Developers, You really did it this time.

"Bronwin2;c-16978612" wrote:
I was't sure about this, but once I got into it I found it quite enjoyable. I think it is a successful melding of story and sandbox. Once you complete the story line it can be complete sandbox or you can restart the story. It's up to you.

I strongly disagree. Unless you restart the story most of the supernatural elements disappear when you finish it. You either have to avoid doing the story to experience the strangeness of StrangerVille or go through the story and end up with a pretty normal TS4 world once you defeat Mother. So it isn't a successful melding of story and sandbox. All story elements disappear when you finish the story, and the only way to bring them back is by reviving Mother.

Story and sandbox are in fact mutually exclusive. They can't be combined succesfully because when you're following a set of goals, you're not doing sandbox activities (by definition sandbox is open-ended).

"Deenab;d-956205" wrote:
Omgawd even though I've already defeated the Mother, I LOVED IT. I've been playing The Sims since the franchise began and haven't enjoyed a pack as much since Makin' Magic (my favorite). The Strangerville storyline is fun. It never felt monotonous. I'm looking forward to going back in the game and playing a different strategy with another Sim. Well done.

Have you had a chance to start again?
I've revived the mother, asked her for maximum weirdness and created a brand new sim to complete the story this time. I didn't get the welcome wagon my first play through so hopefully they'll show up this time. I'm going to put her in that lot Romeo used in the live stream. I'm going to let the infected hang at a bit longer this time while I explore the town and replace/renovate some lots.

"Naus;c-16978626" wrote:

"Bronwin2;c-16978612" wrote:
I was't sure about this, but once I got into it I found it quite enjoyable. I think it is a successful melding of story and sandbox. Once you complete the story line it can be complete sandbox or you can restart the story. It's up to you.

I strongly disagree. Unless you restart the story most of the supernatural elements disappear when you finish it. You either have to avoid doing the story to experience the strangeness of StrangerVille or go through the story and end up with a pretty normal TS4 world once you defeat Mother. So it isn't a successful melding of story and sandbox. All story elements disappear when you finish the story, and the only way to bring them back is by reviving Mother.

Story and sandbox are in fact mutually exclusive. They can't be combined succesfully because when you're following a set of goals, you're not doing sandbox activities (by definition sandbox is open-ended). I recommend that you do some research to learn what sandbox means in the context of video games.

If story and sandbox are so mutually exclusive, why did Skyrim sell 72 bajillion units?

"OEII1001;c-16978775" wrote:
If story and sandbox are so mutually exclusive, why did Skyrim sell 72 bajillion units?

Skyrim's story is a side element to its sandbox components. The story, just like most side quests, can be easily ignored and do whatever you want within the boundaries the developers have set (mechanics, world, etc). A sandbox can have story and quests, but they shouldn't be the focus in a sandbox game. You'd seldom find a person who bought Skyrim for the main quest (Defeat Alduin).

The story is the focus of StrangerVille. You're either doing the story, or you're playing the same old The Sims 4 in a slightly different version of Oasis Springs. StrangerVille didn't add anything new to the sandbox core of the game. The mistake wasn't including a story, the mistake was making the story the focus of the pack and the main selling point.

TS3 World Adventure did a much better job introducing a story in Al SimHara (MorcuCorp trying to exploit the region) with branching paths but without being the sole focus of the pack. Like I said, it's 100% possible to have a story within a sandbox experience. But if the story is the focus of that experience, then the sandbox is relegated to a secondary role.

I hated sims castaway. It was too bad sims medieval wasn't integrated in sims 3. Now, I have both storymode and sandbox together... At last! Yay!

I didn't think I would like it when I found out you had to beat the Mother to get your town normal. But, I succeeded and kept this game as my normal game, LOL.

I couldn't help myself but to start a new game and try it again. I am really enjoying this pack!

I really don't want to play in the other worlds now. Seems I am a "resident of StrangerVille" now. It is safe to say.......this is my favorite pack <3

It's probably a great idea to do it and set it as your starter save for those that really don't want the Strangeness..
@FairyGodMother

"Hermitgirl;c-16979137" wrote:
It's probably a great idea to do it and set it as your starter save for those that really don't want the Strangeness..
@FairyGodMother

Yes, but it would be interesting to see if the ones that didn't really want the strangeness, felt like me. Beat the Mother and ended up enjoying it.

"drake_mccarty;c-16975409" wrote:
Hard to tell your own stories when there’s a literal story mode dictating what you must do. That’s anti-sandbox and against the nature of The Sims. I hope we don’t see anymore packs of this nature, but given how this pack allowed Maxis to sell barely any content for the full price of a game pack I’m sure this will be their new favorite format. Easier for them since they can just script all of the interactions to the story, and then use the story as the main selling feature even though we all knew this was no 3 hour story.

What happened to the days when TS/TS2/TS3 was for "everyone"? TS4 is the only so-called Sims game to completely veer off the path of what makes The Sims, The Sims. So it's no surprise really with the direction and why Strangerville even exists. That's fine if people like it or even love it but unfortunately TS4, as a whole, just does not work for everyone in mind. The Sims used to be one of the most unique games of all time but now it's turned into like every other game and lost it's core self and charm of what made the game special in the first place. There are a lot of factors that made The Sims successful and loved by most and sandbox gameplay being one of them.

I have already found so many ways to use the various elements from the Strangererville pack to create my own stories without ever touching the story that comes with the pack.

I have a botched attempt at creating a vampire that is now my Igor/The Monster that goes around telling everyone about how she adores her mother<(the one who messed up trying to convert her to a vampire).

All played in Forgotten Hollow.

This pack is very versatile if you want it to be. I do not feel restricted in any way. Having such a blast!