Open World of Disappointment
We know what you’re thinking—The Sims 4 came out way back in 2014, so why are you talking about it now? Well, we’ll tell you. With hopes of a better tomorrow officially cancelled, this catastrophic installment was the last one in the series (for now), and we can’t get over the disappointment. Forget about nostalgia, we’re here to break down every reason The Sims 4 didn’t cut it.
1. There Weren’t Any Toddlers
Oh, you thought we forgot? Wrong! It’s EA that forgot to put a whole life stage in their base game. It took years before they finally brought back babbling children, but before that, we all had to watch our babies grow into full-blown nine-year-olds.
2. Less Customization
The Sims 3 had just about everything we wanted in customization. That perfect color wheel let us adjust everything from the curtains to the shirt on our backs. The latest instalment, however? You were stuck with whatever they gave you, which wasn’t much.
3. No Open World Exploration
Don’t even talk to us about this. How are you going to have an open-world game without the open world? While the feature wasn’t technically promised to us, it’s crazy to think that we went from cars and neighboring areas to theme music on a loading screen.
włodi from London, UK on Wikimedia
4. Bland Food
Do you remember whipping up filet mignon in The Sims 2? Players were treated to a whole plate of delicious, animated food that actually resembled its real-life counterpart. Something about The Sims 4 dishes just feels lifeless and bare minimum, especially compared to its predecessor.
amirali mirhashemian on Unsplash
5. Expensive Expansion Packs
The Sims was always kind of a cash grab, but The Sims 4 is our biggest offender. You’re going to charge us ten whole dollars for a handful of dining chairs? Worse still, you expect almost 50 dollars to include pets? The packs might’ve been easier to ignore if the base game had more features.
6. It Didn’t Have Pools at First
It’s bad enough that the pool floaties went missing, but they took the whole thing, too. Toddlers and pools were gone with the wind when the game first launched. They were eventually brought back, but that was a nasty surprise at first.
7. Soulless Sims
Part of the charm of The Sims series is knowing that your Sims get into their own shenanigans. Who doesn’t want to toggle back to their house only to find it on fire? Sure, you’ll have to sell some windows to make up the damage, but at least our Sims cooked meals! In The Sims 4, they mostly stayed put until you controlled them.
8. Fewer Traits Available
Look, part of Sim creation is making at least one black sheep of the household—that includes a socially awkward never-nude who’s easily bored. The Sims 4 practically slashed their traits in half, leaving behind lackluster options that took out all the fun.
9. Too Many Bugs
Play it on a console or fire up your computer; either way, you’re going to experience a few bugs. The odd, terrifying glitch hardly deterred us before, but such a lifeless instalment could at least come with smooth-running gameplay.
10. No Real Story Progression
To The Sims 4’s credit, our Sims can still technically pass away. However, we’d hardly call that new and improved story progression. Compared to The Sims 3, it’s weird to see such a bare bones world, one without neighbors moving in or families expanding with adopted children and pets.
11. Lack of Personality in Your Sim
You know, back in the day, if you gave your Sim a crazy trait, they’d act like it. Kleptomania snuck into their jobs and ruined relationships—it was amazing. In The Sims 4, however, it doesn’t really matter what traits they have. Everyone just shambles around like a husk.
12. There’s No Push for Aspirations
Our Sims had dreams! They wanted to be the next great writer! Come time for The Sims 4, all aspirations went out the window. Sure, they might want a new painting or plan to smooch their partner, but it’s hardly the end of the world if they don’t.
13. Fewer Items Available
Oh, don’t worry. You have items available—for an insane expansion pack fee. If you’re looking for base game tsotchkes, you won’t find the same variety. We definitely don’t want to reach level 8 of our career just to unlock a stack of books, either.
14. You Can Romance Anyone
Have you ever tried romancing your polar opposite in The Sims? It didn’t go well, did it? Of course not! It’s not supposed to; that crash-and-burn scenario is part of the game’s hilarity. In The Sims 4, though, you can woo just about anyone without hesitation.
15. It Feels Boring
With so much missing from the base game (even after the tweaks), the whole game just felt…incomplete. They’ve thankfully added some amazing packs to up the ante, but even with apartment buildings and city celebrations, everything always felt a little off.
16. Sim Actions Make No Sense
Surely we can trust our Sim to eat breakfast alone, right? Apparently not. The Sims 4 automation encouraged our characters to make the worst possible decisions. Eat dinner outside. Leave trash on the floor. Circle the kitchen island with your plate. We can’t turn our backs for one second.
17. Fewer Funny Interactions
With such soulless Sims, the odds for peculiar conversations dwindled. For example, adulterous Sims could just get away with their crimes. They’re not really caught doing awkward things. They don’t even trip anymore!
18. Sims Don’t Have Lives of Their Own
You don’t have to worry about bored, rambunctious teenagers anymore. In The Sims 4, those little hellions don’t learn to drive or set up traps for unsuspecting passersby. Sims don’t peek in windows or steal your clothes either. Call us crazy, but we miss the petty crime.
19. Fewer Party Activities
It seems like a small thing, but the devil’s in the details. One of the best things about this series is the unassuming interactions, and part of its beauty was all the party invitations! Slumber party? You got it. Bachelorette parties? Count us in. Funerals? Sad, but we’ll be there. The Sims 4 only had a few options in its base game; everything else is only available in the expansions.
20. No Horrifying Phone Calls
“You have been chosen. They will come soon.” Call it a prank all you want—those phone calls were the scariest thing from earlier instalments! Bizarre as they were, they also added to the atmosphere, which is something The Sims 4 never did.
