I completely agree. I think there should be more traits, wants and fears, aspiration bars, interests (Sims 2 style), memories, grocery stores (Sims 2 style), bookstores, clothings stores that matter (Sims 2 style again where you had to pay to change your outfit), all the Sims 2 interactions with people (different types of hugs, different ways to kiss, talking about interests vs chatting), and so so much more. I really find Sims 4 unplayable. I think it’s fantastic if you are a builder but I am not, I always loved the lore and story telling. I want the ability to customize and create your own neighborhood back again too, even if it has to be that insanely complicated tool program the Sims 3 had. Sort of reaching for the stars with this one but I would loveee a way to customize a neighborhood to have like a “town secret” that the townies can gossip about but your sim has to like befriend a townie to understand or investigate. Idk how this would happen but I think that would be so much fun to play. Another thing I’d like back is when you are a writer in the Sims 2 and completed a book you got to write a summary of the book, pick those icons that I think was the unfolding of the plot, then you chose your book cover. It was such an amazing detail that I absolutely loved.
I really don’t vibe with how much emphasis there is on emotions in the Sims 4. I feel like the emotions don’t make sense half the time so it really makes them empty and meaningless. I think Sims 3 moodlets worked completely fine too. I don’t like the idea that emotions are the only things that drive actions.
I also think the aspirations and rewards should reflect the packs too. Why wouldn’t “Get to Work” come with new aspirations about being a world famous surgeon? Or the cats and dogs come with the aspiration to save a 100 animals lives by becoming a vet? It makes no sense to me why completing the botanist aspiration makes you repel fire...? Why not the ability to become a plantsim or something about becoming Mother Nature herself? I think Sims 3 did an amazing job at having the traits actually mean something (also we need more trait slots) and how they could affect the Sims aspirations (a bookworm would actually help them become a world famous author).
Back to the lore though, I hate that Sims 4 is set in an “alternate timeline” from the ongoing story. It honestly just feels lazy to me. The Sims 4 reminds me of when a book you love is made into a movie by a director that clearly never read the book. I think at this point they should just make Sims 5 honestly. I uninstalled Sims 4 cause it was just continually such a disappointment to me and I’m sick of spending money on things that don’t fix the game.
