I was surprised "The Sims 3" only came with one neighborhood installed. We then got another neighborhood for registering on their web site. Two options are just not enough for us Simmers. Finally EA has changed the situation. "The Sims 3 Create A World" tool puts the terrian in our hands.

It is not an easy tool to learn. It will take patience and practice. Reading the documentation is a must. Lucky for us less talented group, new worlds can be uploaded to the exchange.

• Download "The Sims 3 Create A World" Tool

Wow. "Tropico 3" is everything that I was afraid to imagine it would be. City builders and strategy gamers need to check this game. "Tropico 3" sets you in charge as a dictator (with "elections") of a tropical island. You make decisions on social, economic, and political issues. Your advisor tells about concerns and gives suggestions with humor that will at least make you chuckle. It's fun, beautiful to look at, and gives us refreshing gameplay. Yes, city builders. This is one of the best city builders we've seen in a long time.

• "Tropico 3" Review

"Fish Tycoon" players - I have an alternative for you. Now it's not a perfect substitute, but it will work for those who cannot bring their computer with them all the time. You will need a Facebook account. If you don't yet, bite the bullet. Sign up and make your profile private. You don't have to be found, if you don't want to be.

"Fishville" is the game you'll want to try if you like "Fish Tycoon." Your goal is to make money selling fish from eggs. Fish have to be checked in throughout the day and fed. The longer you want to sell, the more money fish are worth. Biggest downside I've found is, there is no breeding. You cannot breed to make new types of fish.

Play "Fishville"

The first expansion for "The Sims 3" should be on shelves across the United States. "The Sims 3 World Adventures" gives us a lot to, well, explore. Even if you didn't like "The Sims 2 Bon Voyage," the vacation themed expansion for the previous Sims game, this one is worth checking out. The goal oriented play the adventures (or opportunities) adds gives vacations a purpose.

Sims check out the adventures board to see which local needs help. Sometimes they need your help to check out a tomb and find a missing item. Other times you need to make friends and find their real opinion about a business. There are more puzzles in the tombs than I expected. Sims really do need to bring along food and a tent. Time flies while on vacation.

Sims who haven't traveled start out on Visa level 1. This gives them only 3 days of vacation time. This is not nearly long enough. Only way to get more time is visit more often to earn Visa points. My Sims may just be going on more vacations than they ever have before. The food, shopping, and tombs will keep me busy at least until the next expansion comes out.

• "The Sims 3 World Adventures" Screenshots