What were your first reactions to Sims 4 base game on release day?

What did you first think of the art style?
I didn't care a lot for the way the hair was but I liked the rest. The worlds have always been beautiful.

Thoughts on the closed world?
I came into the franchise really late into TS3, so I was a little disappointed but I got over it.

What surprised you the most?
Positive surprise: The ease of Build/Buy, and even CAS features.
Negative surprise: Lack of things to do.

Which missing features did you covet the most?
Toddlers.

What were your impressions of the emotion system?
I thought it was an interesting feature but later became annoyed with the constant changes of emotions.

Were you able to continuously play without getting bored?
No. I went back to TS3 and played it for several more months. I had buyer's remorse really bad.

7+ years later, and the game has become so much better, in my opinion. I play it almost exclusively and I love it. It still has its flaws and there are still things missing--certain packs, bug fixes, etc--but overall I enjoy it.

What did you first think of the art style?
I was unimpressed with it at first and thought it was a downgrade from both the Sims 2 and 3 and still do with the FX effects and backdrops.

Thoughts on the closed world?
It felt more closed and limited than the Sims 1 especially with most of the lots being designed for tiny homes.

What surprised you the most? Probably just a couple things in CAS with the butt slider and pregnant Sims being able to wear normal outfits. I used to have to mod that stuff in with the Sims 3. The breast feeding was a nice edition too.

Which missing features did you covet the most? A lot of things for little Sims like babies being a object instead of a life stage. Took me back to the Sims 1 baby nightmares. Lack of toddlers was the biggest thing at first and why I joined forums because a doctor said I was going to die before a surgery. Thankfully I am still here and have the miracle of more time. Teenagers being the same height and looking like adults really grossed me out too especially with news events going on.

What were your impressions of the emotion system?
I thought it was a deep downgrade from the Sims 3 and still think it isn't balanced well even with the Sims 4 MMO root coding. Worst buffing system I have seen in any MMO game.

Were you able to continuously play without getting bored?
I was. More so when I was in high pain meds which of course I couldn't stay on after my surgery. There was a time before I discovered MCCC mod I was ready to give up on the Sims 4 completely back in 2015 when Outdoor Retreat and Get to Work came out, packs felt lackluster and communication between Gurus and Simmers was the worst I have ever seen it. Honestly thought the Sims 4 was going to be scrapped then and there. Family thread kept me going and felt like I found kindered spirits that loved their families and representing them in the Sims 4 as much as I did. We came out with many cool ideas thanks to spark fair's dedication for constructive feedback with the Gurus that ended up making into the game. Toddler release day was the happiest day and was nice to share it with amazing Simmers. I get burnout between pack releases when I have played through all a pack has to offer and gathered all the bug information. Bugs keep me from getting bored and offer some excitement and randomness with the game that sometimes I wish some of them would stayed broken. Like stretch skeleton one is one tenacious bug that is famous in the Sims games so like an old friend returning seeing it again. I love the randomness of life states too which interfere with the predictable emotion system and behaviors.