I've recently answered a thread here about being a restarter (someone that just starts over and over and can't keep a game going). That made me think a lot. I was always a generational/legacy player. In sims 3 i went easily on one save to the 6th, 7th generation, although i've never reached the goal of 10 generations. But now, in sims 4, i can't. I get to the 2nd generation and im fed. I think this is because sims are just all the same. I always randomize traits (even before the official randomizer existed) and they don't change. I need to be constantly imposing rules to each sim. But its just not the same. In sims 3 sim's lifes unfolded because they had their own dreams and traits that actually influenced their behaviour. They felt romantically atracted to some sims in detriment of others.. it was more umpredictable, more interesting.So, i'm right now reinstalling sims 3 (which i don't play for years and years and i promise to give feedback here :)Who else felt compelled to give The Sims 3 a try after so many years?

I didn't try TS3 until TS4 was already out. I got a free copy with Late Night expansion pack which I played for a short time but didn't get into it. Then later I thought I should buy a bundle with Seasons, Pets and Generations. I ended up returning the bundle before two hours had passed (bough it on steam) because I just wasn't feeling it. I wanted to like it for the horses :( I keep thinking that one day I'll try TS3 again but it hasn't happened yet. My main playstyle is rotational, so that's one issue. I imagine it's better for legacy type of play so maybe it will work out for you.

I started playing Sims 3 late and it became my favorite. I've been playing for over 4 years, and I'll keeping going maybe forever. :) <3

I've never played the Sims 3. I have played the sims 2, the sims life stories and the sims 4

I mostly play Sims 4, but I've never abandoned Sims 3. I pick it up from time to time. :)

I played Sims 3 before I bought Sims 4. I don’t think I have played Sims 3 much after I bought Sims 4, maybe a little in the beginning. One of the things I prefer with Sims 4 is no maternity clothing, whatever outfit I pick for them expands through the pregnancy. In Sims 3 I never got past 3rd gen, in my main save of Sims 4 I’m on the 15th or 16th gen.

I'm giving The Sims 3 a try | EA Forums

PhantasmKiss
New Spectator
5 years ago
I loved Sims 3 and never ran out of things to do and explore. That said, going back after years, what bothered me was... the graphics. I can handle letting my game load while I go do something else, but it all looks old. Fashion changes and there's only so much you can do. Wait... there's probably tons of custom content. Maybe I'll rethink this...
MissyHissy
5 years ago
I play both, although Sims 4 more often these days. I still play Sims 3 because I've got long standing projects there and it has some fantastic qualities that I'll enjoy time and time again. I also still create careers for Sims 3, that helps ;)

Mostly these days, I'm playing Sims 4 for the pleasure of playing. I could never really do this with Sims 3 - there was always a problem, or a limitation I couldn't overcome. The simplest ideas ended up being exhausting because I had to go all around the houses to make the idea work; not worth the hassle, sometimes. Sims 4, however, has the quirkiness I love and the depth of character (I think I'm a minority here (as usual) because I do see the depth in their characters in Sims 4. I never saw that in Sims 3, though). With the Sims 4, I play for hours and with very few mods (none of the big ones, I don't feel I need them). <3
LiELF
Seasoned Veteran
5 years ago
I tried Sims 3 when it came out and I just couldn't stand it. Remember all the rage about Sims 4 before toddlers? That was me with Sims 3 and rotational play, lol. I also hated the way the Sims looked and animated - they're just so ugly. And I hate rabbit hole buildings too, so...you can probably see why it's not for me. :D

I did try it out again about a year ago and picked up a few EPs on sale for $5 each. I had always wanted to try out Supernatural, Into the Future, World Adventures, and horses. It didn't go well, lol. While I do love the depth of selection for Sim personalities, the general gameplay mechanics and appearance (and all of the bugs and stuttery performance lag) just isn't for me.

I really loved Sims 2, though.
catitude5
5 years ago
I played 3 until I couldn't play it anymore, it wouldn't reinstall. Sure, it had it's problems but was way more interesting than 4, so many more things you could do.
LindsaySeddon1
5 years ago
I'm part of a large group of people who tried TS4 when it first came out, hated it, and went back to TS3 for years, only to be pushed off of it by the constant crashes and performance issues. I've really had to force my interest in TS4, and I'm on it all the time now, but I do still find sim personalities lacking. I switch games all the time and have never gotten further than the third generation.
Sharooonia
New Spectator
5 years ago
I didn't like the Sims 3 when it was the current game. I barely played it. The graphics weren't to my taste. I didn't like the over complicated CAS with colour wheels, I actually prefer swatches. I didn't like how most of the venues were boring rabbit holes. The create a style thing was blah, everything was loud patterns which actually seemed rather lacking in style to me. Most of all I didn't enjoy how it would lag constantly even on a brand new computer that has way over the recommended specs for the game. It was altogether for me an unpleasant game experience that drove me away from the Sims series for many years. I've never once thought about playing it again. I didn't like the store either.
AgnesXX92
New Spectator
5 years ago
I am planning to try Sims 3 at some point.
simgirl1010
Hero
5 years ago
I almost chose 1, never stopped playing, but having not played in almost a year that wouldn't be totally accurate. I do plan on returning one day but I find it a bit difficult to actively play two versions at the same time. In terms of finding time for both and then getting confused about what features, cheats, etc are available in which version.
Haneul33
Seasoned Adventurer
5 years ago
Sims 3 was my favorite sims game for a long time, but Sims 4 has improved a lot over the years. I don't have the time to play both, so now I only plays Sims 4. If I had more time, I'd probably play both even though I know I'd find it hard to transition back to Sims 3. I've gotten used to 4 now and there are a lot of things about it I'd miss despite some of its shortcomings (like how easy it is to build).
Sara1010p
Rising Rookie
5 years ago
I have Sims 2, 3, and 4 on my pc. I play all three, but 2 will always be my favorite. I play 4 more than 3.