I like:
-World looks fantastic, so lush and filled with detail.
-Lots of Sims passing really adds some life into the neighbourhoods.
-The game runs amazingly on my laptop, so smooth.
-I love that emotions affect skills and open new options.
-Great new aspiration system with different stages to replace lifetime wish from past games.
-Loading screens are short.
-Cooking and the addition of gourmet cooking.
-Power and water cuts off when the bills aren't paid makes the game a lot more realistic and is a nice change from the repo-man.
I didn't like:
-Memory icons from the Sims 2 aren't in the game which I was hoping for.
-Babies feel quite limited as they're more bound to their bassinet than in previous games.
-When Sims go to work their information panels become inaccessible.
-No maternity or paternity leave, would be nice to have the option.
-Phone calls from Sims are too repetitive in this game.
-Didn't like that there's not as much option for asking unplayed Sims information about themselves like in the Sims 3 about alma mater and career.
Suggestions:
-Weather, saw an idea in a Sims survey that suggested consequences for extreme weather, such as a house being affected by a storm.
-University Stage - loved both Sims 2 and Sims 3 university themed expansions.
-Bring vehicles back with more functionality, such as they were in The Sims 2.
-Minor, but I would love if the power outage would happen more dramatically (e.g. flickering lights).
-Would be nice to have a functioning school.
-Different stages of schooling, and introduction of exams.
-Teenagers to be lower in height than young adults/adults/elders - hard to tell the difference sometimes!
-I would LOVE an Open For Business style expansion pack (Sims 2) that actually contained a lot of content WITH depth in the interactivity.
-It would be great to have more notifications about what the Sims are actually saying or thinking when a certain interaction is performed.
-Again, I would love to see more rich information about the outcome of certain actions in terms of notifications, such as reviews for books written.
-It would be great if the neighbourhood could be changed in certain ways by the passing of certain laws, such as introduction of new recycling bins, proposal to build a town hall in future expansions, new facilities at parks.
-Also, the neighbourhood could be changed by particular events, charity events or family fun days at the park can be used as an example.
-Bring back seasonal events, Halloween, Christmas, Easter, Summer Vacations.
Overall, I am inclined to say that I love The Sims 4 so far, it is a brilliant foundation for the future of the game. Whilst still in its early stages, I am hopeful that fresh ideas in expansions and DLC can enable this new incarnation to breathe new life into the franchise.
EA Staff (Retired)
