Virtual Families [Download]

by Last Day of Work

Product Features

• Fully Trainable People.
• Dynamic Illness System...Play Doctor.
• Over 100 Trophies To Earn.
• Game Day/Night Cycles Tuned To Wherever YOU Are.

Product Details

• Downloading: Currently, this item is available only to customers located in the United States and who have a U.S. billing address.
• Note: Gifting is not available for this item.
• ASIN: B0029LHY7U
• Release Date: May 6, 2009
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (27 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,692 in Video Games (See Top 100 in Video Games)
  • #1 in Video Games > Game Downloads > Casual Games > Simulation
  • #2 in Video Games > Game Downloads > Casual Games > Action
  • #2 in Video Games > Game Downloads > Casual Games > Strategy

Product Description

Virtual Families is a casual family sim that runs in real time! Adopt and nurture needy people on your computer and help them meet mates, and start families! Help shape the personalities of the people you adopt through praising and scolding, and then pass on the house to the next generation. From the developer of the smash-hit Virtual Villagers series comes the new casual game that captures the drama of life... Virtual Families!

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

32 of 33 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Slow gameplay, but does have some entertainment value., May 30, 2009

By 

J. Weiss (Flushing, MI) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

= Fun:2.0 out of 5 stars 

This review is from: Virtual Families [Download] (Software Download)

In Virtual Families, you watch/guide your little people through their careers, daily living routines (laundry, cleaning, cooking, etc.), and their families (getting married, having children, etc.) This a real-time game, which means that when you "quit", the game does not. When you go to play your game later, you will see that your little people have been busy in your absence. There will be new things to clean, food to buy, and possibly new kids around.

To me, however, I thought this game was very slow-paced. I do think it's cool that I can go to sleep, wake up, and there will be new things to do in the game. The thing is, when I am actually playing the game, I don't find enough to do to keep me interested for more than 10 minutes. I like to feel challenged, and I like a game to be a little harder than this one.

If you have ever played Virtual Villagers before, this game is by the same people, so the gameplay is very similiar. Fun for some, but just not for me. The game has a free downloadable trial (60 minutes), and I highly suggest you take advantage of that before buying the game.

28 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Good but could use improvement, July 18, 2009

By 

Midnight Oil "Bookaholic" - See all my reviews

= Fun:3.0 out of 5 stars 

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Virtual Families [Download] (Software Download)

Yes, the game is slow but I got used to it and i find it a relaxing way to chill out after work before bed. I like the fact it is a clean, family game and I am now on my fourth generation of little people. Things that could be improved:

1. The family pets are lacking in imagination and creativity.

I bought a dog for a family pet and it is not nearly as realistic as the little people. It is way too small and out of sync with rest of the game and does nothing except walk around, sit, and lay. They could have created a more lifelike version (like the people), one that barks, digs holes, buries bones, chases the gophers, plays ball, etc. I find this a bit peculiar, since the rest of the game is so well-designed.

2. The focus and goal of the game is too materialistic: you are 'spose to succeed by buying this and that, this and that (i.e. pool, pinball machine, various house upgrades, BBQ grill, bigscreen tv, and other non-essentials). I would not want to teach my children that the goal in life is to have MORE. In my book, success is not measured by THINGS you possess. So this aspect was a bit of a bore for me.

3. I think it would have been nice if they would have created outside visitors to the house, and allowed the family members to get mail from the mailbox. Just an idea, not a complaint.

Things that are well-designed in the game:

1. The thunderstorms are realistic and a cool part of the game. Very well done by the creators. It's also possible to buy and change clothes for all of them. In it's basic form this is a very nice game which i use to just relax before bed. Again, basic with a lot of potential if the creators will continue with it.

2. The game lets you continue on for generations. I am currently on my 4th generation/family. I am not sure if it allows a person to create new families indefinitely or if there is a limit. But this is very cool.

3. When one of them dies of old age it is rather unique the way the game has them give up the ghost. Freaks me out how lifelike it is.

4.The game allows you to change the names of your people, which is good because the names they come with are pretty awful.

5. The hidden objects are a fun part of the game. And some things are challenging enough even for adults to find.

6. There is nothing occultic in this game, and nothing violent, overtly sexual or otherwise offensive in this game. It is a safe game to leave your kids alone with. It is fun for kids and adults.

7. You can leave the game running when you turn your computer off and come back and your people have aged a few years, or you can choose to pause the game before you turn your computer off, and then pick up where you left off.

The game also makes "money" or household income (for the people) after you've turned your computer off, if you dont pause the game, so i leave the game UNpaused.

Overall, i would recommend this game to anyone who enjoys the virtual theme.

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Our Favorite Virtual "Villagers" Game Yet!, July 27, 2009

By 

LR7797 (Somewhere, But Not Here!) - See all my reviews

= Fun:5.0 out of 5 stars 

This review is from: Virtual Families [Download] (Software Download)

I always loved Virtual Villagers so when I saw this game come out I jumped right on it. I love it, it is so fun, there are hundreds of different adults to adopt at the beginning, w/ different careers and pay amounts. This game allows 5 save slots I have a game on all slots saved so I can keep the entertainment going otherwise one game at a time does get old after awhile. My kids love this game too. If you loved Virtual Villagers you will love this game! And there is no more inbreeding because it goes by generation, you have the parents then when one or both of them die you start your next generation by choosing one of their kids to continue with, you will get a marriage partner w/ the kids too via email. Enjoy!