8 years ago

Observation of TS4's depth

While TS4 is still lacking in a bunch of areas (mostly the sims' individuality with traits/likes etc, reactions and family play with life stage differentiation), I have observed that TS4 does actually offer much more interactions and ways to communicate with other sims than previous games.

In TS3, there were much fewer social interactions. There were some great interactions that we don't have now which would be great to have back, but it was impossible for sims to talk very long without having to repeatedly use the same interactions in a short cycle. Basically, the main interactions were "chat", "get to know" and "tell joke." In TS4, we have interactions like talk about dreams, deep conversation, ask about (sim) etc, and they can discuss various topics, debate stuff, and generally have more trait- and skill-related social interactions. It feels much more immersive and personal to use these sort of detailed interactions than to repeatedly use "chat." I played TS3 a while ago again after TS4 and I felt the absence of good communication options between sims. Most people don't even realize this about TS4 but it's actually really cool.

While there are still many romantic interactions missing (like slow dancing and relaxing on the bed etc.), we have A LOT of romantic interactions as well. In TS3, I usually used a total of about 5, excluding woohoo. TS4 has a lot and even more are unlocked with certain emotions! I love "self-depricating joke" with embarassment and "frenzied kiss" with anger. While TS4 could benefit from some more steamy make-out interactions, they are pretty great.

Ways to communicate has also improved! Sims can be asked out to celebrate, to go on dates, invited to parties, be randomly texted and simply be asked to chill. Sims in TS3 could be asked out and invited to stuff but not as frequently and they couldn't text. These TS4 features make for some really nice stories and I find it cute when sims randomly text my sim. Vampires can also *offer* to turn your sim! That is literally so cool. I just wish that NPC's could also propose and you can choose yes or no.

TS4 does not yet feel as in-deph as previous games, but these points are pretty awesome. It is very focussed on social depth and though we need some depth in other areas, the game is only improving and we will get exactly that over time :)

What do you guys think? :)

alanmichael1
Seasoned Hotshot
8 years ago
I agree that on the social field TS4 is miles ahead of TS3 and I like that. But the price we pay is the loss of the unique TS3 world feeling.
ploppo2
8 years ago
TS4 seems more 'spammy' though - individual 'talk' to a Sim are over very quickly - 'deep conversation' is like as quick as asking them how their day is going. So, I find that I have to keep tabs - in TS3 the individual 'talk' items took longer, based on what they were. TS4's balancing of the amount of time each interaction takes seems to be to push towards the group chat feature (which we really cannot control - the Sims take over).
AFlyingNun
8 years ago
"Louise_G0325;915029" wrote:
While TS4 could benefit from some more steamy make-out interactions, they are pretty great.

Can we talk about how the sofa make out interaction looks like grandma and grandpa giving each other some light pecks? That's definitely not what my definition of making out is...
pebblesrcks
New Spectator
8 years ago
I actually love the group chat feature (except when in restaurants) Most times, I want my sim to meet a lot of people and build friendships with them at once and this saves a lot of clicks cos I can leave her happily chatting and go do something else.I don't know if it's a glitch, but the "invite to join conversation" option in TS3 never really works for me.
Lonewolf1044
Seasoned Spectator
8 years ago
"Louise_G0325;915029" wrote:
While TS4 is still lacking in a bunch of areas (mostly the sims' individuality with traits/likes etc, reactions and family play with life stage differentiation), I have observed that TS4 does actually offer much more interactions and ways to communicate with other sims than previous games.

In TS3, there were much fewer social interactions. There were some great interactions that we don't have now which would be great to have back, but it was impossible for sims to talk very long without having to repeatedly use the same interactions in a short cycle. Basically, the main interactions were "chat", "get to know" and "tell joke." In TS4, we have interactions like talk about dreams, deep conversation, ask about (sim) etc, and they can discuss various topics, debate stuff, and generally have more trait- and skill-related social interactions. It feels much more immersive and personal to use these sort of detailed interactions than to repeatedly use "chat." I played TS3 a while ago again after TS4 and I felt the absence of good communication options between sims. Most people don't even realize this about TS4 but it's actually really cool.

While there are still many romantic interactions missing (like slow dancing and relaxing on the bed etc.), we have A LOT of romantic interactions as well. In TS3, I usually used a total of about 5, excluding woohoo. TS4 has a lot and even more are unlocked with certain emotions! I love "self-depricating joke" with embarassment and "frenzied kiss" with anger. While TS4 could benefit from some more steamy make-out interactions, they are pretty great.

Ways to communicate has also improved! Sims can be asked out to celebrate, to go on dates, invited to parties, be randomly texted and simply be asked to chill. Sims in TS3 could be asked out and invited to stuff but not as frequently and they couldn't text. These TS4 features make for some really nice stories and I find it cute when sims randomly text my sim. Vampires can also *offer* to turn your sim! That is literally so cool. I just wish that NPC's could also propose and you can choose yes or no.

TS4 does not yet feel as in-deph as previous games, but these points are pretty awesome. If you compare it to TS3's base game, we actually have more detailed sims now, besides the favourites (which seriously need to be added, as well as a TS2-style attraction system.) Before Generations, the lifestates were also quite mediocre, and even with it, my sims didn't have much to do together. TS4 is very focussed on social depth and though we need some depth in other areas, the game is only improving and we will get exactly that over time :) I mean, look at how amazing toddlers are! Yep, I think we should be positive for the future :) *

*And please don't say "Plum the future we want everything to be perfect now." All the previous games took a few years to be truly awesome and they didn't get as much bug fixes and updates. We are also at the time stage where EA usually brings out packs like Seasons and Pets, so that will probably add loads of depth and fun in the near future :blush:
*I am also not blindly defending TS4. I am aware of the short-comings and stuff, but I also appreciate many things about the game.

What do you guys think? :)
I agree, but Sims 4 lacks in other areas where previous versions are stronger such as creativity such as terrain editing, lot creation, etc and for me that is important as well. As far as how much creativity and innovation that comes with each pack has changed and that could be with how the game is technically structured. As of right now one can only speculate how well the game will
improve, for time and how much EA/Maxis will share with us can only tell us. I agree Sims 4 has improved and also at the same time took a hit on building Apts, so many were expecting to build Apts from scratch and also in any neighborhood and that did not happen. As far as that coming at a later time that can't be determined to come at any time it is unless EA/Maxis adds w/o our knowledge or through proper channels.
Lonewolf1044
Seasoned Spectator
8 years ago
One interaction I like to see return is "Goosing"
linzstar
New Spectator
8 years ago
I like the interactions they have with sims and how sims show their true colors when ask a certain question. I like that I find something out about them before actually becoming friends first. I do miss the slow dancing between couples felt like that should of been an option even when their already dancing. But overall I'm starting to like TS4 more and more everyday. It took me a while to play it but there are pros and cons to the game but that's every game really. :)
ratsrbest
8 years ago
I do have one tiny gripe.

When I go to work with my Scientist Sim part of her job requirement will be to talk to other Sims. Perhaps 'share an idea'.

Is the 'share an idea' option easily available? Well, no it jolly well isn't.**

It'll be tucked in the Friendly options, about page 6.

Since the menu seems to be quite versatile and the same options don't always show up in the same place, would it be too much to ask for 'share an idea' to scroll up sooner rather than later?

**I'm having to work so hard today to avoid the dreaded 'plum'.
FlyingPotato659
8 years ago
I don't feel like the sims 4 pre-made character has a story to tell compared the sims 2 and sims 3 as they give you a very good description on what is happening like the sims 2 Cassandra Goth was going to be left at the altar on her wedding day which is a story to be told especially those mysterious things happening like the disappearance of Bella Goth and in the Sims 3 the mysterious unknown Lolita Goth ghost. I still think the Sims 2 is the best as they have given some sort of drama like into the characters.

http://www.newnownext.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/tumblr_maarjc6sTr1ql5yr7o1_400.gif
catloverplayer
Rising Ace
8 years ago
"DeservedCriticism;15642861" wrote:
"Louise_G0325;915029" wrote:
While TS4 could benefit from some more steamy make-out interactions, they are pretty great.

Can we talk about how the sofa make out interaction looks like grandma and grandpa giving each other some light pecks? That's definitely not what my definition of making out is...

:p