It is no secret that The Sims is one of the biggest video game franchises in existence. Since its inception in 2000, The Sims series pioneered the life simulation genre of video games and continues to be the top game in that category.
Starting as a subseries to the wider Sim series mainly composed of SimCity games, The Sims has released four main base games, with many expansion packs and stuff packs in between. While most simmers are primarily familiar with the main entries, it is worth knowing that The Sims franchise has many spin-off games that go beyond the typical life-sim, sandbox-style gameplay of the main series.
The Sims Online
Shortly after the success of The Sims, EA and Maxis developed The Sims Online, a massively multiplayer online game set in the Sims universe. In the game, players are offered online play with others via PC. There were twelve cities for a player to choose from, and they must train necessary skills to unlock interactions and careers. While The Sims Online saw some success, online gaming was still in its infancy back then, though EA has been considering bringing back online multiplayer in The Sims. Unfortunately, The Sims Online was surrounded by controversy due to players setting up virtual brothels and exchanging WooHoo for Simoleons. The Sims Online was later rebranded as EA Land before it was permanently shut down in 2008.
The Sims Bustin' Out
In 2003, Maxis released The Sims Bustin' Out for consoles and handheld devices such as Game Boy Advance and N-Gage. It is worth noting that while both the console and handheld versions share the same title, both versions had some differences in story and gameplay. Unlike most entries in The Sims franchise, The Sims Bustin' Out departed from life simulation and introduced adventure gameplay.
The Urbz: Sims in the City
A sequel to The Sims Bustin' Out called The Urbz: Sims in the City in 2004. Like its predecessor, the game was released to consoles and handheld devices, with each version featuring a different story and gameplay. However, it is worth noting that the console version of The Urbz: Sims in the City is more immersive than its handheld counterpart. The game is set in Urbzville, divided into nine districts. The game's primary objective is to build up one's reputation with other Sims to gain fame and advance to other districts.
The Sims 2: Castaway
In 2004, the main series saw the release of The Sims 2, which introduced massive improvements compared to its predecessor. The Sims 2 even features several Easter eggs and references that are easy to miss. Similar to The Sims, The Sims 2 saw enormous success resulting in the release of numerous expansion packs and the spin-off game The Sims 2: Castaway. In Castaway, players take the role of a group of Sims shipwrecked and trapped on a deserted island known as Shipwreck Island. The game's main objective is to find other Sims, explore other islands, and eventually get rescued.
The Sims Stories
Next up is The Sims Stories, a lineup of games developed to be the laptop-friendly versions of The Sims 2. Throughout its lifespan, EA and Maxis released three titles under The Sims Stories lineup: Life Stories, Pet Stories, and Castaway Stories. Each title follows the same pattern where players perform specific tasks for the game's main story to unfold. It is worth remembering that the stories featured in The Sims Storiesdon't blend into the overall plot of the main franchise. The Sims Stories also features a Free Play mode with no story to fulfill, making it a watered-down version of The Sims 2.
The Sims Medieval
The first and only spin-off game based on the same engine as The Sims 3 is The Sims Medieval. As its title suggests, The Sims Medieval puts players in a medieval setting, though it is essential to know that it is not simply The Sims 3 in the medieval period. Instead, The Sims Medieval's gameplay revolves around the premise of building a prosperous kingdom by fulfilling certain quests and objectives. In the game, players must switch between several Hero Sims, consisting of monarchs, priests, wizards, knights, and many others. In 2011, The Sims Medieval received an adventure pack titled Pirates and Nobles, making it one of the most successful spin-off games in The Sims franchise.
