Sims 4 - First Impressions

[Camigwen]

I have to admit that when I first turned The Sims 4 on, I played for all of 15 minutes and then had to walk away. I found character creation to be difficult and frustrating, but then again, I was trying to make a simself and I can be pretty critical of myself. A few hours later I returned and attempted to make a sim I regularly use in TS3 and I actually had loads of fun doing it.

The same thing happened when I tried to build my first house. Build mode is really what I play The Sims for, and the camera angles more than anything were incredibly frustrating while trying to learn the new build/buy mode. I stepped away for a few hours and when I came back, I was able to approach it with new eyes (and I enabled TS3 camera controls). It is very fast and easy to whip up a nice looking house. I think I still have some learning to do for the fine tuning, but I was pleased with what I came up with.

I think my all time favourite moment happened in game today. My sim was eating a plate of food on the couch and her son came along, sat on the couch next to her and started doing his homework, while the two of them carried on a cute parent-child conversation. I LOVE the multitasking in this game. That moment made me stop trying to micromanage their lives and just watch it play out.

[Ellenser]

I would say it's nothing close to being a meld between Sims 1 and console Sims, and that's coming from a player who has played sims since the beginning and played many console reiterations. No where close to be a console experience, either.

If anyone is curious about how the game plays, you can look on Twitch TV to see gameplay-in-action and not highlights of gameplay as would be more standard on say, YouTube. I had initially planned on skipping the Sims 4 for at least another year or so, but after watching gameplay on Twitch, I was sold.

The game takes a while to get used to new mechanics, controls and interactions, but once you soldier through the learning curve, it's a lot of fun to play. There's a lot to do in the world, a lot to see, a lot to collect, new traits (and aspirations to get certain traits), and many new skills to explore that have never been in a base game (i.e. rocket science, programming, video gaming, mixology, comedy). Not to mention that it will serve as a very good base for future expansions.

I love how populated the world is. You go to a community lot, or even just on the sidewalk outside your home, and there are tons of Sims everywhere in every age group. I was worried about how the population would be when you get into late-game multi-generational families , but I haven't had an issue so far, which I am so thankful for. The sims themselves have really come alive in this game, too.

To my surprise, I'm really enjoying the content in the base game, content as in CAS content and build/buy mode content. I feel comfortable making a lot of quirky Sims with the options, yet I still love the clothing, hair, items, etc. that come with the base game for "normal" sims. I was worried about this considering how lackluster some content can be in base games, but I'm glad to see my fears were unfounded. I also love how when you go to a dresser to plan an outfit for your Sim, you can change the hair at the same time, and I also like how you can flip between different Sims in your household to change their outfits too. So convenient. I love the ability to hold alt to move paintings and windows around on walls, too.

[Gogowars329]

I've played about 14 hours so far and am mostly impressed. I was honestly expecting this game to be a major disappointment with all the announcements leading up to its launch but am happily surprised.

What I like:
-Ability to build on any lot
Being able to build on any lot that your sim is on is very useful for anyone when you want to make a quick change to a lot, such as adding in a wedding arch or a fridge, and then if you really want change it back. The best part is that you have unlimited money when on lots other than your own.
-Placing wall decor/windows at any height on a wall
Makes decorating a whole lot easier. The next step will be allowing multiple windows on one wall.
-Enlarging objects
Again, makes decorating a whole lot easier but also allows you to have a giant toilet if that's the kind of thing you like. It's now possible to take a tiny pot plant and make it large enough to be a centerpiece for the room.
-Peeing like a champion when confident
Just a cool little detail.
-Bars and Counters
One of the best parts of Late Night were the bars and I am so glad we now have them in the base game. The ability to make curved counters is awesome as well.
-Aspirations
I really like how aspirations are four different sets of goals as it makes the game that little bit harder. Combined with the level up challenges for careers, I find it much more challenging to manage both career and aspiration when compared to Sims 3.
-Emotions
Just adds another layer to your gameplay.

What I don't like:
-Demon baby
Whilst it has been fixed now I think seeing that may have turned me off having more babies in the game.
-Emotions overtake needs
I feel like I have spent more time focusing on keeping my Sims with a good emotion rather than with good needs. I think this is because the emotions are on your screen no matter what whereas needs aren't.
-Rotating objects
I have gotten so used to rotating objects with my mouse but now I must use the , and . keys.
-Plus the obvious stuff like loading screens (although I do see their logic) and the tiny neighbourhoods

Overall I really am enjoying this game. I think why some people are disappointed is that they are comparing to the Sims 3 at the end or the Sims 3 base game at the end, not at the beginning. I'm sure Sims 3 had many things like the Sims 4 that is disliked in its base game that has since been fixed.

[Ellenser]

Overall I really am enjoying this game. I think why some people are disappointed is that they are comparing to the Sims 3 at the end or the Sims 3 base game at the end, not at the beginning. I'm sure Sims 3 had many things like the Sims 4 that is disliked in its base game that has since been fixed.

Well said. I find it interesting to see how so many people are passing on the Sims 4 simply because of a few bad reviews. Last time I checked, Sims 3 was swamped with bad reviews when it first came out too (you can even go look at old reviews on Amazon to see what I mean), yet people seem to have a short memory. Oh well, 'tis the way things works, I suppose. I'll continue happily enjoying all of the new content in the Sims 4 rather than getting bogged down in the negativity.

[linmayu]

Everyone's said really awesome things, I just have a couple to add.

What I like:

The Sims 4 sims are SO CUTE!  I love how they interact with each other and how they do so many things on their own.  I never have the problem of sims that just stare at the wall when I'm not controlling them.

I loved sending my family's dad and grandma to the bar together in the daytime, and when they walked in, there were 4 or 5 random elder women hanging out at the bar that the grandma could make friends with.

I loved when my Hot-Headed single woman sim got SUPER ANGRY from using the toilet one morning, and then decided she wanted to kick the trash can and stomp on the trash.  I had another Hot-Headed teen girl in another household and the FIRST thing she did when her family moved onto the lot was to smash the dollhouse in her room.

I love how kids can joke about boogers and make fun of adults, and how sims have a lot of options for semi-obnoxious things to do.

I love how the game does not take 30 minutes to load and then 10 minutes to save.

What I don't like:

"Has To Pee" lasts 3 hours and then "Really Has To Pee" lasts a whole 3 hours after that?!  Who in real life sits there for 3 hours when they really have to pee?  And then they're doing the peepee dance walk everywhere they go for the whole 6 hours.  I guess I'll have to go back to Sims 3 anytime I want to play a disaster household with a lot of bladder failures because in Sims 4 I don't think I could make my sims pee themselves if I try.  Though I guess that's a good safeguard since embarrassment can actually kill sims now.  XD

I really miss the Inappropriate trait.

Loading screens are pretty slow for me, but I guess it's a good excuse to take a cue from my simmies and go do push-ups while it's loading.

[_Annika_]

I got to play at a friend's place today for a bit.

More things I like:
- You can save any time. You don't have to return home, or exit build mode to save. No more losing building progress because you want to be able to undo things if you don't like them and not suffer depreciation.
- Clicking on the motive that needs filling to direct your sim - such a time saver - no finding the toilet then clicking twice to queue it up. It also really saves on hunger when getting leftovers.
- Expanded handiness skill
- The notifications panel

More things I don't like:
- Having to start in CAS
- Some emotions supersede others. Playful seems to always jump the queue and ruin my inspired/focused mood.

[Namaya]

Well said. I find it interesting to see how so many people are passing on the Sims 4 simply because of a few bad reviews. Last time I checked, Sims 3 was swamped with bad reviews when it first came out too (you can even go look at old reviews on Amazon to see what I mean), yet people seem to have a short memory. Oh well, 'tis the way things works, I suppose. I'll continue happily enjoying all of the new content in the Sims 4 rather than getting bogged down in the negativity.

Ohh for me I don't pretend that Sims 3 was perfect when it first came out and even at the end there was still so much wrong with it. I actually played sims 2 for 4 more years before I permanently switched to sims 3, always saying how I was disappointed in sims 3 graphics and such. But just because Sims 3 also had many issues in the beginning and only got fixed later after a lot of patches and expansions, doesn't give Sims 4 the 'excuse' to do the same. I review games myself and for me it's important that a game (and especially a sequel) needs to be strong and complete from the start. When you need expansions and patches before it can compete with its prequel, then the developers did something wrong. I admit they also did that with Sims 3, and now they are doing it again. Im sure that in a few years the game will be amazing compared to sims 3, but for me it would have been better to wait a few more years and release the game when it is at that stage.

But ah well, time is money and expansions are even more money I guess...

[saltpastillen]

I can't tell you how much more I am enjoying the social aspects of the game since I switched over to the ts3 style social menu, now all available options show up and I don't have to rely on luck to the same extent.

[Dellena]

But ah well, time is money and expansions are even more money I guess...

I think that sometimes people forget that EA Games is a business with shareholders and employees and benefits to pay for those employees and they need capital for future developments, etc. etc. etc.  I don't begrudge them making money when they keep me so well entertained and they ARE keeping me entertained. 

I've had friends reading my "The Rodgers-Goth Family" story and all 7 have since bought the game (only one of them had thought about buying it before and even one of them hadn't had ANY intention of buying it at all).  I'm looking forward to expansions in the future.  Imagine how boring it would be to just get the one game and then nothing until Sims 5 which would be years and years down the road. 

From a business standpoint, it's a proven success in how they are handling the Sims games.  I don't expect to get something this good for nothing.  I'm positive that a TON of billable hours went into creating Sims 4.  Much of those funds would have come from sales of current games, including Sims 3 expansions.  Businesses require cashflow to keep the machine running.  And for me, long may it keep pumping out my Sims!

[hkmaja]

I'm really enjoying it so far! I've only played maybe 3 hours last night, and it was tricky finding everything and getting used to the new controls and play-style. However, the graphics are great, it runs well and the attention to detail in terms of personalising your Sim and making them seem more alive has really paid off, in my opinion. I warmed up to this much quicker than I did to Sims 3 (which I hated for about a week, and then loved with a hundred fiery passions), so I imagine this will hold many happy hours of game time.

I've spent most of the time in Create a Sim so far, having started two single Sims and one family to get some different experiences going. It does take serious getting used to having a closed neighbourhood again - I read a review which described it as losing spontaneity, which sounds about right. The multitasking and emotions once you figure them out are great fun though. And reading Carl's guide, I can tell I've only scratched the surface on majority of game mechanics, which is really awesome. Can't wait to play some more this evening!

In terms of expense, I've always found that even with the cost of all expansions The Sims usually pan out to be one of the best playtime-over-cost purchases for me, along with Skyrim and certain Final Fantasy games. So I don't mind paying more if it's going to sustain hours of entertainment, but of course that's something every player decides for him- or herself.

[Stormi71]

So I bit the bullet yesterday and installed Sims 4. Can't say I love it, but I don't hate it. I miss the open world. Seems silly to have to travel/have loading screen just to visit my next door neighbour. Slowly getting used to the controls. The Sims needs seem to decay a lot slower, which is good.
I really like the multitasking in it, except maybe drinking your juice on the toilet isn't the best idea! I like how my Sim can have a coffee with her breakfast.
My most enjoyable part so far (haven't played that long) was at the bar/club in Oasis Springs or whatever it's called. There were a few people sitting at the bar, so I joined them, and the bartender was telling stories and jokes, and my sim (who is a budding comedian) started telling outrageous stories and jokes as well. It was great to see all the sims react and laugh and then continue with their own jokes etc. Then my Sim tried to steal someone's drink (as they weren't drinking it), but the guy got up, walked around the other side and took it, and she just stood there with this confused look.
I miss create a style, because interior designing was one of my favorite aspects of sims 3. My 9 year old daughter (who really only creates a sim and then decorates a house) was quite upset last night when she played and couldn't have the shoes she wanted in the colour she wanted, and couldn't have furniture with patterns etc. She also was annoyed when I said there were no pools.
Overall, I can see the potential for Sims 4, but I can see myself getting bored with it once the novelty of the new emotions and interactions wear off.

[Franki]

My first impressions are this, 

The new UI, is difficult to use at first because it is different to Sims 1-3 but you do get used to it after awhile.
The town and characters are slightly cartoonish but it's not a big deal to me as there is more depth to the creations this time.
I will admit that whan I first heard about Sims 4, I was completely against it, I felt it was too soon between ITF being released and Sims 4 being released but about 3 months before S4 was released, I gave in and ordered Sims 4  (like many, I'm a sucker for these games).

I haven't really found much of a downside... with the controls set to sims 3, it's okay but still a little annoying with a touchpad versus an actual mouse but that's really a minor thing.
I personally don't care that there aren't toddlers or swimming pools, seasons or supernaturals... toddlers are fun but can be annoying after awhile, pools well I never really used them except to give the kids some athletic skills, supernatural and seasons, I always found myself turning them off cause they just annoyed me.

I am hopeful there will be a cheat for friends cause I am slightly annoyed that I have to constantly call, text or hang out with friends but they don't want to hang out with me, just so that I can try and keep up a friendship or romantic relationship. one other thing i'm not big on, is that there is no cheat to age up my young adult sim to adult (there might be one but not found it yet). One thing I really really hate is that if you don't turn off ageing for NPCs like the goths or landgraabs and they die off you can't start them again to re add to your area without starting again from scratch (someone may have an answer to that)

so far, reading through, I'm seeing a few posts from people that don't seem to be answered yet so here goes.

Echo (reply 52) - when you have multiple sims in one household, it doesn't automatically speed through to the end of the work day if one sim in your household isn't working that day. if you do fast forward through the day (household needs disabled) and say non working sim is skill building, the sim who was at work will take a few extra moments to return home after work..

again, Echo (reply 62) - there are more than just indie, classical and pop... most options come after you have mastered, Piano, Guitar and Violin.. You get the 'Listen to' and 'Appreciate' options after mastering your instruments, not sure if it's after only mastering one or all of them... don't use the stereo often. the full list I've found is Blues, Electronica, Alternative, Classical, Romantic and Pop.

Someone talked about fire alarms and if you have one does the sprinkler go off, I've had 10 fires on my starter sims lot and the first three there was no fire alarm of any kind, the next two there was the cheap smoke alarm, that did nothing but irritate my sims and burn along with the stove and a few counters (insurance wasn't very kind either), the last five I had the expensive smoke alarm that comes with sprinklers, each time I've found the sprinklers only go off after I've either extinguished the fire or almost extinguished the fire.. I did try waiting to see how long it took the spinkler to go off if I didn't bother trying to extinguish the fire, but it didn't go off at all..

Not sure if this is the right thread to ask in or not but is there a good spot to go get the fishing skill, it's just that I have a sim stuck on level 9 of the fishing skill but can't get anything more from the books and I haven't seen anywhere where I can go and fish, I could be missing the obvious but anyone got any ideas? I admit, I am a slight perfectionist and want every single skill to level 10.

linmayu (reply 154) those are okay options but I always get a giggle out of the 'Pee like a champion' option, kinda of annoying at times but still worth a giggle.

[Ellenser]

Not sure if this is the right thread to ask in or not but is there a good spot to go get the fishing skill, it's just that I have a sim stuck on level 9 of the fishing skill but can't get anything more from the books and I haven't seen anywhere where I can go and fish, I could be missing the obvious but anyone got any ideas? I admit, I am a slight perfectionist and want every single skill to level 10.

There should be little brown signs near the water that you can click on to go fishing.

[Drguyks]

Something I just discovered while playing: sims still insist on using the bathroom sink to clean dishes instead of the kitchen. I find hilariously ironic that this was toting to have "smarter sims," but they still go out of their way to access the sink that's almost the furthest away.  In all fairness however, it's the bathroom that's on the same floor and not 3 flights up. I play it when I wanna do a quick Sims play. If I wanna do more, I go back to 3. The cool parts are voodoo dolls and Cow Plants in the core game. I'm all about magic, fairytales, and supernatural ilk. It does have potential, give me a fairytale/magic/witch EP and an OFB EP, and I'll be happy as a puppy with a new chew toy. Can't wait to see how they handle paid DLC.

[Franki]

Something I just discovered while playing: sims still insist on using the bathroom sink to clean dishes instead of the kitchen. I find hilariously ironic that this was toting to have "smarter sims," but they still go out of their way to access the sink that's almost the furthest away.  In all fairness however, it's the bathroom that's on the same floor and not 3 flights up.

There is that and when a child sim does homework, they don't use their desk, they go and sit next to another sim and do their homework while chatting to another sim, doesn't matter what floor the desk is on they still go and sit next to another sim for a chat, even if you stick the homework on the desk, they will take their homework from the desk and go and sit next to another sim while doing homework... I see it as an unusual quirk in the game, they are supposed to be smarter but I don't see how the non use of a desk adds to making your sim smarter, yes they still do their homework but it seems more like a step down versus a step up from sims 3.