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And in that sense, it might just be the ultimate life simulator. There really is no 'point' or goal in Second Life, it is what you make it. What Second Life offers most casual users is a world full of friendships, imagination and a little escapist whimsy. Second Life has been the butt of many a joke over the years, in part fuelled by stories of user fanaticism exposed in documentaries like Life 2.0, however on balance it's fair to say that every online game has its more extreme participants. It can be a liberating, joyous, surreal and, for some, lucrative experience that's certainly worth trying out. Users control their created avatar to explore the digital world, meeting residents, attending parties, shopping in malls, buying property, crafting, creating and developing their online-persona however they desire. And, strange as it may seem, they might be right. Platform: PCDeveloper Linden Lab has always insisted that Second Life isn't a game, but a virtual world – a true additional online life. To help you find your next world, we’ve rounded up some of the best life sim games available:
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One thing is a constant throughout life sim gaming, however: whether toyed with casually or pursued with a dedicated fervour, the best life sim games can evolve into genuinely special and memorable experiences. Other titles, like My Time In Portia and Stardew Valley, provide gamers with a tonic to reality and a time away from hardnosed video games. There are titles, like The Sims and Second Life, which provide users with the chance to build and develop their digital selves, setting players up with extravagantly wacky, luxurious or futuristic homesteads and a characterful array of associates. Life sim games offer players the chance to escape the daily grind and sink into a new world loaded with possibilities.
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The ability to have supreme control over the lives of our digital avatars, rather than being some Freudian nightmare, is a hugely enjoyable thing indeed.
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