@AttackofCatalx, thanks for clarifying! I thought you meant cartoony in a bad way. 🤭 I think that TS4 has the best looking Sims.
Some people had an ok time with TS3, but they usually had expensive computers and had to use certain Mods to make it work better. My computer was middle of the road, but by the games' end it was almost unplayable, which was a shame because I really enjoyed Into the Future! ❤️😢
You wrote:
"I get simplifying the game cuz TS3 crashes loads for lots of people (mine didn’t crash much until my computer got older though as it crashed for most games by that point) but I feel like they’ve taken things out that otherwise could have been kept like travelling without load screens etc. "
The problem is is that these things couldn't have been left in the game--- those loading screens keep the game manageable; take those out and we run into the same problems as TS3 had! 😮😢 TS3's main problem was the open world. All the Sims in that world would have to be loaded in the game, and then they would all move around constantly. To make matters worse, when you went to a venue like a bar, park, or bowling alley nobody would be at that location, and usually they wouldn't even begin to head that way. Venues were like ghost towns! 😞 Then I would have to pause the game to search for other Sims to interact with, and that would take quite a while to find some. Then by the time my Sim traveled to that location, those Sims might not still be there! With TS4, every time I travel somewhere either there are people already there, or else they arrive shortly after! 🙌 Pherhpas there will be a way by the time TS5 comes out (if it is coming out), that will implement an open world better than TS3 -- if that is the case, then I would be OK with that. 🙂 But to be honest, I breathed a sigh of relief when I found out TS4 wouldn't have an open world!
I didn't find the TS3 dorms that memorable except for the Murphy beds! 😃 The best dorm experience was with TS2, even though the dorms were extremely ugly, the gameplay in them was fun! But that is pretty much the same for all of TS2! @SheriGR is right when she states that we were addicted to TS2. And like her, TS3 broke my Sims addiction (still loved the game, but I doubt I will ever be as completely immersed in a game as I was with TS2! ).
Yes, I've never seen a dorm with a kitchen in the U.S.! I didn't even know the UK had kitchens in the dorms until I saw a Plumbella on YouTube explaining this and that she was shocked that the US didn't have kitchens in the dorms! 😃 But like I said before, this is for fire hazard reasons. I used to work in a shop that sold candles and other decorative items and we would always get students that lived in dorms come to my store and ask what alternatives to candles and incense could they use to make their dorms smell nice. Pot Pourri was an option as long as you set it out dry in a bowl (as opposed to cooking it in water over a candle in a pot pourri pot. But the most popular option was a lightbulb ring that used the heat of a lightbulb to warm aromatic oils.
But I can see if how if you weren't' aware of these US restrictions in dorms how that would be confusing to you! 🤨
I do find it odd that some of the houses in DU are considered "student housing" and don't have kitchens! They aren't dorms , so I don't understand that at all! 🤔
I lived off campus for college and commuted to class everyday, But I did have friends who lived in the dorms. And yes, school rivalries are a big thing in the US, mostly due to the sports teams, and mostly due to American football. I think it is supposed to be like the houses in Harry Potter where you are expected to have a friendly rivalry. I have relatives who went to rival schools and they will "trash talk" the others . This is what @SheriGR thinks is overdone in the game. I agree in part: I don't think the rivalry is overdone , but I do think the autonomous trash talk is overdone, as is the detrimental effects that this has on relationships and reputation in the game. 😞 So, if EA were to tweak that , it would be closer to reality and much more enjoyable to players! 😇 I have one relative by marriage whose whole side of the family went to one school who is known for their fierce school pride and devotion -- she always gives my brother who went to a rival school a hard time, but in a good natured way. My brother doesn't get offended and thinks it is kind of funny! 😃
I prefer that DU has 2 schools! I didn't like that University Life for TS3 only had one school, especially after TS2' University had three schools!!! 🤨🙌 I don't know how it is in other parts of the world, but part of the University experience in the US is deciding what school you want to go to and then trying to get accepted. I think DU does a good job at this aspect! 😎 I also think that having more than one campus keeps it from getting stale, and allows for a little more replay value. 🥳
Well, at least you got a refund on DU! 🙂
It really worries me if you are having problems using cheats in your game! I'm not the most tech savvy, but it sounds as if your computer is having a hard time handling the game.😮 (In which case, you don't want an open world !!!) 😞 You can try clearing your cache files and repairing your game through Origin. It might help. 🤔
I know what you mean by TS3 Mods and CC causing problems! It is why I stopped using them and have never used them in TS4! I remember there was a CC doll that I had that caused my Sims to get spider arms and legs! Also, I had some item or Mod that caused the dreaded "Spike Baby"! 😮😢 So, I rely on expansions for my game items and gameplay as well now! 🙂
Yes, it is probably best that the expansions aren't bloated like some were in TS3. TS3's Island Paradise was known to be pretty much unplayable, even if it was fun and full of stuff. What good is spending money on an unplayable game no matter how many good items it has? Better to play a streamlined game and actually be able to play it!
Also, some of TS4's content is hidden. For example, there are hidden bar drink recipes, and hidden traits you can get by either having a child with Father Winter, or with one of the Island Elementals . Offspring with either of these will result in your child having a hidden trait! So by having certain hidden aspects, the game is actually a bit more complex than one initially thinks.
And as much as I love TS4, my favorite is TS2!!! It's gameplay was phenomenal and deep!
I'm also looking forward to the Community chosen Stuff Pack! I chose Arts & Crafts as my favorite category (followed by the Science category) and Knitting was my favorite activity. This is because I knit and crochet in real life, and I think it will be nice to have an activity that Elders will be able to do , as there isn't a lot that they can do in the game☹️. That is one thing that TS3 got right was its Generations EP! ❤️ I just hope the knitting skill will be able to be done by children as well! Most people learn knitting as children and it is a great activity for them! Children in the game also need more activites that they can do! (I also really wanted glass creation in the game, as I love glass in real life! ).
And @SheriGR gave you a link to Carl's Sims 4 Guide which in case you haven't checked out yet, you will find very helpful! 😇
I agree! It is always nice to talk to others about the Sims! 🥳❤️
