I've been playing Virtual Families for a long time. I thought I'd like to try The Sims. I've been shopping for it, but it sure seems complicated. Can anyone help me make a simple beginning? Thanks in advance, Teddo

I have The Sims and Sims 2. Found S2 was easier to play especially in moving around. There is a story line that can be followed and/or you can create your own characters and story.
I gave up on The Sims since the movement was, for lack of a better way of putting it, so square.
I really recommend S2 if you can find it; I think EA has it for about $20.
I'm hoping to get Sims 3 in the near future.

Have you tried the Virtual Villagers? I found them as interesting to play as VF and BF has them all.

If you do need some beginning help you can email me since it might be a little to lengthy to post as a spoiler.

Thanks so much,3dobermans. I've played all the Virtual games and thoroughly enjoyed them. I'm off to look for S2. Teddo

3dobermans, is 'virtual villagers' similar to sims?

Keep an eye out for a "deluxe" edition, as they usually include some expansions with additional content for a reasonable price.

They are notorious for releasing the basic Sims game and then piling on expansion after expansion, when really they could have included a lot of that content in the original release. It's quite the cash grab, but since they are already onto The Sims 3, you should be able to grab a version of The Sims 2 for cheap.

Sometimes the expansion content is just items, but other times it alters gameplay in a useful way.

Hugh, Virtual Villagers are casual games with puzzles to solve. They are more cartoon looking(though a little more detailed than a cartoon) than the Sims games but also cute for lack of a better word.
The Sims characters are more real to life looking though both types of games involve bringing the tribe or Sims along in life.

Hugh - I've been playing Virtual Families. You can get an hour free play on any of the Virtual peeps. They're not nearly as involved as the Sims, but fun nevertheless. Any of them will keep you busy. Virtual Families only demands that they be fed, or they die. They need to procreate or the family line will die off. The Virtual Villager games are more involved. I started with them. Teddo

Thanks, guys. Sounds fun

I bought the Sims 3 during the past Christmas holidays. Caught it on sale at Wal Mart for $25.00. Been playing the Sims for years. Anyway I hated Sims 3 so much I uninstalled it and went back to Sims 2. IMO 2 is much better than 3.