Skip to main content
GamesRadar+ GamesRadar+ The Games, Movies, TV & Comics You Love
UK EditionUK US EditionUS CA EditionCanada AU EditionAustralia
Sign in
  • View Profile
  • Sign out
  • Games
    • Game Insights
      • Games News
      • Games Features
      • Games Reviews
      • Games Guides
      • The Big Preview
      • On The Radar
      • Indie Spotlight
      • Future Games Show
      • Golden Joystick Awards
    • Genres
      • Action Games
      • RPGs
      • Action RPGs
      • Adventure Games
      • Third Person Shooters
      • FPS Games
    • Platforms
      • PS5
      • Xbox Series X
      • PC
      • Nintendo Switch
      • Nintendo Switch 2
      • Tabletop Gaming
    • Franchises
      • Grand Theft Auto
      • Pokemon
      • Assassin's Creed
      • Monster Hunter
      • Fortnite
      • Cyberpunk
      • Red Dead
      • The Elder Scrolls
      • The Sims
  • Entertainment
    • TV Shows
      • TV News
      • TV Reviews
      • Anime Shows
      • Sci-Fi Shows
      • Superhero Shows
      • Animated Shows
      • Marvel TV Shows
      • Star Wars TV Shows
      • DC TV Shows
    • Movies
      • Movie News
      • Movie Reviews
      • Big Screen Spotlight
      • Superhero Movies
      • Action Movies
      • Anime Movies
      • Sci-Fi Movies
      • Horror Movies
      • Marvel Movies
      • DC Movies
    • Streaming
      • Apple TV Plus
      • Disney Plus
      • Netflix
      • HBO
      • Amazon Prime Video
      • Hulu
    • Comics
      • Marvel Comics
      • DC Comics
    • Toys & Collectibles
    • Lego
    • Dungeons and Dragons
    • Merch
  • Hardware
    • Insights
      • Hardware News
      • Hardware Reviews
      • Hardware Features
    • Computing
      • Desktop PCs
      • Laptops
      • Handhelds
    • Peripherals
      • Headsets & Headphones
      • TVs & Monitors
      • Gaming Mice
      • Gaming Keyboards
      • Gaming Chairs
      • Speakers & Audio
    • Accessories & Tech
      • Gaming Controllers
      • Tech
      • SSDs & Hard Drives
      • VR
      • Accessories
      • Retro
  • Deals
    • Game Deals
    • Tech Deals
    • TV Deals
    • Buying Guides
  • Video
  • Newsletters
    • Quizzes
    • About Us
    • How to pitch to us
    • How we score
    • Newsarama
    • Retro Gamer
    • Total Film
Total Film
  • home
  • Games
    • View Games
      • Games News
      • Games Features
      • Games Reviews
      • Games Guides
      • The Big Preview
      • On The Radar
      • Indie Spotlight
      • Future Games Show
      • Golden Joystick Awards
      • Action Games
      • RPGs
      • Action RPGs
      • Adventure Games
      • Third Person Shooters
      • FPS Games
    • Platforms
      • View Platforms
      • PS5
      • Xbox Series X
      • PC
      • Nintendo Switch
      • Nintendo Switch 2
      • Tabletop Gaming
      • Grand Theft Auto
      • Pokemon
      • Assassin's Creed
      • Monster Hunter
      • Fortnite
      • Cyberpunk
      • Red Dead
      • The Elder Scrolls
      • The Sims
  • Entertainment
    • View Entertainment
    • TV Shows
      • View TV Shows
      • TV News
      • TV Reviews
      • Anime Shows
      • Sci-Fi Shows
      • Superhero Shows
      • Animated Shows
      • Marvel TV Shows
      • Star Wars TV Shows
      • DC TV Shows
    • Movies
      • View Movies
      • Movie News
      • Movie Reviews
      • Big Screen Spotlight
      • Superhero Movies
      • Action Movies
      • Anime Movies
      • Sci-Fi Movies
      • Horror Movies
      • Marvel Movies
      • DC Movies
    • Streaming
      • View Streaming
      • Apple TV Plus
      • Disney Plus
      • Netflix
      • HBO
      • Amazon Prime Video
      • Hulu
    • Comics
      • View Comics
      • Marvel Comics
      • DC Comics
    • Toys & Collectibles
    • Lego
    • Dungeons and Dragons
    • Merch
  • Hardware
    • View Hardware
      • Hardware News
      • Hardware Reviews
      • Hardware Features
      • Desktop PCs
      • Laptops
      • Handhelds
    • Peripherals
      • View Peripherals
      • Headsets & Headphones
      • TVs & Monitors
      • Gaming Mice
      • Gaming Keyboards
      • Gaming Chairs
      • Speakers & Audio
      • Gaming Controllers
      • Tech
      • SSDs & Hard Drives
      • VR
      • Accessories
      • Retro
  • Deals
    • View Deals
    • Game Deals
    • Tech Deals
    • TV Deals
    • Buying Guides
  • Video
  • Newsletters
    • Quizzes
    • About Us
    • How to pitch to us
    • How we score
    • Newsarama
    • Retro Gamer
    • Total Film
Total Film
Gaming Magazines
Gaming Magazines
Why subscribe?
  • Subscribe from just £3
  • Takes you closer to the games, movies and TV you love
  • Try a single issue or save on a subscription
  • Issues delivered straight to your door or device
From$12
Subscribe now
Don't miss these
inZOI Character Studio trailer screenshot showing a young woman with ginger-y hair and a light baseball cap smiling to the side
Simulation Games inZOI tells The Sims 4 wait, I've got this – actual schools are coming to the life sim for free, in a move fans of EA's own game have waited 11 years for: "We aim to create a real school – not a rabbit hole"
Paralives
Simulation Games After telling fans not to "expect hundreds of hours of gameplay" and delaying their indie life sim, Paralives devs unveil new footage that leaves the community worried: "Oh boy"
The Sims 4 screenshot showing a young woman with shoulder-length wavy brown hair and an academic green coat, her expression surprised
The Sims The Sims 4 legend behind piracy tool rendering nearly $1,500 of DLC totally free quits town and takes his loot with 'em, players pay tribute as copycats immediately try to charge for alternatives
Best simulator games: a screenshot of a plan at sunset in the game Microsoft Flight Simulator.
Simulation Games The 15 best simulator games to play right now
A woman with swords walks through fire in Where Winds Meet
Open World Games Where Winds Meet review: "Sekiro-style combat meets seemingly every videogame idea ever in this bloated but fun open-world martial arts adventure"
Old Schol RuneScape sailor in bright white light
MMO Games MMO player endures "heavy chest pains" and struggles "to stay awake" as his girlfriend brings him food during 4-day grind to become first in the world to reach max level
Captain Wayne screenshot showing the titular character
FPS Games This nautical take on the boomer shooter is filled with 90s cartoon absurdity, and it's already one of my favourite games of the year after only playing an hour
The Sims 4 screenshot of eight Sims with varying facial expressions standing against a blue and green backdrop.
The Sims 10 Games like The Sims 4 that will let you live a virtual life
Starsand Island screenshot of dark haired female protagonist looking at flowers
RPGs Some Chinese devs played Stardew Valley and loved it, but wanted something more "carefree" – now their anime life sim RPG is tearing up Steam Next Fest, and it's hard to put down
inZOI Island Getaway
Simulation Games inZOI is getting multiplayer, and the Sims 4 competitor's director says it's all thanks to South Korea's president: "He suggested I make inZOI a multiplayer game"
inZOI Character Studio trailer screenshot showing a young woman with ginger-y hair and a light baseball cap smiling to the side
Simulation Games After rising to "Mostly Positive" Steam reviews following chill Stardew Valley-like DLC, inZOI devs know you want "realistic tragedy, the darker sides of life, and unpredictable dramatic events" and more in future updates
Keyart for Demonschool showing Faye's face split into pieces for artistic effect
RPGs Demonschool review: "This Persona-inspired RPG is full of fun, flair, and ready to chomp away at your free time"
inZOI Halloween update
Simulation Games After winning fans back with Stardew Valley-like DLC, inZOI continues its redemption arc by following in The Sims 4's footsteps with a focus on the afterlife
Key art for Dying Light: The Beast showing Kyle Crane stunning an infected undead zombie in waist high water with a taser while raising a machete to finish the job - all while more infected hands reach out of the dense foliage towards him
Survival Horror Games Dying Light: The Beast review – "A playful sandbox of horror and mayhem with a surprising amount of depth"
Paralives
Simulation Games "Don't expect hundreds of hours of gameplay": Sims 4 competitor Paralives unveils early access plans, showing what "won't be ready for launch" and what's coming "within the next 2 years"
Trending
  • Fallout Season 2
  • New Games for 2025
  • Gift Guides
  1. Games
  2. Simulation
  3. The Sims
  4. The Sims 3 Island Paradise

You can fist-fight a shark in The Sims 3: Island Paradise

Features
By Hollander Cooper published 30 May 2013

Come sail away, come sail away

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

Seriously, like Jaws

Seriously, like Jaws

Earlier today, if we told you that you'd be reading a preview of a Sims expansion, we bet you'd have thought we were crazy. But guess what? That was before you knew that the next expansion was The Sims 3: Island Paradise, wherein you're allowed to become the manager of an island resort, build a houseboat, have sex in an all-in-one bathroom, and beat the hell out of a shark. Well, you can do all of those things and more, so maybe it's about time you locked away your Sims 3 prejudice and prepared to embrace the island life.

Island Paradise is a massive departure from past Sims expansions. In it, you're sent off to the world of Isla Paradiso, a set of tropical islands covered with secrets to find and vacations to be had. After building your house boat you can sail around the different islands, choosing to dock and explore or simply wander around in any one of the ocean-ready vehicles in the game. If you're feeling entrepreneurial you can even start your own resort, building it from the ground up to create the perfect getaway.

And if you're feeling so bold you can cruise out to the sea with your boat, drop anchor, and dive into the deeps. There's coral to find, fish to capture, and... sharks to fight. We watched as a Sim tried to avoid a shark, but was thrust into a vicious fight with the predator. After a few ferocious seconds of slashing and clawing the Sim remained. The shark? Not so lucky. Looking forward to battling some sharks of your own? Well, then you should swing back this summer for our full review of Island Paradise.

Check out the following slides for additional images and more information.

Page 1 of 11
Page 1 of 11
Build and improve your resort in any way you see fit.

Build and improve your resort in any way you see fit.

Page 2 of 11
Page 2 of 11
You can even customize your employee's outfits.

You can even customize your employee's outfits.

Page 3 of 11
Page 3 of 11
The Limited Edition comes with some cool items, in case fighting sharks isn't enough incentive.

The Limited Edition comes with some cool items, in case fighting sharks isn't enough incentive.

Page 4 of 11
Page 4 of 11
Bored? Pick up some shells!

Bored? Pick up some shells!

Page 5 of 11
Page 5 of 11
Changing the chlorination of your pool is allowed, proving how deep this simulation goes.

Changing the chlorination of your pool is allowed, proving how deep this simulation goes.

Page 6 of 11
Page 6 of 11
Customize your pool with waterslides to get more visitors.

Customize your pool with waterslides to get more visitors.

Page 7 of 11
Page 7 of 11
Good luck not belting out "Come Sail Away" while you ride around in your boat.

Good luck not belting out "Come Sail Away" while you ride around in your boat.

Page 8 of 11
Page 8 of 11
Look out for sharks! Or, rather, look for sharks!

Look out for sharks! Or, rather, look for sharks!

Page 9 of 11
Page 9 of 11
You can own multiple houses on Isla Paradisa

You can own multiple houses on Isla Paradisa

Page 10 of 11
Page 10 of 11
Waterskiing is a skill, and the more you do it, the better you are.

Waterskiing is a skill, and the more you do it, the better you are.

Page 11 of 11
Page 11 of 11
CATEGORIES
PC Gaming Platforms
Hollander Cooper
Hollander Cooper
Social Links Navigation

Hollander Cooper was the Lead Features Editor of GamesRadar+ between 2011 and 2014. After that lengthy stint managing GR's editorial calendar he moved behind the curtain and into the video game industry itself, working as social media manager for EA and as a communications lead at Riot Games. Hollander is currently stationed at Apple as an organic social lead for the App Store and Apple Arcade. 

Read more
The Sims 4 Adventure Awaits
The Sims 4 Adventure Awaits is fun whiplash from childhood to adulthood, with Animal Crossing-esque bug catching, My Little Pony-like imaginary friends, a playable recreation of Love Island, and more
 
 
Screenshot of RuneScape character in pirate hat and eyepatch
MMO players get a sailing skill, immediately become pirates channeling a famous 2006 disaster: "Piracy as emergent gameplay is honestly perfect"
 
 
inZOI Character Studio trailer screenshot showing a young woman with ginger-y hair and a light baseball cap smiling to the side
After rising to "Mostly Positive" Steam reviews following chill Stardew Valley-like DLC, inZOI devs know you want "realistic tragedy, the darker sides of life, and unpredictable dramatic events" and more in future updates
 
 
inZOI Halloween update
After winning fans back with Stardew Valley-like DLC, inZOI continues its redemption arc by following in The Sims 4's footsteps with a focus on the afterlife
 
 
Half Sword
Steam Next Fest's first big hit is a brutal medieval combat sim where I bludgeoned three other peasants with a candlestick
 
 
Red Dead Redemption 2 Mortal Kombat mod
Get over here and marvel at this unhinged Red Dead Redemption 2 mod that turns it into Mortal Kombat and lets you Fatality Micah by pushing him in front of a train
 
 
Latest in The Sims
The Sims 4 screenshot showing a young woman with shoulder-length wavy brown hair and an academic green coat, her expression surprised
The Sims 4 legend behind piracy tool rendering nearly $1,500 of DLC totally free quits town and takes his loot with 'em, players pay tribute as copycats immediately try to charge for alternatives
 
 
The Sims 4 Realm of Magic
The Sims 4 fans left baffled as rumors suggest EA's latest life sim entry could be getting a remaster, despite ongoing support: "What will they be remastering exactly?"
 
 
The Sims 2
OG Sims dev says it's "critical" the series embrace diversity during today's "reactionary cycle" echoing '00s censorship efforts: "We will always go through this"
 
 
The Sims 4 Adventure Awaits
New Sims 4 Adventure Awaits expansion features "a really crappy design choice" fans wish wasn't intentional on EA's part: "This has got to be a bug, right?"
 
 
The Sims 4 Adventure Awaits
The Sims 4 Adventure Awaits is fun whiplash from childhood to adulthood, with Animal Crossing-esque bug catching, My Little Pony-like imaginary friends, a playable recreation of Love Island, and more
 
 
The Sims 4 Realm of Magic
The Sims 4 stans share just why they find the "record-breaking" $55 billion EA deal "extremely scary," citing everything from "concerns about AI" to potential layoffs and "more microtransactions"
 
 
Latest in Features
Warhammer Emperor's Children models, vehicles, boxes, and books on a circular wooden table
Warhammer, I am begging you for an apothecary in my Emperor's Children army
 
 
Walmart Plus delivery by a front door with Princess Peach in the foreground
These Walmart Cyber Monday deals are an absolute slay with record-low prices on consoles, games, accessories and more
 
 
PS5 and Nintendo Switch games on a green background with Cyber Monday deals badge
I've found some fantastic Cyber Monday video game deals so you don't have to
 
 
100 Nights of Hero
I'm not a fan of rom-coms or romantic fantasy – but the delightfully queer 100 Nights of Hero made me a believer
 
 
Picard and Ryker in Star Trek Next Generation looking at the GamesRadar+ Quiz icon
How well do you know Star Trek?
 
 
A spooky necromancer's city with a green sky in Heroes of Might and Magic: Olden Era
As Heroes of Might and Magic: Olden Era soars, Hooded Horse boss Tim Bender says passion-publishing trumps chasing money: "Why would anyone want to work with you if not for total lack of choice?"
 
 
  1. Art from Octopath Traveler 0 showing the hero being haunted by the images of those who burned his hometown, with ghostly images of the three surrounding an image of a town on fire behind him as he walks forward
    1
    Octopath Traveler 0 review: "The strongest entry in this retro-styled JRPG series yet, I love the greater focus on tactical battles"
  2. 2
    Sleep Awake review: "An all-timer horror premise is let down by tired stealth that I feel like I'm sleepwalking through"
  3. 3
    Metroid Prime 4: Beyond review: "The series' atmosphere has never been better, while being dragged down by a boring overworld and clunky psychic powers"
  4. 4
    Routine review: "This imperfect but wonderfully atmospheric moon-based horror leaves a strong impression"
  5. 5
    Marvel Cosmic Invasion review: "Excellent '90s-tinged superhero brawling across a punchy campaign falls just short of arcade bliss"
  1. Freddy Fazbear in Five Nights at Freddy's 2
    1
    Five Nights at Freddy's 2 review: "We have waited two years for a Five Nights at Freddy's 1.5"
  2. 2
    Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery review: "Brings Knives Out back to its roots for a sequel that's almost on a par with the original"
  3. 3
    Wicked: For Good review: "Builds to an incredibly cathartic conclusion, but isn't quite as captivating as Part 1"
  4. 4
    The Running Man review: "Some fun action and Glen Powell's star power aren't enough to energize this disappointing Stephen King adaptation"
  5. 5
    Predator: Badlands review: "Die-hard fans may be disappointed, but as a blockbuster action-adventure, Badlands kills it"
  1. Noah Schnapp as Will Byers and Jamie Campbell Bower as Vecna in Stranger Things season 5
    1
    Stranger Things season 5 volume 1 review: “Can the Duffer brothers stick the landing? It’s sure looking like they will”
  2. 2
    Pluribus season 1 review: "Easily one of the year's best dramas"
  3. 3
    The Witcher season 4 review: "The Henry Cavill-less fourth season is the best yet"
  4. 4
    IT: Welcome to Derry review: "A supremely confident step back into the history of Stephen King's cursed town and killer clown"
  5. 5
    Splinter Cell: Deathwatch review: "A pale imitation of the long-dormant stealth franchise"

GamesRadar+ is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.

Add as a preferred source on Google
  • About Us
  • Contact Future's experts
  • Terms and conditions
  • Privacy policy
  • Cookies policy
  • Advertise with us
  • Review guidelines
  • Write for us
  • Accessibility Statement
  • Careers

© Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036.

Please login or signup to comment

Please wait...