The Sims 3: Ambitions

Whatever dreams you might have, you can achieve them.

Don't worry, this isn't the start of Pocket Gamer's schmultzy sponsorship deal with Baywatch: The Video Game – that's still a few weeks off yet.

Instead, this is the life lesson The Sims 3: Ambitions wishes to throw forcefully in your direction.

As its name suggests, almost any real life career goals you might lust after but have no hope of ever achieving can be lived out during play - in between darting for the toilet and fixing yourself a snack from the fridge, of course.

Yes, despite the updated moniker, this is still The Sims 3, albeit with a slightly expanded waistline, the game's new career elements essentially acting as an extension to what was already there.

Taking a trip to Familiarville

As such, anyone who tackled The Sims 3 – or, indeed, its ill-advised expansion World Adventures, will know the score here instantly.

For those that don't, The Sims 3 probably has the simplest setup of all iterations of the series on mobile.

You control your character – which you're able to sculpt, both in terms of looks and personality, before the game kicks up – with a pointer, either to interact with objects by clicking on them, or simply to move your guy or gal to the area in question.

While menial tasks remain the order of the day – aforementioned trips to the toilet ignored at your peril – both The Sims 3 and Ambitions give you added freedom, letting you wander around the city that surrounds your abode and talk to and interact with people at will.

Tasks are equally voluntary, with suggestions popping up on screen at regular intervals that you can either take on board, or choose to ignore.

At your behest, you'll cook, you'll paint, you'll tend to your garden, you'll play music and you'll dance. In fact, you'll pretty much do what you did in the original game.

It's the subtle focus on jobs, however, that is the new element here, with the game seemingly steering you towards the career it feels best befits your character.

For example, set yourself up with a lad or lass that has a creative bent, and you'll find the game gently tries to push you towards a job that befits your talent, encouraging you to link up with those in the city's artistic district.

Tired township?

Is this enough for those who've purchased recent versions to fork out for another spin on The Sims 3? Not really. Indeed, even beyond the fact that differences between Ambitions and its predecessors are minimal, there's also the feeling that play is generally beginning to feel a little tired.

More than a year on from The Sims 3's debut on mobile – praised, at the time, for its conversations with NPCs – things are starting to feel restricted. Though their overall scope is no way as wide, it's arguable that Gameloft's Nights series offer a greater grip on interaction than is served up here.

There's also something of a disconnection between the new focus on careers and the standard elements of play.

Just what purpose, beyond being a touch annoying, having to have a shower every ten minutes serves when you're trying to make a name for yourself in your chosen field just isn't clear any more.

It's almost like reality, in fact, with life's highs interrupted by pesky lows. While such a level of simulation has always been the series' goal, by attempting to branch out and touch base with more traditional, goal-based gaming, The Sims 3: Ambitions arguably ends up falling between two stools.