Why have likes and dislikes?

Okay, so why do we have likes and dislikes? I'm trying to figure out exactly what likes and dislikes really add to the gameplay.

So far in the games I'm playing, I haven't noticed any particularly special behavior by my Sims. For example, one of my Sims likes cooking and he meets another Sim who also likes cooking. He asks about hobbies and the other Sim tells him that they like cooking. The fact that the other Sim likes cooking now shows up in their profile but that is about it. It looks to me like EA just reused a couple of animations in that scenario and they build a tiny bit of "friendship." But that's it. (At least in my game) Do you remember in Sims 3 how Sims would get really excited when they would meet another sim with the same trait? I loved that. With the likes and dislikes the whole thing is just kind of "meh." 10 seconds after my Sim finds out that this new Sim they met also likes cooking, either my Sim or the Sim he's talking to is walking away right in the middle of the conversation. (Like Sims in Sims 4 do) So it's like "yeah, you like cooking too...bye."

I can only speak for myself, but in real life if you were at some venue and you were really into gourmet cooking, and met another person who also was really into gourmet cooking, wouldn't you get a little excited? Isn't it at least somewhat likely that you and that person might get into a really great conversation? Maybe become friends? I know that for me it would be like that.

I think the problem is something that I have mentioned in the forum before and I'm not going to grind on it. I think the Sims 4 base game is inherently flawed. Whether it's EA or modders, simply adding more and more likes and dislikes to attach to your Sims is not going to really change the gameplay. Maybe I expect a little more but right now likes and dislikes as far as I can see, are not really adding "personality" to my Sims. My Sim is still just basically getting to know another Sim and building friendship. Same thing as before. EA added nothing to likes and dislikes to make it special. To make it a feature that adds to the "gameplay." Not just giving the players a short list of things to attach to their Sim.

And hey, if someone has suggestions or what not to make it better, please clue me in. I will appreciate it. :)

feedback

randy2355
4 years ago
I have found that the likes add to the "fun" motive for your sims...I had a sim that liked Jazz, and he was using the research archive machine (which does not have a fun rating)...the Jazz was playing, and he was not actively listening to it, but his fun motive was still rising, just because he was in the same room as the stereo.

Edit: I do see what you saying though, the likes and dislikes are kinda "meh"
VWoodsong
Seasoned Observer
4 years ago
"randy2355;c-17960148" wrote:
I have found that the likes add to the "fun" motive for your sims...I had a sim that liked Jazz, and he was using the research archive machine (which does not have a fun rating)...the Jazz was playing, and he was not actively listening to it, but his fun motive was still rising, just because he was in the same room as the stereo.

Edit: I do see what you saying though, the likes and dislikes are kinda "meh"

This is true. I get the feeling that the current system might be sort of a place-holder for some future changes/additions. If so, it could make likes/dislikes more meaningful. If they don't overdo things (as they often do) and end up make them way too restrictive to make much sense, that is.
Chicklet45368
Rising Traveler
4 years ago
For me, they're pretty pointless. I only set them in my save of my Interior Decorator. The rest of the time if I start a new game, I don't even bother to set any. It's like everything else in TS4 .... the concept sounds great, the execution is always lacking.

When I first heard about the Likes/Dislikes my expectations were like this:

Likes: Cooking
Expected Action: Autonomously Cooks

Hates: Dancing
Expected Action: Doesn't Autonomously Dance to the radio or music unless told to dance

Likes: Gardening
Expected Action: Autonomously Cares for Plants and Gardens

Hates: Painting
Expected Action: Doesn't Autonomously start painting just because there's an easel

And so on ..... And so on.
JaiSea
New Traveler
4 years ago
I was excited when I found out we were getting likes and dislikes, but I haven't even used them. The only thing I really wanted was to know what my sims favorite color is, because I try to make all of their outfits colors they like.
EnkiSchmidt
Hero
4 years ago
The effects are only noticeable when playing a challenge where every moodlet counts. Sims getting a little tense from doing things they dislike and filling their fun from doing things they enjoy isn't even noticeable in normal gameplay in a normal (even starter) house.
When you only have raw fish and the only sim who knows the nigiri recipe hates cooking, then getting her going requires a few extra steps. In the end that drawback added a slightchallenge (her teammates had to heap compliments on her), but nothing game changing.
Another time I had a sim who hated climbing, but had to participate in a mountain excursion for story reasons. His fun was was tanked, but he made it all the way up thanks to being very focused. Another sim, who was neutral towards climbing, died.
logionX
Seasoned Hotshot
4 years ago
I'm not fully sure how they work, I assumed that they would affect autonomy and what sims are doing but it doesn't seem to affect them too much, at least not with some likes/dislikes, sims that dislike making jokes sometimes seem to make jokes anyway and then they look annoyed at themselves or sims that don't like working out are spawning at the gym and are uncomfortable...

I think they could have tuned it when it comes to things like music and decor too, a sim shouldn't get uncomfortable from just hearing music that they don't like in the background and they shouldn't get tense over one decor item that they dislike, but if they listen to the music or if there are multiple decor items then I think they could get tense.

I do like that they get added fun from doing things they like, fun is the most difficult need to fill in my opinion, I don't want all my sims to play videogames and watch tv or wohoo all the time.

I do like them since they are a way to give ours sims a bit more personality and I hope that they will add more likes and dislikes and that this will affect more what they are doing when we are not controlling them and where the game spawns them as unplayed sims on other lots.
MasonGamerBoi
4 years ago
I thought Likes and dislikes was suppose engage more with personality, individuality, and emotion.

Sims would gravitate towards what they Like, and automatically do what makes them happy, and stay away from what they dislike, or be uncomfortable, Scared, Sad, or angry., if they had to do what they dislike.

Bringing a sense of fulfillment to the character. people could bond over common interests and explore their friend's interests, or even judge others.

I'm hoping it develops further, certain Traits and life states, can unlock more Likes and dislikes.

I'm hoping My sims will come to like/dislike certain foods, and automatically lean towards making/choosing those sorts of food instead of making something random, to be able to choose if your sim liked Savory, Spicy, Sweet, Fruity, etc.
Bmm209
4 years ago
I like them. I do see their effect in game. I wish they were used to make an attraction and diet system.
Jyotai
4 years ago
They're great modder hooks.

Romance and relationship mods have already used them as well as expanded them as a way to determine degrees of compatibility for couples, friends, even enemies.
Plumbob_Claire
4 years ago
To be fair the sims 4 was supposed to an online game (check the sims olympus), due to the disastrous debut of SimCity, the idea was scrapped and the devs had to hustle to make the game offline and single player. For that very reason I think this is why the base game is still lacking.

The base game lacks fundamental, complex and integrated coding. Therefore anything, and I feel it's fair to say this, that gets added as an update to the base game will fall short. It's harsh but needs to be said.

Likes and dislikes were added because the community asked for it, but that's just it, they added it. It's a clicking simulation game at this point. It's devoid of personality, complexity, reused animations again and again.

A team of devs needs to sit down and tackle the coding in this game.