diving Skill: Snorkeling and Scuba
Sims can now explore beneath the water with the new Snorkeling and Scuba skills. This means that EA has included a variety of sea life that Sims can interact with, sea shells and bottom-dwelling fish. including Be wary as Sharks may want to eat your Sim for lunch. As Sims explore new dive spots, they will level the skill and it will allow them to find sunken treasure. Down below, Sims can dive for pearls and sell seashells. Sims who wish can explore underwater caves to search for treasures, but all must be wary of the Kraken that lives in its cave beneath the ocean depths. Sims can drown, running out of air, and will not be able to dive constantly, as a moodlet will block them -- but we all know testing cheats will probably take care of that. The new Steel Lungs Lifetime Reward should help with this as well.

Sims Can Play the Role of Lifeguard to Save Swimmers

Mermaid is the New Occult in the Expansion

Mermaids
Mermaids are the new life state available to Sims, and your scuba diver may encounter one beneath the ocean. Naturally, Mermaids' tails will change to legs when they want to walk on dry land. They have a hydration motive instead of hygiene, meaning they need to encounter water once in a while to be healthy. Mermaids will make the best divers because of their natural ability to breathe underwater and that they swim faster than normal Sims. Evil Mermaids can summon a school of Sharks to attack Sims in the water. It would appear that Sims can use a Lifetime Reward to become a Mermaid.

Building a Resort with the New Patch's Build Mode Features

A Luxurious Resort on the Island

Another Beautiful Resort

Resorts
Sims can visit Resorts in Isla Paradiso and enjoy the amenities they offer. Managing a Resort is one of the new money-making options available to players with Island Paradise. You will meet your customers' needs, set prices and design new additions to your resort to expand the business. You'll also be able to hire staff to tend to your guests and keep the place clean. Staff uniforms can be customized through CAS, which lets you set the look from casual to formal. Your Resort will gain in star rating to show its success, and your goal will be to attract visitors and rake in the Simoleons. High ranked Resorts may want to set up VIP areas for rich Sims visiting their hotel. Just don't let the place get too dirty or you'll find it infested with cockroaches. It sounds like a fun management simulation packed into the game, which reminds me of Sims 2 Open for Business.
Follow the link to see our massive nine-page guide to managing Resorts in Island Paradise.

Managing a Huge Resort is Going to be a Fun New Money-Making Option

A Huge Houseboat with the Island's Statue in the Distance

Uncharted Islands
Isla Paradiso features 8 Uncharted Islands that have to be unlocked. One can be accessed simply by sailing up to it, but others require you to complete an objective of some sort. There is an opportunity chain you can get from resort desk clerks by asking for an adventure, making a five-star resort of your own, or finding a message in a bottle that unlocks an island instantly. Divers get great access to these, being able to unlock two Islands easily - one for them by going through a cave, and another through befriending a mermaid.
Lifeguards
The Expansion Pack's new Profession is the Lifeguard. You'll be paid to rescue Sims from the sea and give them CPR if necessary. While the Profession isn't a big money-maker, it is required for completionists because 35 rescues unlocks and Uncharted Island.

Moderator edit: Topic moved to "The Sims (3) chit-chat". Wink

- Carlos