I have been playing Sims since the first game, played all of the games with all the expansions. I enjoyed Sims 3 a lot because the ability to visit community lots without having to save, have a loading screen or have other Sims freeze like it was in the Sims 2 made the game much livelier. I really enjoyed that ability. It is true that due to this decision, places such as nightclubs often could feel empty. It is advertised that because of the loading screens, community lots will be more crowded.
I was afraid that they copy the system of TS2, saving the status of the sims on the lot and only progress the sims you're playing. In TS4 you can still control the sims that stayed home, you can make them interact autonomously, build up skills or switch back and forth between them, although when doing so, it often resets the sim to the start of the community lot. I haven't been to a lot of community lots because it interrupts the game flow significantly, the lack of choice actually adds to that. While being at a nightclub I had to switch to the sim at home in order to make him go to work. I guess we will see more neighborhoods as DLC, enhancing the options with time, but probably for a high price tag.
This is a drawback, but of course the game has more to offer.
- The build mode and the new items bring some fresh air into the game. Building my first house has been a lot of fun. Although in some aspects I felt limited that there is no CAS.
- I couldn't really see a huge difference between moods in TS3 and emotions in TS4, for me emotions are less advanced. They don't influence gameplay as much as I thought they would be. The game doesn't challenge you whether you're being tense or inspired. The moodlets from TS3 were more challenging and advanced, doing certain tasks to change the mood really added to a great gameplay.
- Careers are different, it is more of a challenge to get promoted. Depending on the job and the job level, you have to complete various tasks in order to rank up. I don't really mind not having a rabbit hole but there a few things that really bother me, that shouldn't have anything to do with this:
You can't view the needs. I always stopped working hard when I could anticipate the sim would get stressed. I cannot see the fun bar anymore so I can't influence any of this.
If you choose to make friends or socialize you actually don't meet new people. Just your social bar increases, that is just stupid. It implies you can't meet your colleagues and the only way to make friends is by visiting community lots or neighbors.
Same goes for school, you cannot make friends.
- In TS3 your neighbors acted autonomously, they could have kids, change appearance or switch careers. I'm 10 hours in so far and 90 % of the population is already a senior. I have viewed every lot in both neighborhoods and they all have white hair, few have kids so I'm not really sure what happens when you play in the 3rd generation.
- lack of NPCs. There is no fire brigade, no police, no criminals, instead of calling a handyman you can just replace broken things.
- The multitasking is great, eating and talking or eating and watching tv for example make the interactions and gameplay more advanced.
- I'm having problems to maintain a daily routine, days can feel too short sometimes but I guess that is just a mater of familiarizing with the game. I feel that certain tasks take less time which is weird in this context.
- It is annoying that the interface for your needs disappear often. Make me press O often. That seems intended, but I like to be in control.
I can't think of more right now, I'm curious if they can maintain the short loading screens and the overall good performance when they add expansions and content. This has been a problem of previous games, if after EP5 I have to wait a minute instead of a few seconds while traveling, the decision to abandon the open world concept could break the game and make it feel like a step back.
EA Staff (Retired)
