Is Sims 4 just pretty graphics compared to its predecessors?

Sims 4 has the nicest graphics and superior live mode game play, but sims 2 animations are the best. I really wish they'd start updating and adding more animations to sims 4. I won't compare build mode Because I don't really spend much time in there.

"Jasper7702;d-962365" wrote:
Is sims 4 just pretty graphics? Sims 3 apparently is supposed to be the one not praised, but yet it is! Sims 4 is pretty, but gameplay and bugs are just not allowing for it to surpass expectations.

What do you think down below, along with another question of wether they should raise prices to give us exactly what we want?

As I played each iteration I enjoyed the graphics. Some of the gameplay could be better in sims 4 but I can think of some of the packs in sims 2 and 3 were lacking in gameplay as well. There were a ton of bugs in sims 3 that did not get addressed that needed mods to fix it.
Anyway I tried going back playing past iteractions but they seem lacking to me now although I enjoyed the games. Just my opinion. :)

"silentcyborg;c-17148269" wrote:
I feel Sims 4 has a lot of potential, but currently, it does feel like style over substance. The things, in my opinion, it does better than other sims games are:

BB
Although it is missing some features from previous games (would love stair variations!), building is a lot easier in S4, and less stressful. Not sure about 2 and 1 but in sims 3, I had to go to edit town to save. The game had a bad habit of crashing halfway through building, so although there were cool things like curved stairs, more often than not, I would end up losing house progress because of this. The ability to search is also great in S4, as well as the ability to move/copy rooms.

CAS
While genetics such as hair colour and eye colour are a step back from 3, clothing categories, age (excl. toddlers and kids), and gender aren't restricted in S4, which gives way more options. I hated creating elders in S3 because they barely had any nice clothes, even with the added on expansions. If I wanted to do a traditional elderly witch, I could have all her clothing match the supernatural theme, except for outwear, where they put 1 supernatural skirt in the category, but no tops. So her outfit would look really weird, and not match the 1800's vibe I was going for.

Where S4 really falls down is gameplay. For a while, I played S3 with only Late Night, Supernatural and High End Loft Stuff installed, and I did not get bored. There felt like so much to do, and sim townies never failed to do the unexpected. In Sims 4 though, non-player sims, even with full autonomy, are boring to watch. For example, if you visit a library in S4, sims will read books and do normal library tasks (expected) with little interaction, whereas in S3, depending on what traits your sims has, some will like libraries more than others (couch potatoes hate it) and do different tasks such as fighting, flirting, working together etc.

Traits in general also don't work as desired, because default traits (such as sad when someone is dying) tend to override a sim's personality. (I've seen this example given before, but) when someone dies around an evil sim, they'll get sad, instead of happy, even though they're evil and are supposed to take enjoyment from other's suffering.

Multitasking, while nice on paper, seems broken, since whenever sims are multitasking, they take 3 times as long to do any task (eg. eating, drinking) that isn't talking. It also feels like there are fewer gameplay objects and skills (eg. in IL, fitness is the skill for swimming) and my sim can get through them pretty quickly.

To make S4 more substantial, it needs better sims, as they are arguably the most important part of the game (being the title's namesake and all). While building and cas are great, they don't add much to the life simulator part of the game, which is how I got into the sims in the first place. At the moment, while S4 looks great, it often leaves me bored, and longing for more gameplay and unexpected events.

^ I agree with all of this. I love building and using CAS (I hated it in TS3, sooo laggy), but once I get into playing in live mode I get bored quickly. I think the game as a whole still has a lot to offer, and has come a long way from what it was like on release, but still needs work.

"SimAlexandria;c-17148305" wrote:
Sims 4 has the nicest graphics and superior live mode game play, but sims 2 animations are the best. I really wish they'd start updating and adding more animations to sims 4. I won't compare build mode Because I don't really spend much time in there.

I have no idea how one could judge Sims 4’s live mode gameplay as superior to Sims 2’s. I know, it’s your opinion and I appreciate that, obviously, but ... how, why. If all Sims 4 needs for you is a couple of more animations you’re a happy camper, that’s for sure.

"JoAnne65;c-17148499" wrote:

"SimAlexandria;c-17148305" wrote:
Sims 4 has the nicest graphics and superior live mode game play, but sims 2 animations are the best. I really wish they'd start updating and adding more animations to sims 4. I won't compare build mode Because I don't really spend much time in there.

I have no idea how one could judge Sims 4’s live mode gameplay as superior to Sims 2’s. I know, it’s your opinion and I appreciate that, obviously, but ... how, why. If all Sims 4 needs for you is a couple of more animations you’re a happy camper, that’s for sure.

I don't enjoy Sims 2 gameplay, I think because I don't like the personalities. there's too much personality so you can't totally create your own story like you can with Sims 4. For example, if I want my Sims to date another Sim but their personalities Clash, in Sims 2 it's really hard to get them together. in Sims 4 The Sims will pretty much do whatever you want and the personalities won't ever get in your way of your story line. they just add some extra fun little bonus interactions instead. I always find Sims 2 really frustrating Because of this hahaha! plus I don't like the looks of user interface but that's more just about pretty Graphics again LOL

But yeah, I really do love the animations of Sims 2 whenever I go back and play it. They are by far superior in that way and I think they just move a lot more naturally.

I wouldn't say animations is the only thing I want in Sims 4, I would like to see some more life stages added as well, like preteens, middle-agers, and preschoolers. But gameplay-wise, yes I'm really happy with it and it's the one that I can play for hours without getting bored haha

"So_Money;c-17147192" wrote:
It goes beyond graphics. Build mode and CAS, for instance, are far better than TS3. And no multitasking in TS3 is a big step back.

And loading screens are an big step back as well and yes Sims 4 is nothing more than an art show and while I may agree I do like the build mode and CAS, I do not not wish to stay in that mode. There are an lot of trade offs in Sims 4 that makes the game less than stellar. as far as multitasking goes in Sims 3 the game is older and the feature did not exist but Sims 4 does lack features that was present in older versions so that does not speak volumes for Slim 4. EA/Maxis deserves no kudos from me for various reasons. When they add an option for neighborhood expansion and creator with lot reediting tools then Sims 4 may have my attention but until then Slim 4 is an cotender.

My buying of Sims 4 packs is paying off in the long run as I now use all the packs to decorate the Sulani World and it is extremely beautiful and enjoyable to play. It was, and is a good ongoing game investment for me over the five years with more to come.

You can put everything from a Spa, bowling alley, StrangerVille bunker in it and even stay on another beach for days without having to take a "Vacation" if you use the tents and cooler bought in Granite Falls. My Sims' dog loves beach walks and is finding all the shells for her. I haven't done even half the things I want to do with it yet as I'm still exploring. I'm thinking of hiring a butler to tend the house as my Sim has better things to do with her life. :)

When I put one of my lots on the Gallery I was surprised I had used so many packs for it so it is not really worth putting them on except for similar players with them all or transferring easily to my other PC.

The graphics have been getting better and better since StrangerVille in my opinion. The decorations, objects and wallpapers were really well done and detailed in that even though I wasn't so keen on the immediate neighbourhoods.

I don't want to knock the other games as this thread didn't ask that question. Played everything but still enjoy this more. These packs could be the modern equivalent of buying one of the books or films in the Harry Potter series or buying a monthly magazine or online newspaper subscription. (both of the last two could be expensive too).

"SimAlexandria;c-17148511" wrote:

"JoAnne65;c-17148499" wrote:

"SimAlexandria;c-17148305" wrote:
Sims 4 has the nicest graphics and superior live mode game play, but sims 2 animations are the best. I really wish they'd start updating and adding more animations to sims 4. I won't compare build mode Because I don't really spend much time in there.

I have no idea how one could judge Sims 4’s live mode gameplay as superior to Sims 2’s. I know, it’s your opinion and I appreciate that, obviously, but ... how, why. If all Sims 4 needs for you is a couple of more animations you’re a happy camper, that’s for sure.

I don't enjoy Sims 2 gameplay, I think because I don't like the personalities. there's too much personality so you can't totally create your own story like you can with Sims 4. For example, if I want my Sims to date another Sim but their personalities Clash, in Sims 2 it's really hard to get them together. in Sims 4 The Sims will pretty much do whatever you want and the personalities won't ever get in your way of your story line. they just add some extra fun little bonus interactions instead. I always find Sims 2 really frustrating Because of this hahaha! plus I don't like the looks of user interface but that's more just about pretty Graphics again LOL

But yeah, I really do love the animations of Sims 2 whenever I go back and play it. They are by far superior in that way and I think they just move a lot more naturally.

I wouldn't say animations is the only thing I want in Sims 4, I would like to see some more life stages added as well, like preteens, middle-agers, and preschoolers. But gameplay-wise, yes I'm really happy with it and it's the one that I can play for hours without getting bored haha

That’s indeed clarifying for me because I actually can relate to that. I see the advantages of strong reactions and characteristics, but at the same time I feel the same downside as you do. For me Sims 4 takes it too far in the other direction but I can see now how that works better for you. Thanks :smile:

"MidnightAura;c-17148007" wrote:

"Simburian;c-17147874" wrote:

"JoAnne65;c-17147851" wrote:

"ScottDemon;c-17147511" wrote:

"MidnightAura;c-17147494" wrote:

"ScottDemon;c-17147444" wrote:

"Scobre;c-17147187" wrote:
Yep pretty much what it has going for it the most. I think it will become outdated even with graphics fairly soon just because games these days have better tech and graphics. I mean I'm even going to get the chance to try out cloud based gaming. They always raise price with each iteration and Sims 4 is the most expensive Sims game yet with the packs with packs totaling $600 so far and I wouldn't be shocked if it reached $1,000 to get the complete pack DLC experience.

Actually the Sims 3 is the most expensive. Back when the game was still supported it would cost $780 total for the Base Game, all EP's and SP's and if you throw in the Sims 3 Store well over $3000.

Actually that’s not true.

If you buy the sims 3 right now

Sims 3 expansions 29.99 x 11 = 329.89
Stuff packs 14.99 x 9= 134.91
= £464.80

Sims 4
7 expansions 34.99 x7 = 244.93
7 Game packs 17.99 x7 = 125.93
14 stuff packs 9.99 x 14 = 139.86

= £510.72

Not to mention sims 4 has an additional stuff pack and game pack on the way and three more years worth of content. Sims 4 is more expensive. That is a fact.


Excluding store content as that’s not essential and you actually get free sims points with every expansion registered. I should know as I have 8GB of free store content thanks to that and watching ads.

And that is today’s prices. During the original sims 3 run I didn’t pay those prices. I paid £10 for a stuff pack and £24 for an expansion.

Today's prices yes but as I said back when the game was still being supported EP's where $10 higher and the SP's $15 higher at least where I live. And I own everthing that was ever in the Store including all the Special Promotions and other stuff.

Not all regions where the same. Some had to pay more. So in my area it was in fact $780.

I’ll repeat: with Sims 3 (indeed a very expensive game) you have the full experience with just the EP’s. Nobody ‘needs’ the SP’s and on the forums I was active on back in the day when it was still under development, hardly any of the kids who played Sims 3 bought those SP’s. They didn’t even pay attention to it on that forum (which annoyed me because they did interest me, I wanted it all but that’s a different matter). What’s more, most of those kids didn’t even buy every EP. Not because they didn’t play the game, they did, they just didn’t have the money. Yet they played and enjoyed the game.

For Sims 4 I see a completely different pattern. People who like the game are clearly constantly hungry for more stuff, because what they have isn’t enough. They constantly need more, new, shiny stuff. And they buy it all, also because most GP’s are better than most EP’s for the game and they contain more than just stuff.

Sorry, but EA became smarter where it comes to marketing. You really think they left Sims 3’s sales strategy because they were concerned about your wallet?

Sims 3, basegame €59 + all EP’s = € 499. Sure you could buy a lot more if you wanted to, but you didn’t have to. Like you don’t have to buy everything a store sells, you can choose.

Sims 4, all in, by now (following what @MidnightAura says) = €545 and they are not done yet. And fans don’t want them to be done, they even get angry when you suggest it’s time to round up because there’s still too much missing. I love and loved Sims 3 but I never had that feeling when they announced Sims 4 and that was even before we got IP and ITF.

Sims 4 is a very expensive game. And that is comparing different versions in the same franchise. The games my son plays are like €60/€70 and he gets the full experience for that price.

At least you know what you will have to pay upfront with Sims 4 and not 3 unless you exercise control over the Store items. I don't regret what I've paid as I've built up the game from day one and played it almost every day. It's only roughly £100 per year for a hobby. I wonder what Lego packs cost or Fortnite addicts might pay out to get their loot packs per year or those who party and dine out? (Lego Dimensions... "The grand total comes to $334.85. And that's without tax." (IGN)

I might have bought a full game for £40 or over and only played it a week. I've done that with a few games in my long playing time. Sims4 still the prettiest and enjoyable for me! :)

But with sims 3 you do know, the prices are clearly stated and the game is complete. I posted earlier the total cost for the sims 3. Store is irrelevant as you don’t need the store stuff and indeed you can get parts for free via registration of expansions.

Sims 4 we know is already over £500. We know it will be a further £30 if you want the dlc coming this year but we have no idea how it will work next year or even next quarter.

This has veered Off Topic again.

But that's ok as I am a Sims 4 fan. It's in my budget plan. It is sad for those who come later to the game as they would have to pay a lot to get up to date but that is not my concern. They have the option to buy in Sales and I paid out the full amount. That is still OK.
I have a small fixed income but...
I pay over £1,000 for full broadband, TV and landline per year to get the most from my broadband package, £90 per year for MS Office subscriptions when I don't use it very much but it doesn't matter if you have a budgeted properly and pay per month. £500 over 5 year is peanuts. You have to get your priorities right in this life and maybe a few coffees less per week might help towards games, mortgages etc.

Sims 4 is my priority (after the basics of life) and it is still the prettiest to me. (Off topic I bought Barnacle Bay from the store and am now not regarded as owning it...now that is plum plum plum forever, plum Store). (I stuck in the plums but you can imagine them if you want)! :)

"Sigzy05;c-17147533" wrote:

"So_Money;c-17147192" wrote:
It goes beyond graphics. Build mode and CAS, for instance, are far better than TS3. And no multitasking in TS3 is a big step back.

Ok. Build mode? No. TS3 has curved and l shaped stairs, ladders, elevators, modular sofas, there’s celling paint, platforms, you can put penthouses in any world, you can recolor almost any asset, you can create garages, and so on....

Multitasking in TS3 is a step back but TS3 is not the sequel lmao. Look how manh step bakcs did TS4 take.

Yes TS4 is mostly a pretty game and nothing more. There are some instances where it improves on previous games but overall it always falls short compared to it’s predecessors.

Amen.