When Does The Sims 4 Get Good?
The Sims has been a longstanding franchise with hardcore fans absolutely adoring each of the game’s iterations, but for new players, the style of lifestyle simulation can take somewhere between 10-20 or so hours to get a proper feel for the gameplay loop. After that, if you’re enjoying it, it’s likely you’ll want to play 100+ hours, but if you’re not initially enjoying it, it’s unlikely the game will suddenly click with more time committed.
What Fans Say:
Fans of The Sims 4 appreciate the game’s creative freedom and expansive customization options. Players love the ability to build detailed homes, create unique Sims with varied personalities, and engage in an open-ended gameplay experience. The robust modding community adds depth, introducing new features, characters, and items that the base game lacks. Expansions like Seasons, City Living, and Cottage Living have been particularly praised for adding immersive content and enriching the overall experience.
Additionally, fans admire the life-simulation mechanics that allow them to micromanage their Sims’ lives. The emotional and social interactions make the game feel dynamic and personal. The Sims 4’s user-friendly interface and regular updates have also kept the community engaged, as new content, packs, and fixes are consistently introduced.
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What Haters Say:
Critics of The Sims 4 often point to its reliance on paid DLCs. The base game is criticized for feeling incomplete, with many features available only through pricey expansion packs. For long-time fans of the series, the removal of open-world gameplay and the lack of key features present in previous iterations, such as cars and toddlers (at launch), was a significant letdown.
Many players also express frustration with technical issues like glitches and long loading times. The progression system can feel repetitive, and some dislike the AI behaviors of Sims, which can occasionally result in bizarre or unrealistic actions.
Aggregated Critic Commentary:
Critics have had mixed responses to The Sims 4. On the one hand, it’s lauded for its visuals, polished design, and ease of entry for newcomers to the series. The game’s focus on building and creativity has been widely praised, as the building tools are intuitive and versatile, allowing for intricate designs. The Sims’ emotional states and multitasking abilities were significant steps forward in life simulation gameplay.
On the other hand, critics have echoed fans’ complaints about the stripped-down base game and the heavy monetization model. Many reviews highlighted the absence of features available in earlier titles as a glaring flaw. Nevertheless, expansions and community content have salvaged much of the experience for dedicated players.
Overview of Sims 4:
Released in 2014 by Maxis and Electronic Arts, The Sims 4 is a life simulation game that builds on the legacy of its predecessors while introducing new mechanics and refined graphics. Players are given near-limitless control to design homes, create Sims, and dictate their lives. The core gameplay revolves around managing needs, relationships, and aspirations in a virtual sandbox environment.
One of the game’s standout features is its advanced build-and-buy mode, which offers unparalleled flexibility for designing homes and public spaces. Sims are more lifelike than ever, with emotions playing a significant role in their behaviors and interactions. For example, a Sim’s mood can influence their ability to perform certain tasks or how they respond to social situations.
Despite its achievements, The Sims 4 faced criticism for lacking features present in earlier games. However, through over 50 DLC packs (including expansions, game packs, and stuff packs), the game has grown into a vast universe where players can simulate diverse lifestyles, from living in a bustling city to farming in the countryside. The inclusion of free updates addressing community concerns, such as expanded skin tones and more diverse hairstyles, has also bolstered its appeal.
Similar Games to The Sims 4:
- The Sims 3
Widely regarded as a more expansive predecessor, The Sims 3 features an open-world design and rich customization options that many fans still consider superior. - Animal Crossing: New Horizons
This life-simulation game emphasizes customization, daily activities, and social interactions in a charming, low-stress environment. - Stardew Valley
A beloved farming and life simulation game where players build relationships, manage resources, and grow their farm, offering a mix of relaxation and challenge. - Two Point Hospital
For fans of management gameplay, this game involves building and running a hospital while solving quirky medical cases. - Planet Zoo
Focused on creativity and management, this simulation game allows players to design and maintain a zoo, complete with animal care and conservation efforts.
If You Like These, You’ll Like The Sims 4:
- My Time at Portia
A blend of farming, crafting, and social simulation that offers a similar sense of progression and creativity. - Cities: Skylines
For those who enjoy designing and managing expansive environments, this city-building game offers hours of engaging gameplay. - Harvest Moon: One World
Fans of life simulation and farming will appreciate the charming world and character interactions in this series. - Dreamlight Valley
A Disney-themed life simulation game with immersive character interactions and world-building elements akin to The Sims 4.