I was asked once how you understand what they say if they don't say it in my language, but you do because of the story in your head...that's what is so great about this game. It's all up to you how you want to play. Many simmers play with the dark side, and many play with the family side and some are combined, but it is your story that you want to "tell". To me TS2 was the best when it came to creative play. I even started writing short stories about my play. TS3 had the stories but was so much fun in creating situations and affect, TS4 is fun but is still being written and totally different when it comes to playing it.