Clocks don't actually move in the Sims 4

"waterywatermelon;c-17805084" wrote:
@Sk8rblaze Many people think that The Sims 2 has all these small details, likely because they have watched the YouTube video about small details in The Sims 2. In reality, The Sims 3 has boatloads more in small details. In fact, when I play The Sims 3, I feel that I'm completely immersed in the world because of the level of small details. The Sims 3 University Life feels way more realistic to me than The Sims 2.

okay? it's normal that games improve some features from iteration to iteration. that ts3 has lots of details doesn't remove the fact that sims 2 also has a lot of details. i still play ts2 every now & then and it's noticeable how well done it is for being a game made 15 years ago.

"bella_goth;c-17805090" wrote:

okay? it's normal that games improve some features from iteration to iteration. that ts3 has lots of details doesn't remove the fact that sims 2 also has a lot of details. i still play ts2 every now & then and it's pretty well done for being a game made 15 years ago.

No, when people think of "small details", they immediately think of The Sims 2, not The Sims 3, even though The Sims 3 literally creates a more immersive experience than The Sims 2 can do.

"waterywatermelon;c-17805092" wrote:

"bella_goth;c-17805090" wrote:

okay? it's normal that games improve some features from iteration to iteration. that ts3 has lots of details doesn't remove the fact that sims 2 also has a lot of details. i still play ts2 every now & then and it's pretty well done for being a game made 15 years ago.

No, when people think of "small details", they immediately think of The Sims 2, not The Sims 3, even though The Sims 3 literally creates a more immersive experience than The Sims 2 can do.

that's your opinion

big brain time, i noticed that first day of installing ts4 and brush it off as it didnt surprise me considering most of the essentials features were absent in the base game, let alone adding small details.

"izecson;c-17805178" wrote:
big brain time, i noticed that first day of installing ts4 and brush it off as it didnt surprise me considering most of the essentials features were absent in the base game, let alone adding small details.

Those alarms were good when getting sims ready for work as they would wake them up even if their sleep bar wasn't full. Wish they would add an alarm type interaction on the phones.

"Sk8rblaze;c-17805213" wrote:

"waterywatermelon;c-17805084" wrote:
@Sk8rblaze Many people think that The Sims 2 has all these small details, likely because they have watched the YouTube video about small details in The Sims 2. In reality, The Sims 3 has boatloads more in small details. In fact, when I play The Sims 3, I feel that I'm completely immersed in the world because of the level of small details. The Sims 3 University Life feels way more realistic to me than The Sims 2.

I would definitely say TS3 immerses me in a different way, between things like the huge open world, the opportunities feature that makes it feel lively, the huge amount of gameplay skills offer (even after maxing them), etc. Of course, The Sims 4 lacks that as well.

exactly, both games are good & detailed and both offered new/different things too so i don't see it fair to compare them this way. i have barely played sims 3 but so far i loved all the gameplay. sims 2 as i said i play it more often and it's just evident the game is very good made. if people thinks about sims 2 rather than sims 3 that's just each person's preference. personally i've seen equal praise for both sims 2 & 3 while sims 1 has recently gotten a bit more praise and sims 4 gets as much praise as complaints lol

"crocobaura;c-17805201" wrote:

Those alarms were good when getting sims ready for work as they would wake them up even if their sleep bar wasn't full. Wish they would add an alarm type interaction on the phones.

Sims in The Sims 2 actually don't need alarm clocks. Every time the carpool arrives, the time speed will go to Play instead of the super-fast speeds. Plus, Sims will autonomously go to work if they are in a good mood. However, if they are in a bad mood, then the Sim will not autonomously go to work. You can force your Sim to go to work, but a bad mood will just lower the performance meter. You may as well call in sick and hope that you don't get caught. I think, if you get rejected, then you automatically get fired?

"Sk8rblaze;c-17805213" wrote:

I’ve been playing The Sims 2 for almost 15 years before that video comparing TS2 and TS3 animations was made. I never needed a video to tell me TS2 has richer animations and more detail in certain areas, especially with the objects I’ve mentioned.

What objects?

Sk8rblaze wrote:
Like The Sims 2, it'd be very nice to see clocks actually sync with in-game time, and objects such as chess, pool (which The Sims 4 still doesn't have after 7 years lol), bowling, etc. to portray an actual game rather than have pieces/assets just poofing here and there.

- Clocks actually move in The Sims 1, which is carried over to The Sims 2 and The Sims 3, but not in The Sims 4.
- In The Sims 2, Sims actually move the chess pieces around the board, while in The Sims 3, the chess pieces are more or less static.
- But in the Sims 3, trees sway in the breeze, and you can see moving shadows on the ground, because there is a real sun in the world. In The Sims 2, the trees are static. Haha. Beat that!
- The Sims 3 also has pool tables, and on top of that, it has Ping-Pong tables. Score for The Sims 3!
- The Sims 3 also has bowling; it comes with University Life EP.

I would argue that The Sims 3 - with its own collection of expansion packs, each of which packed with content - has more "small details" than The Sims 2 and just as rich as The Sims 2.

I would definitely say TS3 immerses me in a different way, between things like the huge open world, the opportunities feature that makes it feel lively, the huge amount of gameplay skills offer (even after maxing them), etc. Of course, The Sims 4 lacks that as well.

- The open world feature is a big plus for TS3.
- There are loads of opportunities in TS3 - far more than in TS2. In The Sims 2, you just get career-related chance cards, hobby-related chance cards and maybe some job opportunities. But The Sims 3 goes above and beyond.
- The Sims 3 also has active careers for the first time. In TS2, all careers are text-based. However, The Sims 2 Open For Business allows your Sims to open up shop, and with this method, you can have a doctor owning the hospital or small clinic. The OFB expansion has the best method for running a business, in ways that The Sims 3 Ambitions or The Sims 4 Get To Work can't compare. You are given a pretty large neighborhood - Bluewater Village - with some pre-made families, and you can sell anything! The Sims 3 has the consignment shop, but you don't get to see who has purchased your item. The Sims 4 is pretty limiting in scope compared to The Sims 2 OFB.
- But, I still like The Sims 3 Ambitions for having the ability to become a venture capitalist - buying land capital, investing and upgrading the land and profiting off the land. I suppose there is this feature in TS2, but you may have to work your way up to Rank 10 Business, then sell off that business deed to a Townie (who most likely has unlimited funds) or a super-rich playable Sim.

bella_goth wrote:
exactly, both games are good & detailed and both offered new/different things too so i don't see it fair to compare them this way. i have barely played sims 3 but so far i loved all the gameplay. sims 2 as i said i play it more often and it's just evident the game is very good made. if people thinks about sims 2 rather than sims 3 that's just each person's preference. personally i've seen equal praise for both sims 2 & 3 while sims 1 has recently gotten a bit more praise and sims 4 gets as much praise as complaints lol

I was talking about the fact that some people only mention TS2 as "having small details", as if TS3 is lacking in this department. No, it's not. There are "small details" in TS3 that are not in TS2, and they are just as rich as TS2 ones.

"waterywatermelon;c-17805298" wrote:

"crocobaura;c-17805201" wrote:

Those alarms were good when getting sims ready for work as they would wake them up even if their sleep bar wasn't full. Wish they would add an alarm type interaction on the phones.

Sims in The Sims 2 actually don't need alarm clocks. Every time the carpool arrives, the time speed will go to Play instead of the super-fast speeds. Plus, Sims will autonomously go to work if they are in a good mood. However, if they are in a bad mood, then the Sim will not autonomously go to work. You can force your Sim to go to work, but a bad mood will just lower the performance meter. You may as well call in sick and hope that you don't get caught. I think, if you get rejected, then you automatically get fired?

"Sk8rblaze;c-17805213" wrote:

I’ve been playing The Sims 2 for almost 15 years before that video comparing TS2 and TS3 animations was made. I never needed a video to tell me TS2 has richer animations and more detail in certain areas, especially with the objects I’ve mentioned.

What objects?

Sk8rblaze wrote:
Like The Sims 2, it'd be very nice to see clocks actually sync with in-game time, and objects such as chess, pool (which The Sims 4 still doesn't have after 7 years lol), bowling, etc. to portray an actual game rather than have pieces/assets just poofing here and there.

- Clocks actually move in The Sims 1, which is carried over to The Sims 2 and The Sims 3, but not in The Sims 4.
- In The Sims 2, Sims actually move the chess pieces around the board, while in The Sims 3, the chess pieces are more or less static.
- But in the Sims 3, trees sway in the breeze, and you can see moving shadows on the ground, because there is a real sun in the world. In The Sims 2, the trees are static. Haha. Beat that!
- The Sims 3 also has pool tables, and on top of that, it has Ping-Pong tables. Score for The Sims 3!
- The Sims 3 also has bowling; it comes with University Life EP.

I would argue that The Sims 3 - with its own collection of expansion packs, each of which packed with content - has more "small details" than The Sims 2 and just as rich as The Sims 2.

I would definitely say TS3 immerses me in a different way, between things like the huge open world, the opportunities feature that makes it feel lively, the huge amount of gameplay skills offer (even after maxing them), etc. Of course, The Sims 4 lacks that as well.

- The open world feature is a big plus for TS3.
- There are loads of opportunities in TS3 - far more than in TS2. In The Sims 2, you just get career-related chance cards, hobby-related chance cards and maybe some job opportunities. But The Sims 3 goes above and beyond.
- The Sims 3 also has active careers for the first time. In TS2, all careers are text-based. However, The Sims 2 Open For Business allows your Sims to open up shop, and with this method, you can have a doctor owning the hospital or small clinic. The OFB expansion has the best method for running a business, in ways that The Sims 3 Ambitions or The Sims 4 Get To Work can't compare. You are given a pretty large neighborhood - Bluewater Village - with some pre-made families, and you can sell anything! The Sims 3 has the consignment shop, but you don't get to see who has purchased your item. The Sims 4 is pretty limiting in scope compared to The Sims 2 OFB.
- But, I still like The Sims 3 Ambitions for having the ability to become a venture capitalist - buying land capital, investing and upgrading the land and profiting off the land. I suppose there is this feature in TS2, but you may have to work your way up to Rank 10 Business, then sell off that business deed to a Townie (who most likely has unlimited funds) or a super-rich playable Sim.

bella_goth wrote:
exactly, both games are good & detailed and both offered new/different things too so i don't see it fair to compare them this way. i have barely played sims 3 but so far i loved all the gameplay. sims 2 as i said i play it more often and it's just evident the game is very good made. if people thinks about sims 2 rather than sims 3 that's just each person's preference. personally i've seen equal praise for both sims 2 & 3 while sims 1 has recently gotten a bit more praise and sims 4 gets as much praise as complaints lol

I was talking about the fact that some people only mention TS2 as "having small details", as if TS3 is lacking in this department. No, it's not. There are "small details" in TS3 that are not in TS2, and they are just as rich as TS2 ones.

Clocks in TS2 actually woke your sim up about 1 hour before they were due to leave for work. Just enough time to shower, use bathroom, or eat. In TS4 and TS3 we get that notice and by the time you read it and find out what's it about the one hour is already up and your sim is late for work.
We had pool tables and bowling in TS2 . Football, kicky ball, and basketball too. And lots of little games in the pool.

"crocobaura;c-17805303" wrote:
Clocks in TS2 actually woke your sim up about 1 hour before they were due to leave for work. Just enough time to shower, use bathroom, or eat. In TS4 and TS3 we get that notice and by the time you read it and find out what's it about the one hour is already up and your sim is late for work.
We had pool tables and bowling in TS2 . Football, kicky ball, and basketball too. And lots of little games in the pool.

In The Sims 3, it's actually 2 hours, and I find that 2 hours is more than enough time to get ready for work. The one hour in The Sims 2 is not enough. Furthermore, if there is a wall of text, I tend to ignore it or pause the game to read it. So, that beats Sims 2.

Pool tables and bowling return in The Sims 3.

The Sims 3 also has football, kicky ball and basketball (Store content). But, football is something you can buy from the catalog and put in the Sim's inventory. Same goes for the kickyball. You literally have to buy the kickybag and the football and the baseball to play kickybag, football and catch in The Sims 3. Kind of realistic, in a way. In The Sims 2, the balls just appear from nowhere. Basketball is part of The Sims 3 Store.

Sims 3 Sims can also snowboard. Bet you can't do that in the Sims 2! In The Sims 4, snowboarding comes with Snowy Escape, while The Sims 3 has snowboarding in Seasons EP.

The Sims 3 has festivals in the Sims 3 Seasons EP, and that one has lots of activities. Sunset Valley's Central Park is converted into a Festival Grounds with festival related objects. Sims can go to the festival and do an Easter egg hunt. It really makes collecting fun. The Sims 2, on the other hand, has the ability to go hiking and finding random stuff along the way, but you can't follow your Sim there. The Sim just disappears and re-appears on the residential lot. In The Sims 3, you can collect rare items from ALL OVER THE WORLD, and if you have World Adventures EP, you can go on adventures and take loot.

In summary, The Sims 3 feels like a goal-oriented game while The Sims 2 feels like a story-oriented game. Gameplay-wise, The Sims 2 can be quite boring for me, because there are not many goals. So, to make the game more fun and interesting, I create stories and backstories in the Sim Bios, Family Bios, Family Albums and Neighborhood Album. The stories add a lot of depth to the characters, IMO. But, if I were to just play The Sims 2 without any story going on, then it'll get dry real quick.

"waterywatermelon;c-17805340" wrote:

"crocobaura;c-17805303" wrote:
Clocks in TS2 actually woke your sim up about 1 hour before they were due to leave for work. Just enough time to shower, use bathroom, or eat. In TS4 and TS3 we get that notice and by the time you read it and find out what's it about the one hour is already up and your sim is late for work.
We had pool tables and bowling in TS2 . Football, kicky ball, and basketball too. And lots of little games in the pool.

In The Sims 3, it's actually 2 hours, and I find that 2 hours is more than enough time to get ready for work. The one hour in The Sims 2 is not enough. Furthermore, if there is a wall of text, I tend to ignore it or pause the game to read it. So, that beats Sims 2.

Pool tables and bowling return in The Sims 3.

The Sims 3 also has football, kicky ball and basketball (Store content). But, football is something you can buy from the catalog and put in the Sim's inventory. Same goes for the kickyball. You literally have to buy the kickybag and the football and the baseball to play kickybag, football and catch in The Sims 3. Kind of realistic, in a way. In The Sims 2, the balls just appear from nowhere. Basketball is part of The Sims 3 Store.

Sims 3 Sims can also snowboard. Bet you can't do that in the Sims 2! In The Sims 4, snowboarding comes with Snowy Escape, while The Sims 3 has snowboarding in Seasons EP.

The Sims 3 has festivals in the Sims 3 Seasons EP, and that one has lots of activities. Sunset Valley's Central Park is converted into a Festival Grounds with festival related objects. Sims can go to the festival and do an Easter egg hunt. It really makes collecting fun. The Sims 2, on the other hand, has the ability to go hiking and finding random stuff along the way, but you can't follow your Sim there. The Sim just disappears and re-appears on the residential lot. In The Sims 3, you can collect rare items from ALL OVER THE WORLD, and if you have World Adventures EP, you can go on adventures and take loot.

In summary, The Sims 3 feels like a goal-oriented game while The Sims 2 feels like a story-oriented game. Gameplay-wise, The Sims 2 can be quite boring for me, because there are not many goals. So, to make the game more fun and interesting, I create stories and backstories in the Sim Bios, Family Bios, Family Albums and Neighborhood Album. The stories add a lot of depth to the characters, IMO. But, if I were to just play The Sims 2 without any story going on, then it'll get dry real quick.

TS3 had most of the activities, hobby and skill objects stuck in the Sims 3 store so you had to buy them additionally. It was expensive and some of them were never released as standalone objects. You could buy the football net and the basketball hoop in TS2, not sure why it made it special that you could buy the ball itself in TS3. Personally I don't find collectibles so interesting, there is nothing much to do with them apart from display or sell them. TS3 had some good points, but for me at least was a very underwhelming experience.