Overall I have to say I love the game. I have been playing every day for more hours than I care to admit.
What I like:
I love the look of the Sims they are more expressive and animated.
I Love CAS with an asterisk. (see my dislike) The pull and drag features are great, I like that you can change the walks, formal vs party wear was a nice touch.
Build is really cool. I am not a Sim architect like some people and in TS3 building could be a chore for me, though I really did want to build my own house I never wanted to spend too much time on it. The new build function lets me build without making it a chore.
Emotions are great and the benefits to current activities and job work well.
Group conversations and multitasking are a blessing. Thank you for that one.
What I don't like:
At first I did not mind the loading screens but they have begun to wear me down. It takes you out of the experience. I have a had time getting immersed because it feels as if my Sims reset after the game loads a new area. Loading disrupts the continuity of the game.
Friendships seems to deteriorate a lot faster then they did in TS3. I make a friend and if I fail to talk to them everyday they stop being friends. It does not seem as if group conversations or chatting on the cell helps much either.
Though I love CAS it does feel limited especially in clothing and hair. For instance typically play as a black male (because I am) but I was sad to see a lock of common black male hairstyles (no large afro, cornrows, or dreds, etc.,) There are only maybe 3 or 4 hairstyles for me to choose from. Clothing is more across the board, though I understand why textures are not in TS4 I would think that a wider color palate (or a color wheel) would be easy to include.
More jobs are needed.
Cars have to be added at some point.
Finally I feel that you Maxis tried to make this weirder sims weirder stories thing a sell point but it almost feels as it you are pushy us down that path. Though I like the walks some are SOOO exaggerated and cartoony. I don't like that no matter what my sims always take on the mischief or comedy skill. What if I want a straight edge sim that is not a comedian or mischevious? Sometimes it seems as if I'm being forced to play the game a certain way.
Again I want to state that I love the game for what it is so far but if these comments are taken seriously I feel the game will become even greater.
EA Staff (Retired)
