This is such a nice thread idea! :smile:
There's so many little reasons I love this franchise; so many in fact, that I don't think I'll be able to list them all. I think the first thing about the Sims that drew me in is the ability to create a story. Some of my earliest childhood memories are of me writing and illustrating my own stories, so it kind of makes sense why the Sims appeals to me. I love that I can create whoever I want, take them on whatever journey I decide, all while being there in the front row to watch it happen.
Lately, one of the things that gives me a warm feeling is seeing my sims capturing a new memory or reliving one in a meaningful location. It might sound super sappy, but an example is like...having your sims get married at the same place they had their first date. Or seeing two of your sims crossing paths in the same spot where they first met, or a group of life-long friends hanging out at the same park where they played as children. To me, it's seeing these little things that can very well happen IRL happen in-game that make me truly feel like the Sims is embodying a life simulation. Sure, the game has its completely ridiculous and unrealistic aspects, but I feel particularly happy when I'm able to make a character or their story more "human".
Another member already mentioned this, but I also like the escape the Sims offers. It's so great to be able to sit down and play a game where the problems in our own world aren't problems in our pixel-peoples' worlds.
Oh! And I can't possibly forget the feeling of joy I feel when one of my sims' whims matches their character or lines-up with the story I had in mind for them. I might as well be a beaming, proud mother when that happens! :joy:
The last thing I'll mention that brings a smile to my face would be some of the ambient sounds. I love the sounds of crickets you can hear at night, the birds chirping near the bird feeder, or the sound of the rain. I also really enjoy the little melody that plays when your sims get up the courage to go in for that first kiss, the giggles or babble of a toddler, the little "muah!" sound you hear when a sim kisses their partner on the cheek. It's all so good! I could probably go on forever. :lol:
